250 Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears. 



his numerous seedlings, viz., the Elizabeth. At that time, 

 we had only made a single trial of them, in the fall of 1845, 

 but the last season, having the opportunity to taste some of 

 them again, we found two which appear well deserving of a 

 place in collections, especially those of any extent. These are 

 the Dallas and Calhoun — the latter of which, as Mr. Edwards 

 has stated in his communication above referred to, he consid- 

 ers " one of his best, as might be known from the name." 



The Dallas {fig. 20), is a fair-sized pear, of a russety ap- 

 pearance, and comes in at a good season, during November 

 and December, after the great number of early autumn kinds 

 are past and gone. 



Size, medium, about two and a half inches long, and two 

 and a half in diameter: Form, obovate, regular, full at the 

 crown, and tapering to the stem : Skin, dull yellow, thickly 

 interlaced, and, in some places, quite covered, with cinnamon 

 russet : Stem, medium length, about three quarters of an inch 

 long, moderately stout, straight, pale brown, and inserted 

 without any cavity : Eye, large, open, and moderately sunk 

 in a small, round, slightly wrinkled, basin ; segments of the 

 calyx medium length, round, stiff: Flesh, yellowish white, 

 fine, melting, and juicy : Flavor, rich, vinous, and slightly 

 perfumed : Core, medium size : Seeds, small, pale brown. 

 Ripe in November, and keeps into December. 



69. Calhoun. Ma^. o/ i^or/. Vol. XL p. 251. 



The success which has thus far attended the experiments 

 of pomologists, in raising new varieties from seed, should en- 

 courage all, who have the time and patience, to persevere in 

 the laudable effort of adding new kinds to our collections. 

 Most of the native sorts have a vigor and hardiness which en- 

 able them to withstand our variable climate, suffering less 

 from severe frosts, and freer from the attacks of the blight, in 

 localities where that disastrous malady annually destroys 

 many trees. No individual who plants an orchard of apples 

 would think of selecting foreign sorts. The Baldwin, Green- 

 ing, Russet, Newtown pippin, Bellflower, &c., would be cho- 

 sen ; and, if our apples are so much superior, why should not 

 our pears partake of the same character 1 If we may judge 

 from the Seckel, Dix, Tyson, Swan's Orange, Andrews, 



