Remarks upon variations in Fruits. 87 



that they would prove, as described by European authors, 

 very superior; but when they ripened, in November, the dis- 

 appointment was extreme, to find them tasteless, in fact, 

 worthless. 



The next year, the same tree produced a few pears, not 

 more than half as large as those of the preceding year, of a 

 dull yellow color mixed with russet; they kept later, and were 

 found, on being cut, very delicious. The tree produces a 

 few pears every year, and of the same fine cpiality as those 

 just described. 



In the season of 1840, the Hericart pear tree (Van Mons) 

 produced fruit for the first time; the size was medium, form 

 obovate, color a yellow russet, the flesh melting and high 

 flavored. The last season, the same tree produced a more 

 abundant crop, the fruit was of larger size, more oblong, color 

 dull greenish yellow, but the pears were so tasteless as to be 

 immediately rejected as worthless. 



In 1839 — 40, the Calabash pear tree (London Horticultu- 

 ral Society's Catalogue^ No. 166) produced some fine fruit; 

 the shape was oblong, with unequal ridges running the length 

 of the fruit; the color was bright russet; flesh between break- 

 ing and melting, and very good. The last season, the same 

 tree produced a greater quantity of fruit, of a larger size, of 

 a bright yellow color, even in its outline, that is, without pro- 

 jecting ridges, and the flesh very insipid. 



In some years, the Beurre Diel produces fruit of a yellow 

 color, and on the same tree a few pears of a rough russet. 

 Those pears having the russet skin are always higher flavored 

 than the smooth, fair, yellow fruit. 



In fact, when a pear tree has a disposition sometimes to 

 produce fruit of a russet color, I have found, when the russet 

 predominates, that the pears are more delicious. In writing 

 the above, I merely state matters of fact; I never indulge in 

 theories. That accurate observer, Mr. Haggerston, on my 

 mentioning the subject to him last summer, observed that he 

 had noticed the same variations in the fruits growing under 

 his cultivation. 



The Julienne pear, which in most years is a very fine 

 fruit, has sometimes produced a crop of large sized and taste- 

 less pears. 



The Wurtemburg, Passe Colmar, and Surpasse Virgou- 

 louse, usually produce abundant crops, but many of thera will 



