J^otice of large Pear Tree in Indiana. 403 



this proved to be my favorite Gardoquia Hookern, in full 

 blooni. Although I was the first to introduce this plant to 

 Europe, I never had, until yesterday, seen it in flower. Then 

 to see more than an acre of it, covering the surface with its 

 scarlet blossoms, afforded me so rich a repast, some idea of 

 which may be formed by those who have admired this little 

 gem with only a single plant in the collection. 



I have thrown these observations hastily together, under the 

 impression that they might gratify some of your readers. I 

 have lost no time since I left the woods, for I am now sur- 

 rounded by that fearful and destructive scourge of all southern 

 cities, the yellow fever; and {)robably its mortal effects may 

 now be circulating in the blood of the hand which guides the 

 pen, and may soon render it motionless forever. If so, 

 adieu ! 



Yours, very respectfully, 



Alexander Gordon. 



Mobile, Sept. 24, 1842. 



Art. II. JVotice of a large Pear tree in Indiana. By the 

 Rev. H. W. Beecher, Indianopolis, Indiana. 



We have, in our State, a pear tree so remarkable, that, if 

 you have seen no notice of it, the following may be thought of 

 some value. We heard of it from various gentlemen, and saw 

 some notices in country papers, which interested us in gaining 

 better information. One of our nurserymen being in that part 

 of the State, we requested him to visit and gain exact infor- 

 mation. He is an accurate man, and his account may be de- 

 pended upon. 



This tree, one foot above the ground, measures ten feet in 

 circumference, and six and a half feet at nine feet above the 

 ground. The space covered by the branches, from outside 

 to outside, is sixty-nine feet; that is, the circle formed by a 

 line described around the ends of the branches, would be six- 

 ty-nine feet in diameter. 



In the year 1834 it yielded one hundred and thirty-four 



