PEARS. 191 



large, of a pyramidal form, having a thick and dotted 

 green skin, but which, while ripening on the floor, 

 becomes yellow. The spurious fruit ripens in De- 

 cember, remaining green whan ripe, and generally 

 decays by the end of January : unless the soil and 

 season be favourable, it is insipid and watery ; it is 

 shorter, and its form is subject to more variations 

 than that of the true variety. The true St. Germain 

 keeps in perfection till the end of March, and for 

 sweetness and flavour, ranks among the very best of 

 the winter pears. Mr. Coxe complains that this tree, 

 in our climate, is very subject to the fire blight, so 

 destructive of the finest and most delicate pears in this 

 country ; and observes that it would be highly useful 

 to the cultivators of fruit could the cause or cure of 

 this evil be discovered. 



35. St. Michael's or yellow butter pear. The same 

 as the Doyenne, or Dean pear. For the richness of its 

 flesh, and excellence of flavour, it is said to be infe- 

 riour to none except the Seckle ; and few pears are 

 more admired and extensively cultivated in the Unit- 

 ed States. The fruit is large, round, inclining to ob- 

 long in shape, fair and handsome; its skin glossy and 

 smooth, resembling unpolished gold ; occasionally 

 streaked and marked with bright yellow spots. It 

 displays either a blush or bright russet on the south 

 side. The flesh of this luscious fruit is white, and the 

 juice so remarkably cold that.it sometimes offends a 

 weak stomach, and occasions eructations, it should 

 be gathered before it is quite ripe, and matured in the 

 house, in order to have it in true perfection ; and it; 

 may be in use from the beginning of September to 

 the first part of November. The tree does not grow 

 to a large size, but is an early and never failing bearer. 



36. Summer Bettrre, or butler pear of summer. The 

 fruit is of the common size, of a bright yellow when 

 fully ripe. The flesh is sprightly rich and juicy, if 



