THE HULL PEAR, 



Hull. Magazine of Horticulture, vol. xi. p. 43.5. 



The Hull pear is one of the best of our 

 American seedlings. It is not so prepossessing 

 in appearance as many others of the same sea- 

 son, — having a dull greenish skin, more or less 

 ti'aced and dotted with russet, — but in its melt- 

 ing flesh and fine flavor, it is excelled but by 

 few of the autumn pears. It has, in addition, 

 all the desirable qualities which characterize our 

 native fruits, viz., a hardy and vigorous growing 

 tree, and an abundant bearer. 

 The Hull is believed to have originated in the town of Swanzey, 

 Mass. From a letter now before us, from Mr. D. Wilbur, Jr., of Som- 

 erset, who introduced the Hull to the notice of cultivators, and who 

 sent us scions from the original tree in 1844, accompanied with his 

 letter, we learn that the parent tree was then growing in Swanzey, and 

 appeai'ed about forty years old. It had not attracted much attention 

 or been generally known only a few years. The tree originally grew 

 in an old orchai'd, but some years previously had been removed to 

 where it then stood. There were no other kinds in the vicinity, and 

 from what pear it may have sprung no correct idea can be formed. 

 Mr. Wilbur states that " it is a prodigious beai'er." It is so unlike 

 most other varieties in its growth, wood, &c., that we have supposed it 

 must be a seedling from some wilding tree, and that this was the first 

 remove towards an ameliorated state, as practised by Van Mons in the 

 production of his seedhngs. 



The trees grow rapidly, making long, rambhng and rather slender 

 annual shoots, with but few lateral branches. It comes into bearing 

 moderately early. It does not succeed well upon the quince. 



Tree. — Vigorous, of a somewhat stragghng habit, making long an- 

 nual shoots, with but few lateral branches, and forming a loose irregular 

 head. 



Wood. — Clear yellowish brown, dotted with small grayish specks, 

 moderately stout, and rather short-jointed; old wood, dull yellowish 

 brown; annual shoots, long, curved; buds, medium size, slightly diverg- 

 ing : Flower-buds, medium size, pointed. 



Leaves. — Medium size, obovate, broadest neai- the base, tapering to 

 the point, which is shortly acuminate, fight glossy green, wavy, rolling 



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