THE BUFFUM PEAR. 



BuFFUM. Kenrick's American Orchardist. 



BuFFAM, Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees. 



The BufFum pear has been variously estimated by 

 different cultivators ; some considering it nearly equal to 

 a fine Doyenne, while others place it among those of me- 

 dium quality. Two years since, at the meeting of the 

 Pomological Congress in New York, the merits of the 

 Buffum were pretty fully discussed, the question being 

 upon adding it to the list of kinds worthy of general culti- 

 vation. The result of the discussion was, that it was 

 placed upon the list by a large majority. 



The Buffum, without being ranked among the finest 

 pears, possesses abundant merits, which entitle it to a 

 place in the collection of every cultivator. The tree is of remarkably 

 vigorous growth, as erect and straight as a poplar, forming a perfect 

 pyramid, even without the aid of the pruning knife. It is an immense 

 bearer; and the fruit, which hangs in clusters from every branch, is fair 

 and beautiful, with a golden yellow skin, often russeted and deeply tinted 

 with bright red on the sunny side. Picked early, (as it should be,) and 

 ripened in the fruit room or house, it becomes almost as melting and 

 dehcious as the White Doyenne, which it resembles, when in its best 

 condition. A combination of such qualities we deem sujQ&cient to place 

 the Buffum among our most popular varieties. 



The Buffum is a native of Rhode Island, originating in the garden of 

 David Buffum, of Warren. Mr. Manning, we believe, introduced it 

 ai'ound Boston, fruited it in his Pomological Garden at Salem, exhibited 

 it before the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, and gave a brief ac- 

 count of it in the Magazine of Horticulture in 1837, (vol. iii. p. 16.) 

 Since then, it has been gradually disseminated throughout the country, 

 though among the multitude of new pears, which ripen about the same 

 time, it has been overlooked, and inferior sorts have been planted, to 

 the exclusion of this much better fruit. 



As an ornamental tree, merely, the Buffum claims our regard. Its 

 stately habit, symmetrical form, deep green fohage, and ruddy-colored 

 wood when stripped of its foliage, render it one of the best sorts to 

 inti'oduce near the house, where its spiry top breaks up the formahty of 



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