THE BRANDYWINE PEAR. 



Beandy^vine. Horticulturist, vol. iii. 1848. 



The Brandywine is one of the most recently 

 introduced of our American pears, and was first 

 brought to the notice of Pomologists by Dr. 

 Brinckle, of Philadelphia. Specimens of the fruit 

 received from him were first exhibited before the 

 Massachusetts Horticultural Society in 1848, which 

 attracted much attention, and were thought re- 

 markably fine. In 1853, we had the gratification 

 of presenting the fruit from our own collection, 

 which was pronounced, by all who tried it, fully 

 equal to any pear of its season. 



The quahties of the Brandywine are pecuharly its own, and cannot 

 well be compared with any other variety: its flesh is shghtly firm, 

 yet perfectly melting ; and its flavor, without being highly aromatized, 

 appears to be a concentration of that of several sorts, being almost as 

 sugary as the Seckel, yet reheved by the refreshing juice of the Marie 

 Louise, and the "champagne" smack of the Beurre dAremberg. 



The Brand}^ine is a native of Chaddsford, Delaware County, Penn- 

 sylvania. The original tree was found near a fence on the farm of 

 the late Eli Harvey, and was transplanted into the garden of Mr. Geo. 

 Brinton, of that place. The garden is on the banks of the Brandy- 

 wine River, and is a part of the grounds occupied by the American 

 army, who defended our country in the battle of Brandywine. It was, 

 therefore, very appropriately named the Brandywine Pear. The original 

 tree began to bear fruit as long ago as 1820, but in 1835 it blew down 

 near the surface of the ground. The present tree is a sucker from the 

 original, and began to bear again in 1844. This fact accounts for its 

 not sooner having become known to cultivators. Previous to 1835, 

 when the old tree blew down, very little interest was felt in regard 

 to our native pears ; now, however, that interest is universal, and no 

 sooner had the young tree, which sprang from the ruins of the old one, 

 come into bearing, than its merits were made known to cultivators. 



The tree is a vigorous grower, with a handsome pyramidal habit, 

 approaching to the Bufi'um, though with much more slender wood. 

 It seems to come into bearing rather early. Whether it will succeed 

 on the quince remains yet to be tested. 



Thee.— Moderately vigorous, and veiy erect in its growth, forming a 

 rather compact pyramidal head ; annual shoots rather slender, medium 

 length. 



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