90 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



crop outside of New England has not been so abundant, and as 

 the demand for export has been good, cultivators liave realized 

 remunerative prices for good specimens. 



Pkatis, — Among the most interesting exhibitions of pears, 

 was a collection from INIr. G. F. B. Lcighton, of Norfolk, Va., 

 shown on the 20th of Jul3\ Among these the Ott, Dearborn's 

 Seedling, and Osband's Summer, when tested, proved not to be as 

 good as those grown here ; the Ott, though large and handsome, 

 not having its usual high flavor, and the Dearborn's Seed- 

 ling being quite astringent. The Clapp's Favorite was not 

 as large as when gathered here. Mr. Leighton also sent to the 

 Anryial Exhibition extra large specimens of the Duchess d'An- 

 gouleme and Louise Bonne of Jersey, the latter particularly re- 

 markable for the knobb}' form and swollen stems which character- 

 ize fruit grown in southern climates. September 7, the 2d prize 

 for pears was awarded to the Ott, grown by Messrs. Davis and 

 Bates. The specimens, though large, were not as highly colored 

 nor as high flavored as are sometimes seen, but we mention it for 

 the purpose of saying that those who wish for a pear to precede 

 the Seckel, and equal to it in high aromatic flavor, will find such 

 an one in the Ott. It is, moreover, an excellent grower. 



Messrs. F. & L. Clapp have exhibited at various times during 

 the season, fine specimens of their seedling pears, of such excel- 

 lence that a few j-ears since every one of them would have been 

 thought worthy of naming and introducing to cultivation ; but to- 

 daj' the standard is so much raised that we shall mention but a 

 few of the best. No 3 was shown September 29, ovate pyriform, 

 russet, resembling Beurre Hardy in appearance, fine-grained and 

 juicy, with a spirited aromatic flavor, somewhat like that of Beurro 

 d'Aremberg. No. 22 was exhibited on the 19th of October, and 

 again on the 2Gth. Full medium size, generally obovate but irreg- 

 ular, and varial)le and not handsome in shape. Skin clear yellow. 

 It was thought by the Committee the juiciest pear they had ever 

 cut, and exceedingly spirited, perh.nps too much so to please the 

 majorit}' of tnstes, but would be much admired b^- those who relish 

 a sprightly pear. In flavor it resembles Beurre Superfin. It 

 appears to keep well, the specimens having been gathered on the 

 28th of September. No. 37, which was so fine last j'ear, we 

 regret to say was not as good this. "We must here put on record 



