1882.] TRANSACTIONS. 11 



In answer to a note from your Secretary, Mr. Vellette P. 

 Townsend ; to whom we are indebted for the preservation of the 

 novel variety from extinction ; responds as follows : — 



" QuiNSiGAMOND, Mass., Oct. 18, 1882. 

 Dear /Sir: 



I have never noticed Earle's Bergamot rotting at the core, unless 

 they have been kept some time after they had become mellow ; when I 

 think such has been tlie case. 



Yours Truly, 



V. P. Townsend. 

 To Edward W. Lincoln, Esq., Secretary." 



The merits appreciated by our learned and Honorary Associate, 

 are all that have been claimed for Earle's Bergamot, in Worces- 

 ter. Many varieties, of long standing, possess fewer. The 

 astringency noticed may well be deemed inseparable from its 

 half-parentage through the Autumn Bergatnot ; — the Fondante 

 d'Automne standing sponsor for other traits that may be found 

 to require correction or guidance. Should it continually rot at 

 the core, as Mr Downing seems to apprehend, it would be a 

 serious fault. We have, however, to put up with that defect in 

 other and longer known varieties, — not therefore discarded ; and 

 the reasons for patience, in this case, may turn out sufficient. 

 Mr. Downing observes that it '"'■ decays soon after it is ripe.''^ It 

 occurs to your Secretary that this is a matter wherein prevention 

 should be tried. Eat them as soon as they are ripe, and suffer 

 the stomach to settle with posterity. 



More seriously, however, — of how many Autumnal Pears can 

 it be stated with truth, that they will not rot at the core ! Cer- 

 tainly not of the Citron des Cannes; (Madeleine) ; the BeuTr6 

 Qiffard\ or that superb ornament and crown of the opening 

 Autumn, — Clapp's Favorite. Were the case otherwise, all the 

 laws of Nature would be contradicted, whereby it is provided 

 that speedy decay shall supervene upon maturity, to remove 

 simultaneously the offence and its cause. There are things, not 

 pomological solely, which it is impossible and would be unde- 

 sirable to keep through hot weather. It is simple common sense, 

 regarded calmly, and with as much thought as you would bestow 



