30 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1894. 



May following the time of picking. As to the quality of the 

 pear, Mr. Downing's opinion describes it as truly now as when 

 it was uttered. That it is an " ugly duckling" may not be dis- 

 puted. The specimens shown in our Hall of late years have 

 been very inferior. On the other hand, none could be better 

 than those exhibited October 25th, by Mrs. Mary E. Woodward. 

 If the tree that bore them is young, is located in the open, and 

 has received proper care, as is understood, the lesson is obvious 

 and requires no commentary. 



Describing the Columbia, which originated in Westchester 

 County, New York, and which he illustrates by a colored 

 plate, Downing says : 



"This splendid American pear is one of the most excellent 

 qualities, and will, we think, become more generally popular 

 than any other early Winter fruit. It is large, handsome, very 

 productive, and has a rich, sugary flavor resembling, but often 

 surpassing, that of the Beurre Diel." 



Times without number have I been asked to recommend some 

 Winter Pear. The task was too difficult. But why should I 

 hesitate to recall to your attention the opinion of our very high- 

 est pomological authority, re-inforced as it has been by the ob- 

 servant experience of the few of our Members who have profited 

 by following his judgment ! Bear in mind that it is commended 

 as a Winter pear ! which implies that it must be suitably kept 

 and properly ripened. Individually, I went much further and 

 fared far worse. Instead of Columbia, Duchesse de Bordeaux 

 cumbers my grounds, — a fruit which I would gladly contribute 

 to swell that fragrant deposit over which perfumed zephyrs blow 

 to the delectation of our friends on Shrewsbury Heights. And 

 finding ourselves in sight of " Shrewsbury Clock," it matters 

 little by what zephyr borne thither, shall we dismiss mention of 

 that remarkable display of Lawrence, October 25th, by our 

 valued associate, Mr. Oliver B. Wyman? Yet, after all, what 

 did we learn? We saw pears that none of us could rival, nor 

 even approach in excellence. But who knows under what con- 

 ditions those specimens were produced ! Was the tree young, 

 or old ; has it been highly manured, or let severely alone? Was 



