1853. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



65 



URBANISTE PEAR. 



The original of the above beautiful portrait 

 was plucked from a tree in the garden of Col. 

 Wilder, of Dorci. ester, and furnished us by hiui 

 as a fair subject to be engraved. In the descrip- 

 tion below, which we take from Downing, it ap- 

 pears that the Urbaniste compares, nearly, in 

 deliciousness of flavor, with "the old Doyenne or 

 Virgalieu." These are other names for the old 

 and favorite St. Michael, a pear better known, 

 perhaps, than almost any other in this region. 

 The above engraving is a very perfect figure of the 

 fruit, and branch on which it hung, and is much 

 more beautiful in its outlines than any represen- 

 tation we have seen in the books. 



"The Urbaniste is a fruit for which we confident- 

 ly predict the highest popularity in this country. 

 In its delicious flavor it compares, perhaps, more 

 nearly with the favorite old Doyenne or "Mrgalieu, 

 than any other fruit, and adds, when in perfec- 

 tion, a delicate perfume, peculiarly its own. Its 

 handsome size and appearance, and remarkably 

 healthy habit, commend it for those districts 



where, from neglect or bad soil, the Doyenne does 

 not flourish. The tree is a moderately vigorous 

 grower, and though it does not'begin to bear so 

 early as some of the new varieties, it yields abun- 

 dant and regular crops, and gives every indication 

 of a long'lived, hardy variety. For the orchard 

 or garden in the middle States, therefore, we con- 

 sider it indispensable. With so many other fine 

 sorts, we owe this to the Flemish, it having been 

 originated by the Count de Coloma, of Malines. 

 It was first introduced into this country in 1823. 

 Young shoots upright, short-join ted,grayish yellow. 

 Fruit of medium size, often large, pyramidal obo- 

 vate. Skin smooth and fair, pale yellow, with gray 

 dots, and a|few russet streaks. Stalk about an inch 

 long, rather stout, and inserted in a well marked 

 or rather broad depression. Calyx small, closed 

 and set in a narrow basin, which is abruptly and 

 rather deeply sunk. Flesh white, (yellowish at 

 the core,) buttery, very melting and rich, with a 

 copious, delicious juice, delicately perfumed. Ri- 

 pens from the last of September till the end of 

 November, if kept in the house." 



