Winter Pears. 29 



The Israella, on vines of the same age, is still less burdened with fruit, 

 showing only a few bunches. This may be owing to the incompatibility 

 of the soil and climate ; for it is a common observation, that, in the nursery, 

 the young plants often cast their leaves at midsummer as badly as the 

 Delaware and others that are peculiarly subject to mildew. 



Close beside these vines are trellises densely covered with the abundant 

 fruit and foliage of the Clinton, Norton, and an immense crop of Maxa- 

 tawney. This last-named grape is now maturing its fruit nobly, some of the 

 clusters bearing as high and rich a color as could be desired. 



The Martha is doing quite as well, on vines of the same age, the third 

 year; and is indeed one of the most promising of the white grapes, since it 

 appears to have all the vigor and productiveness and hardiness of its 

 parent, the Concord. 



The Rogers's Hybrids are here fruiting abundantly on a great many of 

 the different numbers ; affording a fine opportunity for copious notes, that 

 will be produced upon another occasion. 



Many other varieties are also in fruit ; but they are necessarily omitted 

 upon this occasion, for fear of extending this communication to an undue 

 length. 



A new plan of treating cuttings of hard-wood plants was found to be 

 extensively practised here, — no patent, — which may be explained at 

 another time. 



Winter Pears. — The remark is often made, that there is no demand 

 for pears in winter ; and, if kept until that season, they will not sell. This 

 may be true ; but it is certainly very strange : for everybody must acknowl- 

 edge that a rich, melting pear is better than an apple at any season of the 

 year, and yet there is a demand for apples for the dessert. Is it not 

 because pears are scarce and high, and above the reach of the great mass of 

 people ? Produce them in sufficient quantities, and offer them at moderate 

 prices, and there will be no lack of customers. 



