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42 Pear-Culture. 



they sell from five to seven dollars a bushel. Then, if apples are to con- 

 tinue to fail us, we must have the more pears, to make up, so far as possible, 

 for the deficiency of that fruit. If, then, it be assumed that pears can be 

 profitably grown, and that there is a constantly increasing demand for them, 

 it becomes important to raise such as will best meet the wants of the public, 

 both as to quality, and time of ripening. It is to be regretted that the 

 public are not governed more by the intrinsic value of a fruit than by its 

 showy appearance, choosing generally the bright golden pear, the biilliant 

 red apple, or the rich-looking black grape, without much regard to quality ; 

 thus passing by the rich Belle Lucrative to accept the Bufifum, Merriam, 

 Beurre Clairgeau, or some such variety of inferior quality. By a more 

 thorough education of the people through the medium of horticultural so- 

 cieties and horticultural magazines, this evil may in the future be remedied. 

 An important inquiry is as to what varieties shall be planted, in the present 

 state of the popular mind, to supply the market, and be profitable to the 

 producer, if not the consumer. This will require quite a different answer 

 than the question, as to what varieties shall be planted for home consump- 

 tion ; for we often speak of this or that variety being good to " sell, but not 

 to eat." They must be varieties of good size ; for though they be of most 

 excellent quality, equal to the Johonnot, and, like that delicious variety, small 

 and inferior-looking, the public will pass by, and refuse to buy them. The 

 Seckel appears to be an exception to this rule ; for it is a favorite wherever 

 known. It would seem to be absolute heresy to mention the Bell or Wind- 

 sor, a very inferior sort ; and yet it is one of the most profitable varieties 

 now grown for the market. The tree is ver}' hardy, bears well, and re- 

 quires litde care : the fruit sells well, because it is early ; its color catches 

 the eye, and thus tempts the passer-by to purchase a pear that is really only 

 suitable for cooking. The Brandywine is an excellent summer pear, that 

 deserves a higher place than it has yet received. It is of more than me- 

 dium size, and thus possesses an advantage over most of the summer pears. 

 The Clapp's Favorite, one of the handsomest and best of its season, will 

 fill a place just before the well-known Bartlett finds its way to market. This 

 variety is a most excellent grower ; and if the fruit is picked when hard and 

 apparently green, but just when the defective specimens show signs of ripe- 

 ness, it is good, and keeps well for a summer pear. The Buffum, though 



