44 Pear-Culture. 



to become more and more popular as it is more widely known ; and it may 

 be extensively and profitably planted. The Sheldon is another fine pear, 

 of recent introduction, and of first quality. The tree is a good upright 

 grower, and rather early bearer. The fruit does not keep as well as the 

 Beurre d'Anjou, nor is it particularly attractive, but will be appreciated, 

 when eaten, by all lovers of good pears; and the public should buy it. The 

 Lawrence is a late fall or early winter pear, of good quality ; and it grows 

 fair, and colors up finely with very little care. Its beautiful lemon-color 

 will sell it, and it has the merit of ripening with ver)' little care. The Vicar 

 of Winkfield is a pear of second-rate quality, but is, notwithstanding, a 

 very profitable variety, especially for cooking-purposes, and sometimes 

 for eating ; for it will, in some seasons and in some locations, give specimens 

 that will prove nearly first-rate. If it js allowed to overbear, the fruit will 

 be poor, green, and flavorless. The tree is very hardy, and the variety 

 does equally well on quince and standard, f Of all the varieties that can be 

 most profitably grown as dwarfs, the Duchesse.(^ngouleme stands, per- 

 haps, at the head of the list. The size of the fruit, -^ith its fair quality and 

 good appearance, will sell it in any market at a good price. Many con- 

 tend that this variety will do well as a standard ; but experience will show 

 otherwise. The Beurre Clairgeau is a very handsome pear, and grows to 

 Sfreat size. It seems to do better as a dwarf than a standard. The Urba- 

 niste, coming along before the Duchesse, should not be left out of even a 

 small collection, either for home-use or market. The variety is a long time 

 coming into bearing ; but, when it has reached a mature age, it yields large 

 ' and constant crops of fine, fair fruit, that will always command a good price 

 from those who can appreciate a good fruit. Other varieties might be 

 named ; for there are many more that many will claim can be profitably 

 grown, and some will declare that they will prove superior to those enume- 

 rated. It is difficult to give a list that will suit all soils or locations. The 

 man who plants pear-trees for the most profit will confine himself to five 

 varieties, or, on no account, exceed ten ; and will be content to let the 

 curious pomologist and amateur test the hundreds or thousands of varieties 

 now on the list, with all the new ones that are yearly brought before the 

 public. It may not be out of place here to add a brief list of pears, in a 

 brief way, that may be satisfactorily raised for home-use. The number of 



