54 



Notes and Gleanings. 



Doyenne du Comice Pear. — This is one of the newer French pears, and 

 is one of first-class excellence ; coming into use in the months of October and 

 November. The fruit is large and obovate, with a smooth skin, and, when ripe, 

 of a yellowish-green color, with here and there irregular patches of russet on 

 the sunny side, which is also frequently flushed with red. The eye is small, 

 and set in an even basin ; and the stalk is short and thick, inserted obliquely. 

 The flesh is white, very juicy, fine-grained, and perfectly melting, with a deli- 



cious and peculiar aroma. It is, doubtless, one of the finest pears of its season, 

 and is eminently deserving of extensive cultivation. In size it is equal to a 

 Duchesse d'Angouleme ; but, in regard to flavor, it is much superior to that 

 variety, and more like Marie Louise or Glou Morceau. It keeps longer fit for 

 use than most varieties : a point of no small importance ; for, in the case of 

 many good pears, there is only a very short season during which they can be 

 called eatable. The tree is hardy and a good bearer ; succeeding well on the 

 quince, either as a pyramid or standard. — B. 



LiLiUM AURATUM. — It is not safe to leave the bulbs of this lily in the open 

 ground unprotected during the winter. It may survive ; but the chances are 

 against it Cover the bed with a frame, and fill in with leaves. 



