Notes afid Gleanings. 179 



rience and loss was not without its benefit ; for we believe we have found a few 

 varieties that were unharmed by winter's cold and the summer's blight or mil- 

 dew. At least, they were here ; and we perhaps may assist the good cause by 

 naming those most hardy. 



Our Henkel trees were one mass of rich green foliage ; and were really an 

 ornament, even without fruit. The Mfriam is also a very thrifty grower, and 

 very hardy ; also the Abbott, which bore a good crop for a young tree. The 

 Vicar of Winkfield was unaffected by winter's cold, or dropping of the leaves in 

 summer. The Belle Lucrative held its leaves, and bore a good crop. We have 

 found the Fulton to be a profitable variety, a moderate grower, and healthy. 

 Sheldon is also a very desirable sort, and can be relied upon for growth and 

 bearing-qualities. Our Buffam trees grew nicely, and the foliage was beautiful. 

 Doyenne d'Ete succeeds well. 



We have a few trees of a sort called the " European Honey," which does not 

 appear to be common, but is an early and regular bearer ; fruit sweet, rich, but 

 rather coarse : it is a good grower, and hardy. Several trees of the Bartlett and 

 other varieties were killed, or so injured that they will scarcely recover : they 

 threw out yellow and sickly leaves, that fell off early in autumn. Old fruit-grow- 

 ers near Brooklyn aver that the " Scooter," a baking-pear, a wonderfully produc- 

 tive variety, will bring the most money. /. H. 



Old Wkstburv, L.I. 



{^Remarks. — Experience is the best teacher; and it is only after an actual 

 trial that we can fully decide what varieties of any fruit will succeed best in cer- 

 tain soils and locations. The Henkel is a fair pear, but not much cultivated. 

 The Merriam is one of the most profitable market-sorts, though not of first 

 quality: its golden-russet color, when ripe, will cause it to sell more readily 

 than better pears that are not so attractive in appearance. The Abbott is a 

 variety of first quality, but rather small for mar-ket. The Vicar of Winkfield is 

 a good variety for cooking-purposes, and, under very favorable circumstances, 

 will prove a tolerable dessert-fruit. The Belle Lucrative is one of the very best 

 for home use alone ; for, though of excellent quality, its color is never attrac- 

 tive, and it is always comparatively unsalable. 



The Fulton is a very productive variety of fair quality, which sells readily: 

 the tree is not generally healthy or thrifty. The chances are, unless the fruit is 

 thinned, that the tree will bear itself to death. The Sheldon is a fruit of the 

 highest quality, of good size and appearance : the tree is a little tender, and the 

 fruit quite likely to crack. The Buffam is another of those varieties, which, 

 though not of superior quality, are yet very profitable to grow for market ; very 

 productive ; fruit fair and handsome. The Doyenne d'Ete is a pleasant little 

 summer pear ; but a single tree in an orchard would be quite enough. Of the 

 " European Honey " and " Scooter " we know nothing ; nor do we find any such 

 names in the books. We conclude these are local names given to some old and 

 well-known varieties. We should be pleased to hear from our friends in every 

 part of the country, giving us the results of their observation and experience in 

 the cultivation of the various fruits. — Eds.'\ 



