SECKEL. 



Synonyms Seckle, Sickel, Syckle, New York Red Cheek. 



Size of Fruit \ Longitudinal diameter, 2 T 9 g inches. 



( Transverse diameter, 2y 5 g inches. 

 Form Obovate, often obconic. 



Skin Yellow russet, with frequently a mottled red cheek. 

 Stem T 9 g inch long, thick, inserted usually in a small depression. 

 Calyx Small, closed, set in a small shallow basin. 

 Core Medium. 



Seed Dark brown, I inches long, i 3 g wide, i thick. 

 Flesh Yellowish white, fine texture, buttery, melting. 

 Flavor Rich, luscious, saccharine, highly perfumed. 

 Quality" Best." 

 Maturity Middle of September. 



Leaf l|g inches wide, 3 long, including petiole, which is inch by A thick. 

 Wood Young shoots olive, stout, short. 

 Growth Moderate, forming a rounded symmetrical head. 



HISTORY, ETC. 



The Seckel is a native of Pennsylvania. The Horticulturist for January, 

 1849, contains the following description of the original tree in 1848 : 



u This venerable tree stands in a meadow in Passyunk Township, less than a 

 quarter of a mile from the Delaware river, opposite to League Island, not more 

 than half a mile from the mouth of the Schuylkill, and about three and a half 

 miles from the City of Philadelphia. The property on which it stands is a 

 portion of the Girard Estate, and now belongs to the city. It is one of the 

 largest Seckel Pear trees I have ever seen, measuring more than six feet in 

 circumference one foot above the ground, and four feet nine inches in circum- 

 ference five feet higher up. It is about thirty feet high. The head of the tree 

 has the usual rounded appearance so characteristic of this variety, and is in good 

 condition. The trunk to the height of six feet, is very much decayed on its 

 south-western side. The bark half way round the trunk is entirely gone, together 

 with a great portion of the wood itself, leaving a large hollow in the tree. Such 

 being the decayed condition of the trunk, it is greatly to be feared that the tree 

 will not be able to stand the blasts of many more winters. No artificial support 

 having been afforded to enable it to resist the dreaded effects of the stormy winds, 

 nature herself is making an effort to provide for the anticipated disaster, by 

 throwing up shoots from the trunk an inch or two above the surface of the earth. 

 But the tree stands on grazing ground, and unless protected by an enclosure, the 

 effort will prove a vain one." 



The proper authorities having had their attention called to the exposed condition 

 of this tree by the writer of the above, have caused the necessary protection to be 

 given to it. This tree must be more than one hundred years old, as fruit from it 

 was eaten by the late Rt. Rev. Bishop White, between eighty and ninety years ago. 



