33 



No sweet apples have been named in the foregoing list. It is 

 difficult to find a good sweet apple. Probably Tolman is the best, 

 although Leicester Sweet and Orange Sweet are preferred by many. 

 In the selection of sweet apples, one should be left entirely to his 

 own preferences. 



Pears. 



The selection of pears is even more difficult than the selection 

 of apples. There were more varieties named in the books up to a 

 few years ago than there were of apples, and doubtless more vari- 

 eties cultivated in Massachusetts. At the present time, however, 

 the nurserymen propagate comparatively few. The principal ones 

 will be named below. 



Bartlett is doubtless the pear most known. It is a fruit of good 

 color, good flavor and good tree. It can be generally recommended. 



Clapp (Clapp's Favorite) is another good old-fashioned pear, 

 planted by nearly all growers in this part of the country. It is 

 ready for eating about the middle of September, and is of good 

 quality. 



Sheldon is not so highly colored as some of the other pears, but 

 it is of fairly good quality and large size, and comes later in the 

 season, about December 1. 



Duchess (Duchess d'Angouleme) seems not to be very gener- 

 ally grown. There is a notion that it does not succeed very well 

 in this climate. It is said to thrive better when budded on quince 

 roots. When properly grown, it is one of the finest in quality of 

 all the pears, and should not be dismissed from the fruit garden 

 without trial. 



Lawrence is a fine autumn pear for home use. It is a medium- 

 sized, smooth-skinned, golden-yellow fruit, rather soft and juicy, 

 very sweet and mild. 



Howell is an excellent medium-sized pear, and a favorite with 

 many. 



Bosc is a medium autumn variety, ready for the table about 

 November 1. It is roundish pyriform in shape, and rather dull 

 colored. 



Seckel is a small pear, but one of the finest in quality ever grown 

 in America. It ought to be in every family collection. 



Peaches. 

 Mountain Rose is the first of the early peaches which in ray 

 judgment is worth growing. There are several varieties which 

 would come in a few days ahead of it, but they are small and 

 poor. The fruit of the Mountain Rose is not large, but is ex- 

 cellent in quality. It is a white free-stone. 



