38 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



the Sheldon cannot be ranked high, first, because of its russety appearance, 

 which, however, yellows up finely when ready for the table, and, second, because 

 the tree is not sufficiently productive. 



A tree at Maplehurst, about thirty years old, bears some years a few 

 straggling specimens, and other years possibly a bushel or so ; certainly far 

 below the average yield of many other varieties, as, for instance, the Buffum, 

 Tyson, Bartlett and Howell. But, whether the crop of Sheldons be large or 

 small, we always save it for home use : for none of its compeers, the Duchess, 

 the Anjou, nor the Lawrence, though all are delicious, is as desirable. No 

 member of the family would select one of the latter for eating when he 

 can have the Sheldon. 



The Committee on Pears, appointed by the Ontario Fruit ('.rowers' Associa- 

 tion, give the Sheldon ten marks, the maximum number to indicate its value for 

 dessert, and seven for market ; but they have ranked the Anjou equally high, 

 and, in our opinion, this might justly be amended to make the latter variety 

 at least one point below the Sheldon. 



The following descr ption of this pear is given in Downing's ''Fruits and 

 Fruit Trees of America," — Tree, vigorous, erect, hardy, and a good bearer. 

 Skin, greenish-yellow, mostly covered with thin light russet, a little brownish- 

 crimson in the sun, dotted with russet. Stalk short, stout. Cavity deep. Calyx 

 open. Segments partly recurved. Basin broad, large. Flesh, whitish, very 

 juicy, melting, sweet, vinous, rich aromatic. Very good. October. 



Two or three reports concerning this pear have been sent in recently, 

 which we here insert : 



W. Boulter, of Picton. Prince Edward Co . writes. " My experience with 

 this variety has been poor. I planted ten years ago, seventy-five of them, and 

 lost every one of them, perhaps due to the winter's cold. I gave them the same 

 cultivation as the Clapp's Favorite and the Flemish Beauty, some three hundred 

 of which I had by the side of them, and lost none. I think it will not endure 

 the climate of this county." 



Thos. Beall, of Lindsay, says, " I have not grown this pear, but I had two 

 trees planted, which died before the bearing age. I do not know of its being 

 grown in this locality." 



Warren Holton, of Hamilton says. " I have fruited the Sheldon for several 

 years and think very highly of it. It is with me a moderate bearer when young, 

 but improves with age. I consider it the best quality and it always commands 

 the highest price and a ready sale in the local markets." 



T. T. Lyon, of South Haven, Mich., writes, " The Sheldon pear is 

 considerably grown for market in Michigan. It is a vigorous, healthy variety ; 

 a little variable in quality and somewhat uncertain in bearing. Aside from Bosc 

 and Anjou, this and Howell may be said to range next to the Bartlett in the 

 estimation of the mass of commercial planters of this fruit." 



