THE PEAR. 79 



slow, unhealthy growth, and the fruit variable 

 and imperfect. Easter, one of the latest and 

 best in quality; large, yellowish, fine grained, 

 very buttery, juicy, sweet, and rich. In order to 

 bring it to perfection, it requires a warm soil, 

 high culture, and careful thinning. In cool, not 

 too dry cellars, it may be kept until April. The 

 season is rather short for its full maturity in 

 New England and the Northern States. 



Keiffer. This is a seedling of the Chinese 

 Sand Pear, said to be crossed with some culti- 

 vated variety. Fruit large, obovate, greenish- 

 yellow ; flesh white, juicy, moderate in quality, 

 or poor. Retaining the vigor and productive- 

 ness of the Sand, it is an improvement in 

 quality, but is likely to be classed with the Vicar, 

 as valuable only for cooking. It is said to be 

 excellent for canning. It has been greatly over- 

 praised by dealers. October to January. The 

 vigor of foliage and remarkable early produc- 

 tiveness of the Sand type may encourage to hy- 

 bridizing with varieties of better quality, in the 

 hope of good results. 



Besides the varieties here named there are 

 numerous kinds which have some peculiar ex- 

 cellence, or local reputation. Yet no one would 

 wish to extend the list, or to plant half the 

 number, except for the purpose of testing, or for 



