called the Boston Pine. 291 



was the variety known as Hovey's Seedling, and the one 

 now described. In our account of the former in a previous 

 vokime of the Magazine, (VI. p. 284) we stated, that, after 

 selecting from several hundred seedlings, that variety, " two 

 others possessing peculiar properties, were taken from the 

 bed, which were in course of trial." The Boston Pine was 

 one of these, but the other, though excellent, was not suffi- 

 ciently distinct from some others to merit preservation. 



For two or three years, these two sorts were allowed to run 

 together and extend themselves, without devoting much at- 

 tention to their fruiting. In 1841 we separated the two kinds, 

 and the following year, having raised several plants, we set 

 out a small bed of the one which proved the most distinct. 

 In 1842 the bed produced a few berries of remarkable excel- 

 lence, and that season we were enabled to make a plantation 

 of sufficient size to produce a quantity of fruit. 



In September the plants were put out, and consequently 

 produced but little fruit the following year; but in 1844, a 

 fine crop was obtained, which fully established the character 

 we formed of it when originally selected from the seedling 

 bed. 



Last season another bed was planted with only ordinary 

 care, and on rather a light soil. These plants bore abundantly 

 in June, fully sustaining the reputation of the variety, prov- 

 ing nearly as large as Hovey's Seedling, with the value of 

 being much earlier, and equally productive. 



A correct drawing {fig. 16, p. 292) of the fruit and leaf, we 

 here give, with the description : — 



Fruit, very large, roundish or slightly conical, always very 

 regular m form : Color, deep, rich, shining red : Seeds im- 

 bedded in a rather deep cavity : Flesh, pale scarlet, solid, 

 fine grained, very juicy, sweet and rich, with a high and most 

 delicious flavor : Footstalks long and spreading, elevating 

 the fruit from the ground : Flowers, large, and perfect, pos- 

 sessing both stamens and pistils. Leaves, large, of a lighter 

 and duller green than Hovey's Seedling, narrower, and much 

 more deeply and sharply serrated. Vines, exceedingly hardy 

 and vigorous. Ripe nearly as early as the Old Scarlet or Vir- 

 ginia, filling up the season between that kind and Hovey's 

 Seedling, when there is no other of equal merit. 



