Ripening the Pear as an Article of Commerce. 25 



into possession of all the practical information which the 

 fruit growers in the country are possessed of, viz : — 



1st. With a knowledge of the hest soil and situation for 

 the successful raising of the pear, as it regards quality 

 and quantity. 



2d. That he should ascertain the varieties that ripen at 

 such periods as are best adapted for a foreign voyage, and 

 would be best suited to the markets of certain ports ; as 

 also their flavor, color, general appearance, and peculiar 

 adaptation to the wants and taste of the people of the country 

 to which they are to be exported. 



3d. The cultivators should also be put into possession 

 of all the best information, h'om practical experience, as to 

 the time the various sorts should be gathered, and the time 

 they will become ripe in a temperature of 40, 50, 60, 70, 

 75 and SO degrees of heat, to enable him to export his fruit 

 successfully to a foreign market, and also to bring his fruit 

 into the home market as circumstances may require. The 

 information or knowledge of the effect of heat on the 

 ripening of the pear, Avould enable the cuhivator and 

 dealer in fruit to execute an order for this delicious fruit. 

 in varieties of from one to ten sorts, if suitable notice is 

 given, and thereby gratify the taste of those who may 

 consider the dessert as an important part of an excellent 

 dinner : for the time, Mr. Editor, is not far distant, when 

 the dessert will be considered, if not the most important, at 

 least one of the parts of a good dinner, that cannot be 

 dispensed with. 



To accomplish the results, above stated, I would respect- 

 fully suggest that large premiums should be offered by all 

 the various horticultural societies in the Union, for the best 

 communication on the ripening of fruits, (particularly the 

 pear.) staling the best time for gathering certain varieties 

 of the finest pears, and their respective time of ripening in 

 different degrees of heat, stating also the treatment of the 

 fruit from the time it was gathered until it became fully 

 ripe, with such other information which may be found neces- 

 sary to the successful ripening of the pear or other fruits. 

 With this information, and the wonted energies of our cul- 

 tivators, it would not be many years before a new and 

 productive source of commerce would be opened in the 

 various ports of our country. 



S. Walker, 



VOL. X. NO. I. 4 



