Descriptions of Six varieties of Native Pears. 291 



engraving {fig. 10, p. 290), is from a specimen, from the 

 collection of Mr. Manning, in the autumn of 1842. 



Size, medium, two and a half inches long, and two and 

 a half inches in diameter : Form, nearly round, slightly 

 uneven, flattened at the eye : Skin, fair, of a clear bright 

 cinnamon russet, in some places showing a deep yellow 

 ground : Ste)?i, medium length, about one inch, smooth, 

 light brown, deeply inserted in a round cavity : Eye, me- 

 dium size, open, moderately sunk ; segments of the calyx, 

 rather long, projecting, stiff: Flesh, white, fine, melting 

 and juicy : Flavor, rich and excellent, though not much 

 perfumed : Core, large : Seeds, medium size, short, pale 

 brown. Ripe in September and October. 



The tree is of vigorous growth, upright in its habit, like 

 the Seckel, forming a well shaped head ; perfectly hardy 

 and a constant and abundant bearer. 



26. Lewis. N. E. Farmer, Vol. VII., p. 266. 



This excellent pear when first introduced, was scarcely 

 considered as worthy of cultivation. Mr. Downer, whose 

 knowledge of fruits is very extensive, was acquainted 

 with the original tree for ten years before he was suffi- 

 ciently convinced of the value of the variety, to introduce 

 it to his collection. Subsequently he procured scions, which 

 were grafted into old trees, in his garden, and they soon 

 produced abundance of fruit, which gave him an opportu- 

 nity to test its merits more fully. In some seasons it did 

 not quite meet his expectations ; yet the good crops which 

 he had seen on a young tree in Mr. Williams's garden, gave 

 him a good opinion of it, and he thought its good qualities 

 were too numerous to allow him to give it up. Further 

 experience has shown that he was correct, and it likewise 

 shows the importance of fully testing any native variety 

 before discarding it. In our Vol. I., p. 91, Mr. Downer's de- 

 scription of it will be found. So good did the Mass. Hort. 

 Society esteem this pear, that a fine painting of it was exe- 

 cuted by Harvey, for the ornament of the room. 



In the garden of the London Horticultural Society, the 

 Lewis has proved to be first rate, and is so classed in the 

 3d edition of their Catalogue, with the remark, "excellent, 

 sugary and melting." It is now well ascertained, that its 

 excellence greatly depends on the produce of the tree, and 

 the mode of ripening the fruit, — and probably more on the 



