THE MAGAZINE 



OF 



HORTICULTURE. 



MARCH, 1853. 



ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 



Art. I. Notes and Descriptions of several varieties of Pears, 

 exhibited dining the year 1852 ; with some Remarks upon 

 the peculiarities of the Season. By the Hon. J, S. Cabot, 

 President of the Mass. Hort. Soc. 



The following communication in reference to the past 

 season, and some of its more noticeable horticultural products, 

 is now, at the suggestion of its editor, submitted for publica- 

 tion in the Magazine of Horticulture, should it, in his opin- 

 ion, tend to promote the objects of that periodical. 



It is prefaced by a general account of the prevailing fea- 

 tures of the past year, for a record of the more marked char- 

 acteristics of each season is not wholly devoid of interest, or 

 of useful results. Such may eventually help to throw light 

 on some hidden fact or disputed point, and perhaps justify 

 expectations of results similar to those of which these charac- 

 teristics may have been before remotely the cause. This 

 statement is however introduced on the present occasion 

 chiefly for the purpose of aff'ording an opportunity for such 

 deductions therefrom, in relation to horticultural practice, as 

 the experience of a single year will appear to justify. 



The more distinct peculiarities of the past year were a very 

 cold winter, a wet spring, followed by a dry summer, and a 

 warm, fine, yet sufficiently wet autumn. The winter of 

 1851-2 was of unusual severity and duration, extending 

 through six months, from October to April — its advent hav- 



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