Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears. 449 



Art. III. Descriptions and Engravings of Select Varieties 

 of Pears. By the Editor. 



In our several articles describing new or choice pears, of 

 which this is a continuation, commenced in 1844, (Vol. X,) 

 we have endeavored, as far as possible, to keep our American 

 sorts together, thinking this plan not only more interesting at 

 the present time, but much more valuable for reference here- 

 after. The adoption of this course, however, compels us to 

 keep back some new varieties until we make up the number 

 (six) requisite for an article ; still, we think, with this little 

 delay, that it is preferable to describing the native and foreign 

 sorts together. 



It is certainly somewhat remarkable, as it is surprising, that, 

 in the course of twenty-four years, a larger number of really 

 fine pears have been brought to notice, of American origin, 

 than have been introduced from Europe in the same time, or 

 we think we might safely add, in the last fifty years. It is 

 beginning to be a " fixed fact," that, for general cultivation, 

 our native sorts can be relied upon with more certainty than 

 the foreign ; for while many of the latter are all that could 

 be wished or desired, under certain conditions of culture, they 

 quite fail when left to the same treatment given to many of 

 our American varieties. The Beurre Diel, Napoleon, Doy- 

 enne, Leon le Clerc, &:.c., often crack and split open ; when, 

 in the same soil, and close by the side of them, the Swan's 

 Orange, Sheldon, Lawrence, Collins, Seckel, &c,, show no 

 signs of such defect. We have just twenty-five American 

 sorts of pears standing in one row, and every one is bearing 

 sound and beautiful fruit ; while on the opposite side of the 

 walk some of the foreign ones have lost half of their crop by 

 cracking open. We are convinced that we have not yet fully 

 appreciated the merits of our native pears ; every year proves 

 their hardiness and certain crops, and we mistake much, if a 

 few years do not find them greater favorites with cultivators 

 than they have heretofore been. 



We now add six American varieties to our list : — 



VOL. XIX. NO. X. 57 



