460 Desci'iptions of Select Varieties of Pears. 



we received them they were so immature that we laid them 

 away to ripen, and among many other sorts forgot them for 

 some days, when, upon opening them, they had become en- 

 tirely changed in color, and just in the right condition to eat ; 

 we were most agreeably surprised to find them really excel- 

 lent, and surpassed by very few of its season. From a dull 

 greenish looking fruit, they had changed to a rich golden 

 russet, showing in spots a deep yellow ground, as taking to 

 the eye as they were grateful to the palate. In this state 

 they so much resemble the Gray Doyenne, that it would 

 seem as if the latter must have been the parent. 



The Merriam originated in Roxbury, and the old tree is 

 now very large, thrifty, and literally bending under the im- 

 mense load of pears ; a branch exhibited by Mr. Kingsbury, 

 only two or three feet long, had more pears upon it than we 

 ever saw crowded into the same space. Its productiveness 

 is prodigious. This, added to its other fine qualities, render 

 it a most desirable variety. We do not know whether it will 

 succeed upon the quince or not. 



Size^ large, about two and a half inches long, and two and 

 a half broad : Form, roundish, regular, large at the crown, 

 which is somewhat flattened, rounding off to the base, one 

 side of which is higher than the other : Skin, nearly smooth, 

 dull yellow when mature, but nearly obscured by a thick 

 covering of smooth pale russet around the crown and stem, 

 and dotted and interlaced with the same color throughout : 

 Stem, short, about half an inch long, moderately stout, straight, 

 and inserted in a small contracted cavity, with a protuberance 

 on one side : Eye, small, closed, and little sunk in a shallow 

 unevenly furrowed basin ; segments of the calyx, short : 

 Flesh, yellowish white, coarse, melting and juicy : Flavor, 

 sugary, sprightly, pleasantly perfumed and excellent : Core, 

 rather large : Seeds, medium size, broad, dark brown. Ripe 

 the last of September, and is in eating nearly four weeks. 



