538 Marthy Anne Pear. 



But our climate is exposed to such a variety of influences, 

 by our geographical position, that the kind intentions of na- 

 ture are, as it were, often defeated. In the ordinary course 

 of things, we should be favored every year with this genial 

 period of sunshine and warmth. But the north winds will 

 sometimes rush down prematurely upon our territories, and 

 bring winter along before its time. Farewell then to the 

 Indian Summer, for that season. The tuneful insects, after 

 chirping incessantly during all the early autumn, are obliged 

 to sink into their winter sleep, without singing the requiem 

 of the year. Rustic toils and rural sports are brought to a 

 sudden termination, and the only beings who seem to rejoice 

 are the boys, who are delighted with an early opportunity to 

 renew the sports of winter. 



Beverly, November, 1853. 



Art. II. Description and Engraving of the Marthy Anne 

 Pear, one of Mr, Dana's new seedlings. By the Editor. 



Very few of our American cultivators have given much 

 attention to the production of new varieties of pears from 

 seeds, either by careful fertilization of the flowers, or by 

 selections from the best known varieties. Of the large num- 

 ber of native seedlings which we already possess, worthy of 

 cultivation, all have been accidental seedlings but six or 

 eight. Those who have tried the experiment in a small way 

 have not, heretofore, been very successful in producing im- 

 proved varieties ; and the long time required to bring their 

 trees to a bearing state, and the room necessary for the 

 growth, has prevented all but the most enthusiastic amateurs 

 from renewing the attempt. 



Some few years ago Mr. F. Dana, of Roxbury, planted 

 quite a large bed of pear seeds, selected from some of the 

 leading sorts, such as the Beurre Diel, Brown Beurre, «fcc., &c. 

 The whole number of plants which he raised was five or six 

 thousand ; from them he selected, the second or third year 



