298 The Second Congress of Fruit Growers. 



Mr. C. M. Hovey said that this fruit was not of the first 

 quality in respect to flavor, but the variety made a beautiful 

 appearance as an ornamental tree, and it was besides a pro- 

 digious bearer, the fruit hanging on the branches like strings 

 of onions. And if seasonably gathered and well ripened, the 

 Buffum pear was nearly as good as the Doyenne. If eaten 

 at the proper time, it was far above a second rate fruit. 



Mr. Buist, of Philadelphia, remarked that it would require 

 all the eloquence of gentlemen, and perhaps more, to raise 

 this variety to the rank of a first class fruit. And he con- 

 sidered that what was wanted of this Congress, and what the 

 Congress itself desired, was information as to, and decision 

 upon, fruits, and fruits alone — not in respect to their beauty 

 as ornamental trees. 



Mr. S. B. Parsons agreed with the last speaker. The 

 qualities of fruits as fruits^ it was the object of the Congress 

 to determine, as far as possible. 



Mr. Hancock said that in truth the Buffum pear ranked 

 only as fourth rate, as the gentleman from Massachusetts, 

 (Mr. French,) had this morning observed. And if that gen- 

 tlemen now asked this Congress to recommend it for general 

 cultivation, for one, he, (Mr. H.,) could not do it. 



Mr. French knew that the BulTum did not rule as high as 

 many other varieties, but still it was worth cultivating. 



Mr. Downing reminded gentlemen that the Convention of 

 last year had determined to cast out all such classifications as 

 first rate, second rate ^c, and to adopt the designations of 

 '' good," " very good," " best" as more definite and useful. 



Mr. French said that then he should call the Bufium a 

 good pear. 



Mr. Downing observed, in continuation, that this was a 

 list for general cultivation, not one recommended to amateurs 

 alone. If a particular fruit were only good, even if that 

 were united with other desirable qualities, productiveness, 

 hardiness, &c., he should be very willing to recommend it 

 for general cultivation. 



Dr. Monson thought this a very desirable pear to have 

 when others were scarce. It was a good bearer and the tree 



