128 [AsSEMBLt 



•' The Endicott Pear Tree^ 



The Endicott pear tree is evidently of great age. Its main trunu; 

 is entirely hollow, and much shattered. About a foot from the ground 

 it divides into two distinct stems, which although mere shells, yet have 

 produced exceedingly strong limbs. The actual thickness of live 

 wood on the main branch, which faces the west, does not exceed 

 six implies. The eastern branch is much sounder, and supports the 

 greater part of the spray, which denoted the power of producing an 

 abundance of fruit. Proceeding from the root are two suckers, of 

 nearly the same size, one on the eastern, and the other on the western 

 side of the tree, and which are not more than 15 or 20 years old. 

 No perceptible difference can be discovered between them and the 

 tree itself, by comparing the wood. This seems to denote the fact of 

 the tree being a seedling variety. Indeed, its rude character seems 

 to denote a native of the soil. If imported by Governor Endicott, 

 which is according to family traditions, it must have been a seedling 

 variety, and not grafted, none of the usual appearances of a grafted 

 tree being visible." 



" Its general form is low and spreading, about twenty feet high, 

 and nearly the sarfie in extent of branches. The circumference of the 

 stem near the ground is seven feet five inches." 



THE 'ALPACCAS OF BOLIVIA. 



Legation or the United States in Bolivia, > 

 Cobija^ May 1st, lSi9. ) 



T. B. Wakeman, Esq.: 



Sir — On the 1 0th of December last, I received in Chuguisaca a 

 letter from Mr. L. T. Brown, requesting, in behalf of the "American 

 " Institute of Agriculture and the Arts," such information as I might be 

 able to give it concerning the " practicability of introducing into the 

 United States, and there domesticating the Alpaccas of Bolivia j" and 

 this information he desired me to communicate to your address, as 

 Secretary of the Institute. 



