362 [Assembly 



Annales, March, 1852. 



Origin of the Pear Doyenne H'Hiver, Winter Dean, called, also, 

 Bergamote de Pentecote — Spring Doyenne, lord of Winter. 



This pear, according to Van Mons, was obtained fiom seed 

 planted by the Capuchins of Louvam. It was introduced into 

 France about fifty years ago by Hervey, who obtaiiltd it from Van 

 Mons in 1805, under the name of Bergamote de Pentecote — Pcn- 

 tacost Bergamc. Hervey thought it resembled an old Doyenne, 

 and gave it the name it still bears, Doyenne d'Hiver. 



Geo^-ge Dickey, of New York, who had been requested at a 

 former Club to report upon the commercial condition of the osier 

 ,willow. made the following report, which was highly acceptable 

 to the Club, as it established several facts relative thereto, im- 

 Dortant to be known, and especially the nurseries of the -true osier 

 willow. The importance of this may be appreciated wlien we 

 know that of the two hundred and forty kinds, only one, is best 

 — that is, the basket willow or salixviminalis : 



The 0*ier Willow for baaket-making. 



Price paid in New York, from the importers, 3i to 8 cents per 

 pound. 



It is imported from France and Germany, but chietly from 

 France. 



Englanvl grows all she uses. There is a considerable quantity 

 rgrown on Staten Island, near Richmond, which brings about 5. 

 cents per pound on the average. 



It is planted in small sized twigs, by the acre, in damp soil, 

 leaving some pathways between, and it is necessary to keep the 

 ground clean and clear of the growing to weeds and other plants. 

 It will grow on soil not wanted for other purposes. It will not 

 grow vrell on a light or sandy soil. The bark is taken oif by a 

 triangular instrument, which catches the twigs that are drawn 

 through the instrument, the prongs of the instrument being made 

 round, and are pressed hard on the twigs, which are pulled 

 through the instrument. 



