PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 177 



cess which the patience of few men, however ardent in their love of pomo- 

 logy, will ever be likely to attempt. Is it not better to commence where 

 others have left off, than to g;o over the whole ground again? 



A great variety of new seedlings recommended, and with such rapidity 

 that before one kind can be fully tested another is pressed on our notice, 

 consequently we are taking up many of our old varieties which have been 

 overlooked. 



According to my experience it takes from fifteen to twenty years to bring 

 into general cultivation any variety of new fruit. 



I would advise every cultivator to sow a few pear seeds from choice fruit, 

 and no doubt we shall hear of some valuable varieties produced from them. 



Mr. Dana has done me the honor to give this pear my name. It is of 

 nearly medium size, about three inches long and two and three-quarter inches 

 in diameter, form obovatc regular, largest about the middle, narrowing to 

 each end, with a small crown; its color is a rich crimson russet, dotted 

 witli white and grayish specks-, its flesh yellowish white, fine, melting, 

 and very juicy; its flavor sugary, refreshing and luscious, with a most 

 delicate, peculiar and indescribable aroma; ripens in November and De- 

 cember, and with proper care may be kept until the tenth of January. It 

 never rots at the core, but begins on the outside, which may be ctit off 

 witlunit injuring the flavor of that which remains. 



The tree is almost as remarkable as its fruit. It is very vigorous though 

 not a rapid grower, making a stocky, short-jointed wood, like the Seckel; 

 in habit it is erect and pyramidal like the BufFum; its leaves are rather 

 broadly ovate, and of a deep glossy green, maintaining their color and 

 holding on to the tree till late in autumn. 



There is an old adage, " that the proof of the pudding is in the eating." 

 I propose that those present now taste the fruit and express their opinion 

 as to its merits. 



At the conclusion of Mr. Hovey's remarks the pear was examined and 

 tested, after which Mr. Solon Robinson offered the following resolution: 



Bejiolc^d, That the Dana's Hovey is the best winter pear known by the 

 Club, which resolution was seconded by Mr. Wm. S. Carpenter and unani- 

 mously adopted. 



Mr. Carpenter paid a very liigh encomium to Mr. Greeley for the offer of 

 his liberal prixes, which alone were sufficient to attract the attention of 

 such men as Mr. Hovey, and bring him here to make known to the world 

 8uch a valuable new variety of fruit. 



What Ails the Pumpkins ? 



Dr. John B. Rich stated that a disease prevailed among the pumpkins in 

 Columbia county, N, Y., more fatal to the crop than the rot ever had been 

 to potatoes. Upon his own farm and some of his neighbors' the pumpkins 

 had almost universally rotted. lie made the statement for the purpose of 

 inquiring if the disease prevailed in any other section, and if any one knew 

 the caiisc or a remedy. The decay has taken place since the fruit was 

 fully ripe. 



Dr. Wellington said that he had never seen pumpkins sounder or better 

 than they were this year iu Massachusetts. 

 lAk. Inst.1 L 



