638 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



some of their trees are now being altered to produce many fine varieties. 

 He had seedlings sent to hira almost every day. 



The President said it was due to Mr. Carpenter to state that it was 

 through his instrumentality that this society has had the opportunity of 

 witnessing this really fine display of foreign fruits, and he would suggest 

 that the horticultural committee be requested to take the proper action in 

 regard to testifying our appreciation of Mr. Leroy's munificent contribu- 

 tion to our erJiibition. 



Mr, Jireh Bull said he felt happy in seconding the motion as suggested 

 by the President. Tliis was the second gift of Mr. Leroy to the Institute, 

 and he was informed that Mr. Leroy would be very happy to send whatever 

 might be of interest to us here. The motion was adopted. 



On motion of Dr. John B. Rich, the committee on large fruit were re- 

 quested to make a critical examination of the fruit sent by Mr. Leroy. 



On motion the President of the Association was added to the committee. 



Mr. W, S. Carpenter exhibited a seedling pear from the estate of Mr. 

 Beekman, in Westchester county, and said there was but one tree of this 

 variety in this country ; the tree is perhaps thirty yeai's old. The fruit 

 was known as the Beekman pear, and should be named such by this Asso- 

 ciation. The pear seems to be most prized — more so than the apple — but 

 the latter, in a commercial point of view, is more valuable. Some of the 

 farmers in the western country would scarcely live but that the millions of 

 bushels of apples raised annually by them aids materially in supporting 

 the population of the country, so the apple must be considered the more 

 valuable fruit of the two, and then it is adapted. to a greater variety of 

 uses than the pear, and an article that is largely exported ; yet, as a . 

 luxury, the pear is more highly esteemed. There are millions of trees now 

 being grown, which, in a short time, will yield immensely. There are 

 thousands of acres of pear trees alone, and yet the supply is not equal to 

 the demand. He hoped that' the day was near when we shall have the 

 pear in this country in something like abundance, and so cheap as to be 

 staple in every household. He was informed that the pear in France com- 

 mands now a greater price than it did in ten years. There need be no fear 

 of an over-abundance of fruit being grown, as it has alwaji^s been found 

 that the greater the supply the demand will be in accordance. 



The Beekman pear he would esteem quite equal to the " Bartlett," but 

 it does not possess so high a flavor; the Bartlett is objectionable on account 

 of its musty flavor. This pear is about secoftd rate, but equal to the Bart- 

 lett, quite juicy and very productive. There is but one tree of this kind, 

 so we cannot judge it very thoroughly. It is a medium size pear, of yel- 

 low color, with red cheeks, and ripens first of October. 



On motion the pear was named the " Beekman pear." 



Mr. W. S. Carpenter exhibited a seedling apple raised by Dr. Scribner^ 

 of Bedford, Westchester county, N. Y. It was, he said, so tender as to 

 scarcely bear transportation, and almost melts in the mouth like a pear. 

 It seems to possess many merits. 



This apple would be considered by some as first rate, in consequence 

 of its mellow flavor. The tree is very thrifty, and highl}' esteemed by the 

 family of Dr. Scribner, and is used both as a table and cooking apple. It 



