640 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



Coil's Beurre originated in Northern Ohio. A variety of great excel- 

 lence ; fruit of medium size ; color, cinnamon russet ; ripening in Septem- 

 ber and October. 



Jackson originated in Vermont. Large, yellow, sweet, juicy and fine 

 flavored. Season, September. 



Pratt originated in Rhode Island. Large medium, yellow; quality, best. 



Lodge, from Pennsylvania. A russet pear ; quality good. September. 



Mirium originated iu Roxbury, Mass. Large medium. A russet pear 

 of ver}' fine quality. October. 



Wilmington, a seedling of Dr. Brinckle, of Philadelphia, medium size, 

 russet. This is one of the most promising new pears ; season, September. 



Richards, originated by Mary Richards, of Wilmington, Delaware. I 

 fruited this pear for the first time this season. It is nearly as large as the 

 Bartlett, and a fine variety. Season, September and October. 



Leggett, originated in Westchester county; a medium sized, excellent 

 pear; ripening the last of August. 



Church — This also originated in Westchester county. Medium, yellow, 

 Bergamotte shape ; a pear of first quality. October. 



Clapp's Favorite — This fine pear was originated by Mr. Clapp, of Dor- 

 chester, Mass. A variety of great excellence, as large as the Bartlett, 

 yellow and very handsome, ripening in September. 



Halsted's Beurre originated in Westchester county. I fruited this new 

 pear for the first time this season. It is a large, handsome pear, keeping 

 until April ; promising well. Dana's Hovey originated in Mass. Intro- 

 duced to the public by C. M. Hovey, of Boston. A medium sized pear, of 

 great excellence, keeping into January. 



It is most gratifying to know that pomology has not been stationary in 

 this day of progress. It is now only about thirty years since the estab- 

 lishment of the first Horticultural Society in America; there are now seve- 

 ral hundred iu this State, working together iu harmony, and aiding ia 

 developing new and improved varieties of fruit, which must be regarded 

 as among the great interests of the age. Fruit is rapidly becoming one of 

 the most valuable products of our country. The crop of last year was esti- 

 mated at nearly ^$100, 000,000. Thirty years ago it was not deemed worthy 

 of a place in our national statistics. This progress should clieer us on- 

 ward, and encourage us to greater perseverance. I would prefer the honor 

 of introducing an apple, a pear, or a grape of decided merit, to the proudest 

 victory which has been won on the battle-field. But the production of new 

 and improved varieties of fruit is not the only work for the pomologist. He 

 will discover that fruit trees will not take care of themselves. We must 

 realize, therefore, that without care and skill in the orchard no satisfactory 

 results can be obtained. 



Experience has taught us the importance of thinning our fruit. Many 

 varieties liave a tendency to over-bearing, and unless a portion of the fruit 

 is removed, we fail to get anj' good, well-developed specimens. An over- 

 crop of fruit is most injurious to the tree, exhausting its energies and pro- 

 ducing premature decay. How few appreciate the beauty of a well trained 

 tree, which should in itself be a link to bind us to our homes. Our highest 

 aim and ambition should be to make the inmates of our dwellings happy 



