PROCEEDINGS OF THE HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. 715 



Glout Morceau is equally capricious, and while tlic Vicar of Winkfiold is fair 

 in the vicinity of Boston, it is not a vicar at all in the neighborhood of New 

 York. 



To return to the selection of the best. Since it is expected we would advise 

 those about entering upon this branch of horticulture in the selection of their 

 varieties, and are yet reluctant to assume the responsibiliiy, so embarrassing 

 is the task, I propose to compromise the matter, if compromise it can be 

 called, by telling what with my experience and observation in the orchard 

 over the twenty years past, I would plant were I about entering anew upon 

 the work. And first, as to our summer varieties. We have here the Dear- 

 born Seedling and Andrews of Massachusetts ; the Bloodgood, Osband's Sum- 

 mer, and Beurre Giiford, of New York ; the Tyson, Brandywine and Moya- 

 meusing, of Pennsylvania, with the Madeline, Doyenne d'Ete, Manning's 

 Elizabeth and Rostiezer of foreign origin, each of which has had its turn of 

 being lauded as the best-. To name them in the order of ripening, you have 

 the Madeline, Doyenne d'Ete, Beurre Gifford, Bloodgood, Manning's Eliza- 

 beth, Osband's Summer, Dearborn Seedling, llostiezer, and Moyamensing. 



In the Massachusetts Horticultural society's report of 1854, we find the 

 following : " The Rostiezer, Tyson and Brandywine always good. Until we 

 can get as good summer pears as these, no others should be recommended for 

 general cultivation." And yet in New York and Pennsylvania in the opinion 

 of the best growers the Beurre Gifi"ord is superior. Barry says, if confined to 

 one early pear, it would be the Beurre Gifi'ord. It has been tested extensively 

 in Massachusetts and in the Middle States, and wherever tried, has been 

 regarded as a fruit of great promise, and in Pennsylvania as the very best 

 summer pear. The Doyenne d'Ete also has many points of excellence to 

 commend it to the orchardist, for instance, its great earliness, ripening with 

 the Madeline, its attractive appearance, exhibiting a blush on its sunny side 

 and the enormous crop it uniformly bears, that I should not feel willing to do 

 without it. My selection of summer pears would then be the Doyenne d'Ete, 

 Bloodg-ood, Beurre Gifford and Manning's Elizabeth. The Rostiezer is too 

 fine a pear to be omitted in any collection, though confined as it ever will be 

 to the grounds of the amateur, as will be also the Tyson and Brandywine. 

 For their period of ripening being delayed till the Bartlett makes its appear- 

 ance, with which no pear now known will compete, in view of the demand for 

 it as an orchard fruit, detracts immensely from their commercial value. Both 

 the Tyson and the Brandywine may be regarded by the amateur as richer, 

 more sugary and melting, while equally aromatic with the Bartlett. The 

 beautiful, deep yellow color contrasting with the fine crimson cheek makes the 

 Tyson a most inviting fruit. 



We are inclined to head the list of autumn pears with the one first ripening, 

 viz : the Bartlett ; too well known and universally appreciated for its size, 

 beauty and excellence, to need any commendation. We probably assume 

 nothing in saying the Seckcl is the richest and most exquisitely flavored pear 

 grown, and being an American seems to be at home in every part of our country, 

 in the hedge wiiere it originated as well as in the garden, and like the emblem 

 of our nationiility wherever known, is known but to be respected. Rivers 

 accepts It as in full return for the Bartlett, and well may lie, for in the Seckel, 



