710 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE 



small as it is we have concentrated all the spiciness and honied sweetness con- 

 tained in any pear, though quadruple it in size. Indeed it is not surpassed 

 probably not equaled, and the form, habit, thrift and hardiness of the tree 

 commend it to the American orchardist. Cultivation has been doing much 

 for the size of the Seckel within a few years. Now when well grown it is so 

 highly appreciated as to command quite as high a price in our markets as any 

 other pear. 



The Sterling, a pear decidedly inferior in richness of character, ripening 

 with the early Bartlett, I esteem very highly. It grows on a beautiful iip- 

 right tree, is itself so delicate looking, having a beautiful yellowish white 

 sk!n, and a tinge of red coloring its cheek, with here and there one with a crim- 

 son blush all over its face, as Ave say of the maiden, coloring to the very eye 

 lids. Ripened in the house it is one of the most attractive pears in appear- 

 ance, and though not of very fine flesh it is still juicy enough and melting 

 enough, with a sugary, brisk flavor to make it the most inviting pear of its 

 season, though ripening later it would lose caste by the side of the Beurre Diel, 

 Beurre d'Anjou, and other late autumn varieties. 



Nest comes the Belle Lucrative or Fondante d'Automne, Flemish Beauty 

 and Onondaga. The Belle Lucrative, of Flemish origin, is undoubtedly one of 

 the highest flavored pears. This and the Flemish Beauty are among the few 

 that are probably as good with us as in their native locality. The period is 

 short in which both these pears may be said to be in good eating condition, 

 very quickly commencing to decay, the Flemish Beauty at its core, so that 

 while they are pears of high excellence they will never be very desirable for 

 family or commercial use, though both when well grown will ever be highly 

 regarded by the amateur of cultivated taste. The. Onondaga, of American 

 origin and American all over, of good size, good looking and of good quality, 

 following closely the Bartlett in its period of ripening, fills a gap that would 

 otherwise be left till the Duchess d'Angouleme, Beurre Diel, and Beurre 

 d'Anjou make their appearance. After ten yeai's more observation I feel like 

 repeating with a strong commendation, what I said of the Onondaga in 1856. 

 Its fair size, smooth skin, of pale yellow, and when fully ripe, rich golden 

 color, make befitting the expression, magnificent in color as well as size; of 

 rich, juicy and aromatic flavor, flesh moderately fine grained. It is a most 

 vigorous grower on its own stock, and uniformly an abundant bearer, but not 

 at all adapted to the quince ; in this respect resembling other American 

 varieties. Maturing between the Bartlett and Beurre Diel, at a time when 

 nothing is comparable to it in size, it commends itself particularly for its 

 commercial value. 



The Sheldon, an American variety, though recently introduced has already 

 established a character for excellence that commends it at least to the amateur. 

 It is uniformly melting, juicy, with a brisk, vinous, and highly perfumed flavor, 

 and when well grown above medium size. If it proves as good on a more ex- 

 tended acquaintance, and as well adapted to other localities as the one iu 

 which it originated, we shall regard it as a great acquii^ition. 



The Doyenne Boussock of large size, comparing favorably in this respect 

 with the Onondaga, a pear of excellent quality, though by no means of the 

 highest flavor, has a similar mission with the Onondaga; but like the Belle 



