i() ]'hk Canadian Ht)Ri ici'i.i l'kist. 



KKI-.riNi; AI'l'LHS. 



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X |)rci)aring iht- ground for some cuttings a week ago. 1 turned u|> a 

 small pear, which, evidently, had fallen from a Brurre Clairgeau tree 

 near by: it was about 2^2 inches long by i inch in diameter at the 

 thickest part, and of the most orthodox pear shape. On removing 

 from it the soil with which it was nearly covered, it presented a beauti- 

 ful appearance, indeed, a friend to whom I showed it, thought it had 

 been a " pt)rcelain pear,' it was most natural in color, being a rich, greenish 

 vellow. with a handsome brownish crimson cheek, and when I cut it open, it had 

 an a«^'reeable. acid smell. I did not taste it, and the seeds were well formed and 

 dark-colored, showing they were ripe. In all respects it was a i)erfect Beurre 

 Clairgeau in miniature. 



The discovery of this pear and its extraordinary condition struck me as being 

 verv remarkable ; because it must have fallen from its parent tree as long ago as 

 earlv July, it had, therefore, laid entombed in moist soil five months, and yet 

 when exhumed it was as fresh as if fresh gathered, and in a sense more so, as it 

 had actually ripened in the earth, which it would not have done, in its then 

 immature condition, on the tree ; indeed, in forty-eight hours exposure to the air 

 and light, it blackened and shrank, decay had commenced. 



The following day I showed the pear to an experienced nurseryman, explain- 

 ing the circumstances under which I found it. It surprised him very much, and 

 his comment was : " if that pear had been kept in the house or even cellar, so 

 long, it would have rotted months ago,"' and so it would. 



Is there any recorded instance of an immature fruit, buried in the earth for 

 five months, being, when brought to the surface, perfectly sound and unchanged 

 in any respect except that which the ripening process had caused ? Surely there 

 must be in earth something more than a merely antiseptic property, there must 

 be a ripening and preservative property also, hitherto latent and unsuspected— 

 perhaps I speak unadvisedly in this.- but which, if common to all soils, may be 

 utilized in various ways, notably in jirolonging the season of pears and apples. 

 and possiblv of other desirable fruits : 



It is certainly my intention, if I live, to experiment in jireserving pears in 

 the soil, which, if successful, will unable us to have this most delicious of fruits 

 on our tables about as many months as we now have them weeks, and what a 

 'consummation devoutly to be wished" this is. 



Is this something new. Mr. Mditor. or is it a " chi'stnut ? " 



forotiio. ]■ ••• I'li'^Mi'soN. 



An Knglish gardener, who h.is had great success in raising radishes, makes 

 liis radish beds with neariy or (piite one-half soft coal ashes and soot. Under 

 this plan his beds are not infested with worms. Michigan Fanmr. 



