Ripening of Pears in 1837-8-9. 141 



tainrnent of the object above "mentioned; for, except, perhaps, with regard 

 to kitchen apples, it is better to have a large quantity of saccharine matter 

 in small compass, than a large acid developement, occasioned by a rich but 

 cold soil. In former times, the monks placed slates below their fruit 

 trees, but some more effectual interposition is necessary. If pears, for 

 mstance, be found to ripen so as to have a rich flavour in some soils, and only 

 indifferently in others, all other circumstances being similar, let the nature of 

 both soils be ascertained, as well as that of the substrata, and the difference 

 noted. A soil moderately rich, and adapted for imbibing the rays of the sun 

 to a considerable depth, is undoubtedly the best. Means may be inadver- 

 tently employed to dissipate this genial heat, and frequently are so ; what 

 progress may be made with regard to an opposite mode of proceeding, and the 

 consequent results, time must determine. 



Art. X. Some Remarks on the Ripening of Pears, in the Years 

 1837, 1838, and 1839. By T. Rivers, Jun. 



Beurue' be Ranz (not Ranee, as it is commonly called) proves to be one 

 of the hardiest of the Belgian varieties, and bears most abundantly as a 

 standard ; but this present season, quite contrary to my calculations, as I 

 feared the fruit would not ripen owing to the cold and wet summer, these 

 pears have come into use two or three months before their usual period, 

 and are now, at this present time, January 20th, quite ripe, and in fine per- 

 fection ; being more juicy and higher-flavoured than I ever tasted them. 

 They were gathered from young standard trees, growing in a warm sandy 

 loam, subsoil pure sand. The fruit from the same trees, last year, 1837, were 

 not fit for the table till June, 1838, and some of them were preserved without 

 difficulty till July. 



Hacon's Incomparable, or, more properly, the Downham Seedling, (as Mr. 

 Hacon had no more to do with raising it from seed, than the baker in whose 

 yard the original tree grows, planted by no one knows whom, or when,) may, 

 most certainly, be called one of the finest pears known. The fruit ripened 

 this season very early in December, scarcely keeping till Christmas, from 

 young standard trees. In ordinary seasons, this fine pear is fit for the table 

 during the whole of December and January. No fruit can be more delicious, 

 from standards. The fruit is as long and handsome as full-sized Crassane 

 pears from walls ; and most like them in shape and colour. The tree is pen- 

 dulous, and very hardy and prolific. 



Bon Chretien Fondant, as in last season, has proved soft, dry, and worthless, 

 ripening early in November. This sort is an early bloomer, and liable to be 

 cut off' by spring frosts. 



The Aston Town Pear proves to be a most excellent variety ; juicy, melt- 

 ing, and high-flavoured. Fruit from standards was in perfection this year till 

 the end of November. This is a very hardy and prolific variety. 



Comte de Lauriy is also a most excellent pear, remarkably full of a sugary 

 refreshing juice. This is a very hardy sort, withstanding the sharp frosts of 

 last spring as well or better than most varieties. 



The Easter Beurre has now failed three years successively, owing to the 

 frosty springs and its habit of blooming very early. This is the most preco- 

 cious, and the most abundant-flowering pear known ; but not by any means a 

 plentiful bearer. This season fruit from young standards appear as if they 

 would keep till March ; other seasons, I have known them quite ripe in the 

 beginning of December. 



Beurre Diet, in spite of the last unpropitious summer, ripened well from 

 standards ; and, as usual, the fruit were fit for the table all December. For 

 those who like a musky perfumed pear, this is good ; it has proved more 

 hardy than the Easter beurre, having borne well these two bygone seasons. 



