114 THE PEAE. 



gro-wn by cultivators of the Pear, and has proved to be tolerably 

 hardy, as regards our climate, but quite susceptible to the disease 

 known as fire blight. Indeed our own experience with it has 

 been very discouraging, for as soon as the trees come into bearing 

 they aU go with this disease, and although we have made re- 

 peated trials, there is not now a bearing tree left. 



The tree has an upright habit, is moderately vigorous, comes 

 soon into bearing and yields abundantly. The fruit is small, 

 clear yeUow with a ruddy warm cheek, juicy, sugary, rich, with a 

 pleasant perfume; quality "very good." Eipe about the middle 

 of August. ■ 



Sbokei,. — Seekle. — This is probably the highest flavored Pear 

 in the world, and has become a standard of excellence by which 

 the quality of other Pears is .measured. The tree also is one of 

 the most healthy, adapting itself to a very great variety of soils 

 and climates, and remarkably exempt from diseases of every 

 description, even escaping almost entirely the mysterious fire 

 blight. It is also one of the more hardy sorts, capable of sus- 

 taining the rigor of a Canadian winter with almost the same 

 endurance as the Flemish Beauty. It is also an abundant bearer, 

 and although a slow grower, is erect in form, and makes a neat, 

 compact head. 



The fruit is small, of a yellowish cinnamon russet, with a 

 ruddy brown cheek ; flesh melting, very juicy, buttery, with an 

 exceedingly rich spicy flavor, and very pleasant perfume ; quality 

 " best." Eipe in October. 



It is an American variety, supposeed to have originated on 

 the farm of a Mr. Seckel, near the city of Philadelphia. 



Sheldon. — After growing this variety for some time we are 

 forced to the conclusion that it is of very variable quality, and 

 that it will succeed well only on strong, well drained soils, 

 abounding in lime. Possibly as the tree acquires age the fruit 

 may be better and less variable, but in our experience the fire 

 I blight saves it from all the burdens of age. When well developed 

 the fruit is above medium size, of a greenish yellow russet color, 



