PEARS. 161 



to ripen. The chief reason seems to be, that the leaves 

 fall too soon, l^ature can not perform her functions, and, 

 therefore, the fruit is deficient in those peculiar qualities 

 for ripening, which are necessary for it. Hot, dry wea- 

 ther, of which we often have so much, deprives the tree 

 prematurely of its leaves. It is not so frequent in the 

 East as with us ; we having a richer soil also. The Glout 

 Morceau is one of the latest to shed its leaves. Those 

 kinds which hold their leaves longest, are the best trees 

 to bear Winter fruit. "Winter ISTelis is likely to be a good 

 early bearer here. IS'a tolerably good grower, although it 

 is hard to make a handsome tree of it. The Glout Morceau 

 bears well on the quince, but ripens with some, rather 

 poorly. Others speak well of it for ripening, compared 

 with other Winter pears generally. (See Appendix, p. 86.) 



GOLDEN BEUEEB OF BILBOA. Color, rich yel- 

 low, with russet dots ; form, obovate ; size, 2 ; use, des- 

 sert; texture, juicy, melting, sweetish ; quality, 1; season, 

 August and September. 



Eemarks. — Spanish origin. Tree hardy. Eequires a 

 rich, strong, heavy soil. Exhibited by Wm. Heaver, and 

 Mr. Hatch (those of the latter very finely colored, as is 

 usual with this gentleman's fruit, from some cause, per- 

 haps sunny exposures and superior cultivation), August, 

 1855. Decision of the Fruit Committee — " Juicy, sweet, 

 buttery, melting, and good, but not of the highest flavor." 

 Very fine, buttery, and very juicy, equal to Belle Lucra- 

 tive, or Fondante d'Automne. It is a rich-looking and 

 very good pear. 



Grand Soleil. Color, orange yellow ; form, roundish ; 

 size, 2 ; use, table ; texture, white, crisp, buttery, melting ; 

 quality^ 2 ; season, October. 



Eemarks. — Tree vigorous well formed, productive. 

 14 



