274 THE FLORIST AND 



years, and was satisfied that it was by far the best winter pear in existence, 

 for any place where it ripens as well as it does in Rochester. Had he the 

 convenience, he would plant twenty acres with this tree. 



Mr. Eaton, of Buffalo, had eaten it in perfection as late as the 22d of 

 April, and considered it the best pear he had ever eaten. It is a good 

 grower, a good bearer, and is unapproachable as a winter pear. 



Mr. Walker said the Easter Beurre had always been a favorite with him. 

 He learned from his friend, Mr. Berchman, of Belgium, that the Monks 

 always reserved the Easter Beurre for their especial palate, and he con- 

 sidered that a pretty good indication of its superiority. Finer pears never 

 were grown — better never were eaten. It is not, however, so good in this 

 region as it is in other parts of the country. Mr. Walker moved that the 

 Easter Beurre be placed among the varieties for cultivation in particular 

 localities. 



Mr. Barry said the demand for this tree is so great they cannot be 

 obtained, either in this country or in Europe. 



Mr. Wilder would like to see it placed upon the list which promise well 

 for certain localities. Specimens had been exhibited at the Massachusetts 

 Horticultural Society's exhibition, weighing fourteen, and sixteen ounces, 

 and they had been sold as high as one dollar for a single specimen. When 

 properly ripened, fifty cents each have been paid for them readily. 



Mr. Walker was inclined to think that the Easter Beurre pear was a 

 little too old to be placed in the list of pears which promise well. If fifty 

 years of practice and experience with it is not enough to enable us to 

 determine its true position, let it die. It would be better to withdraw it 

 altogether than to place it in the list of varieties which promise well. We 

 should place in that list varieties only that we are pretty well acquainted 

 Tsith, — new pears that have been cultivated long enough to determine their 

 quality. 



The discussion was continued at some length by a great number of mem- 

 bers. Various motions were offered and withdrawn, until, finally, it was 

 voted unanimously to lay the subject upon the table until the next biennial 

 meeting ; the Society, in its associate capacity, expressing no opinion. 



The qualities of the following varieties of pears were briefly considered, 

 and they were placed in the list of varieties which promise well : Grande 

 Soleil, Jaune De Witt, Walker King Sessing, Belle Noel or Fondante de 

 Noel, Doyenne Sieule, Pius Ninth, Fondante de Malines, Beurre Sturk- 

 man, Rousselette Esperine, Zepherine Gregoire, Theodore Van Mons, and 

 Compte de Flandres. 



