XXVU. 2. THE PEAR. A387 
The Apple, the Pear, the Service, the Beam-tree and the 
Mountain Ash, besides several less important plants, belong to 
this genus. 
The Pear Tres, P. communis, is too well known to need a 
description, and several writers have given directions for its 
cultivation in this climate. It grows rapidly and forms a tall 
and finely shaped head; the fruit is agreeable and wholesome 
as food, and the juice forms a pleasant liquor; and it isto be 
regretted that this tree is not more frequently planted. Rows 
of the pear tree might often border road-sides and divisions of 
lands, with little injury to the grass or other vegetation, and 
to the great relief of travellers, and the protection of orchards 
and gardens. 
There are few in any community, certainly in ours, so lost to 
a sense of right, and so insensible of gratitude, as to desire to 
make depredations on the property of their neighbors, when 
their hunger may be appeased, and their taste gratified, by the 
fruit of trees standing by the road-side. And how much enjoy- 
ment would be given to that class, always to be found, in every 
country, who have no fruit trees of their own, by planting a 
number of such trees, in every village, and along every public 
road, for the very purpose of being, and being considered, public 
property! A more effectual and benevolent way of protecting 
valuable fruit trees, and preventing depredations, cannot easily 
be devised. On this point, Gerard, a quaint but earnest old 
writer upon plants, uses an exhortation, the spirit of which we 
hope many may be ready to adopt. ‘“ Forward,” says he, “in 
the name of God, grafte, set, plant and nourish up trees in every 
corner of your ground; the labor is small, the cost is nothing; 
the commodity is great; yourselves shall have plenty ; the poor 
shall have somewhat in time of want, to relieve their necessity ; 
and God shall reward your goode mindes and diligence.—(Her- 
bal, p. 1459.) Loudon says he was much struck with the lines 
of fruit trees which bordered all the public roads in the south of 
Germany, the apples and pears being bent almost to the ground 
with their loads of fruit. 
The wood of the pear is of a reddish white color, heavy, firm, 
