By Thomas Andrew Knight, Esq, 105 



It is a very small Pear, compared with the Passe Colmar 

 grown upon a south wall, on which alone the Passe Colmar will 

 succeed in this vicinity, and then only in fine seasons. The 

 Downton Pear usually becomes yellow early in December, at 

 which period an estimate of its merits appears to have been formed ; 

 but its proper season is February; and I have seen it in high 

 perfection in the last week in April, and then still retaining a de- 

 gree of freshness in its taste, which is almost peculiar to it. I 

 have many grafted trees of this variety, which have borne very 

 freely the third year after having been grafted, though placed 

 in cold and unfavourable situations ; and the form assumed by 

 all the trees, which I have seen, is very perfect, and their growth 

 very rapid. I think that the comparative merits of the fruit have 

 been rather underrated ; and that its smallness is its chief defect. 

 It possesses one good property, which many varieties do not pos- 

 sess; its flesh becomes soft and melting, though it be gathered 

 whilst immature; and under such circumstances its juice is very 

 sweet, though it continues somewhat astringent. I annex a draw- 

 ing of this variety, which represents it of the largest size, which it 

 has yet been seen to attain on a standard tree. 



Wormsley Grange. 



Very cylindrical. Skin cinnamon colour, with a pale speckling. Flesh yellow, melting, 

 very juicy, sweet and rich; in perfection in the end of October, and as good as a 

 Chaumontel which it is very like. 



The merits of this Pear have appeared to me to be more affected 

 by more* or less favourable seasons than those of some others. It 

 ripens early, and if suffered to remain late upon the tree in warm 

 seasons, it will acquire a deep yellow colour, and become mealy in 

 some degree. But when it has been gathered in proper time, and 

 in a favourable season, it has proved most excellent. The sample 

 sent to London was not a good one. 



VOL. I. 2nd series. P 



