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XLIV. Description of some Varieties of Pears and Apples 

 received by the Society in the same Seasons of ] 818 and IS] 9, 

 from Mr. Louis Stoffels, of Mechlin, in Flanders, 

 Corresponding Member of the Society. By Mr. John 

 Turner, Assistant Secretary. 



Read, October 17th, 1820. 



The several collections of Pears and Apples which the 

 Society has received in the two last seasons from their very 

 valuable Correspondent, Mr. Stoffels of Mechlin, appeared 

 to contain so many excellent varieties not known, or at 

 least not cultivated in this country, that I have thought 

 a particular account of such of them as can be accurately 

 described would not be unacceptable; the more so, as grafts 

 of most of these have already reached this country. 



Of the decided superiority of the new sorts of Flemish 

 Pears over those both of France and England the So- 

 ciety has had frequent opportunities of judging. I am dis- 

 posed to think that this superiority is not to be attributed in 

 any great degree to the soil or climate, as some have sup- 

 posed, but to the spirit which has long prevailed in Flanders, 

 of raising new varieties in great numbers. 



Among those cultivators who have most distinguished 

 themselves in this pursuit was the late Comte de Coloma 

 of Mechlin, who, during a very long life, was indefatigable in 

 adding to the stores which his country previously possessed. 

 To Dr. Van Mons, the present Professor of Chemistry and 

 Rural Economy at Louvain, the lovers of horticulture are 



