368 On Cultivating Early and Late Varieties of the Pear. 



the south exposure that is used for the produce of early and 

 late sorts of Pears, in the climate of Scotland, the benefit is 

 great. 



By having the branches of Pear trees, alternately, one early 

 the other late, there are as it were two chances of success ; the 

 Jargonelle being very early in blossom, if that fails in con- 

 sequence of unfavourable weather, the late sort flowering at 

 another time may succeed. Another advantage arises from 

 the crop coming in at different seasons. The Jargonelle 

 ripens off before much effort is required from the tree to 

 support the late sort, so that the tree is more capable of 

 supplying nourishment to half a crop of Jargonelles, than if 

 the crop were all of that sort ; and as the early Pears are all 

 gathered before the late sort begins to swell to size, the tree 

 is at once relieved from half its crop, and in that case more 

 enabled to mature in greater perfection its late produce. My 

 experience in the practice enables me to state that the trees 

 produce finer fruit in this way than if they were all of one 

 sort. If you think this Communication worthy your notice, 

 I shall be gratified, 



and have the honour to be, Sir, 



your very obedient Servant, 



Duncan Montgomery. 



Buchanan, 

 December 31, 1825. 



Note by the Secretary. 

 It is, as far as my observation has extended, very much the 

 practice in Scotland to grow several varieties of Pears on the 



