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XVIII. Observations on a Seedling Pear raised by Thomas 

 Andrew Knight, Esq. called the Althorp Crasanne. By Mr. 

 Robert Thompson. 



Read January 19, 1836. 



Th e cultivation of fine dessert Pears in this country, before the 

 introduction of the new BeJgic varieties, was necessarily confined 

 to walls ; and, generally speaking, to have attempted otherwise to 

 obtain perfect fruit of such varieties as the Old Colmar, St. Ger- 

 main, and Crasanne, would have proved abortive. Whilst this was 

 the case in regard to the Pear, fine varieties of the Apple, almost 

 innumerable, were originated in Britain, possessing degrees of hardi- 

 ness suitable to its various climates. It appears, therefore, remark- 

 able, that so few successful attempts should have been made to 

 obtain similarly hardy varieties of the Pear. Possibly the supe- 

 riority of the Belgic varieties may have swept away the produce of 

 many attempts to which the advancing spirit of Horticulture may 

 have led, about the time of their introduction ; and certainly a 

 knowledge of these has tended to prevent the promulgation of 

 some seedlings, which otherwise would have been sent out with 

 fair claims to public favor. This has been the case with a large 

 portion of those raised by the skill and indefatigable perseverance 

 of the President of this Society, and which, in order to avoid adding 

 to the multiplicity of varieties are not at all noticed in these 

 Transactions. 



Among those, however, which Mr. Knight has raised, and which 

 will bear competition with the finest of the introduced varieties, 



