112 



THE FLORIST AND P0M0L0GIST. 



REMARKS ON PEARS. 

 I noticed with some interest the observations of Mr. Tillery, on keeping 

 Apples and Pears, in the Florist and Pomologist for February, page 13, 

 and also his just remarks on the qualities of the Winter Nelis Pear; but for 

 the sake of those who may not have it on different aspects, I may say that 

 Mr. Tillery's plan may be followed with Pears upon one tree by merely 

 gathering the ripest at different periods. I wrote on this in a former paper, 

 and now state my opinion that many of our autumn and winter Pears are 

 gathered too soon. For instance : Last autumn I left some Marie Louise, Winter 

 Nelis, and some other later kinds on the trees after the leaves were off, and 

 exposed to about 6° of frost. The fruit was kept on shelves in the usual way, 

 and some of the Marie Louise lasted to the 1st of February, and also the 

 Winter Nelis to the 18th March. This is the longest time that I ever kept those 

 two excellent sorts, which were grown upon a south wall. The Winter Nelis 

 were rather large ; the rich flavour, however, of this Pear is nearly equal in 

 those of smaller size ; but for February, the Josephine de Malines is surpassed 

 by none, next to which come the Ne Plus Meuris, Broompark, Knight's 

 Monarch, Beurre Ranee, and perhaps Beurre Duhaume, and also BeurrS Gris 

 d'Hiver. I found all these good in February, this season ; but not so the 

 following : — Beurre Triomphant was juicy, but insipid ; Simon Bouvier, dry 

 and worthless ; Beurre Bretonneau, doubtful ; Jean de Witte, not juicy, but 

 sweet, as^ were the Winter Crasanne, and Susette de Bavay. The last, 

 however, is a great bearer, and is perhaps not very well known ; the inner rind 

 of the peel is of an orange colour, so unlike the green rind of the Beurre Bance 

 already noticed. But those I have found fault with may be otherwise in some 

 seasons and in different situations. For small growers, however, the safest 

 plan is to select those kinds, the general character of which is best understood. 



J. Wighton. 



ZEPHIRIN GREGOIRE PEAR. 



WITH AN ILLUSTRATION. 



Among the new Belgian Pears that have been introduced during the last 

 few years, there is none that ranks higher for the season in which it is at 

 maturity than Zephirin Gregoire. It was raised by M. Gregoire, of Jodoigne, 

 from the same batch of seedlings as produced Louis Gregoire and Souvenir 

 Simon Bouvier. 



The fruit is of medium size, obtuse pyriform, even and regular in its 

 outline and somewhat truncated at the stalk, which is surrounded with several 

 prominent plaits. 



Skin smooth and shining, green at first, and dotted with brown dots, but 

 afterwards becoming pale yellow as it ripens, strewed with cinnamon-coloured 

 dots. ^ When grown against a wall the fruit that is much exposed to the sun 

 sometimes acquires a pale crimson blush. 



Stalk stout, from 1 inch to 1^ long, inserted without depression, and 

 generally with a fleshy swelling at the base where it is attached to the fruit. 



Eye open, and with long acuminate segments not at all depressed. 



Flesh white, tender, juicy, buttery, and melting. Juice abundant, rich, 

 sugary, and with a fine perfume. 



This is a most delicious Pear, and, like Josephine de Malines, is always 

 good. It comes into use in December, and continues till February. 



The tree makes an excellent pyramid, is perfectly hardy in our climate, 

 and is generally a good bearer. 



