DECEMBER. 357 
fruit through skilful management, and under difficulties unknown to 
our continental neighbours. 
As you observed last month, the principal fruit sent for competition 
occupied two long benches in the large room, and was admirably arranged, 
so that visitors had every facility of viewing it. In the centre were 
ornamental plants and Pine-apples, and I also noticed two very nice 
groups of fruit, suitable for centre pieces on dinner tables. These were 
made up of black and white Grapes, Apples, Pears, and small Gourds, 
very gracefully intermixed with berries cf the Crataegus, Snowberry, 
and Pernettyas, the effect of which was charming, and showed what 
might be effected with taste, even with common-place materials. 
Another room contained several large collections of Apples and Pears 
sent for exhibition only. One of these tables contained large collections 
from Belvoir Castle, Kibston Park, and Stourton ; and it was gratifying 
to observe that some of the fruit in those exhibitions was quite equal 
to the produce of the south. Those from Ribston fully illustrated the 
suitability of the limestone of the district for the growth of the Apple. 
Mr. Rivers also sent a very interesting collection of 48 sorts of 
Pears, among which were many new kinds, such as Alexandre Lambre, 
an excellent new variety ripening in December; Beurre Clairgeau, a very 
large handsome new Pear, but not of first-rate quality ; Swan’s Orange, 
a pretty American sort, said to be excellent; Bergamotte d’Esperen, a 
late Pear, ripening from March to May, very hardy, and a free bearer ; 
Beurre Gris d’Hiver Nouveau, an excellent Jaiiuary kind; Leopold the 
First, a new middle sized melting January variety ; Beurre Bachelier, 
a new melting Pear ; Due de Brabant (Millet), a new and large late 
soit. Those exhibited, we believe, were the first fruited in England. 
A written statement accompanied each case of fruit in this exhibition, 
showing under what circumstances it had been produced, which made 
the collection doubly interesting. 
Messrs. Paul, of Cheshunt, likewise contributed a large collection of 
Pears; in addition to which there were other contributors of less 
magnitude, and a large assortment of Gourds was shown by Messrs. 
Lee, of Hammersmith, Messrs. Charlwood and Cummins, of Covent 
Garden, and Mr. May, of Wellington Street. These, as may be 
supposed, attracted a good deal of notice, owing to the curious forms and 
various colours of the different varieties exhibited. 
In the class of Pears of home growth—twelve sorts, six of each— 
there were several competitors, the first prize being won by Mr. Ingram, 
Royal Gardens, Frogrnore, with fruit which for size and beauty were 
truly magnificent. They consisted of Van Mons Leon le Clerc, very 
large ; Beurre Diel, very large and beautifully coloured; fine specimens 
of Seckel, an American variety of great merit; fine clear specimens of 
Marie Louise and Glou Morceau—well known Flemish sorts. The 
former is in use at Frogrnore for a length of time; this is accomplished 
by gathering at different periods, some remaining on the trees as late 
as November. The other kinds in the collection were Beurre de 
Capiaumont; Beurre Ranee, fine, from a north wall; Vicar of Wink- 
field ; Hacon’s Incomparable, and Brougham, both very hardy varieties, 
the latter one of the late Mr. Knight’s seedlings; Beurre Bose; and 
