1875. ] 
LUCY GRIEVE PEAR. 
85 
Lettuce of approved Cabbage and White Cos kinds, Parsley , and an early bit of 
Beet for immediate autumnal use. Radishes must be sown according to fancy, 
or need; do not, however, sow the new Californian Eadish at this time, nor 
until the summer is fairly passing, or it is more than likely that the crop will 
run to seed, instead of forming its fleshy base. Herbs and all smaller seeds must be 
sown towards the end of the month upon finely raked rich soil, and in warm 
sunny situations. 
Maintain a nice genial warmth of 70° to Cucumbers; give all the air possible 
whenever the outer air is temperate and u softshut up the house or frame close 
towards 3 o’clock, and well bathe the plants and all internal surfaces with tepid 
water, again giving a little air at the apex or along the back towards 6 p.m. 
Encourage growth at all times, but do not over-crop at any. When a rapid growth 
is commenced, aid its onward progress with weak waterings of liquid manure. 
Particularly attend to insect-pests in regard to these plants, occasionally fumigating 
the structure as a preventive.— William Earley, Valentines. 
LUCY GRIEVE PEAR. 
WITH AN ILLUSTRATION. 
F we cannot claim for Old England the parentage of many of our favourite 
Pears, we may at least assign to her some of the very best in quality, and 
among these must rank the subject of our present illustration, of which 
excellent samples were sent to us last autumn by Mr. Grieve, of Culford. 
Its history is comprised in the following lines, also communicated by Mr. Grieve 
It happened very long ago— 
How long ? we scarcely seem to know— 
A fair young child, in joyous glee, 
Pluck’d with her daring little hand 
A ripe Pear from a tree ; 
And ate the mellow fruit she chose 
With all the zest which childhood knows. 
But marvelled in its inmost core 
Some dark brown pips to see ; 
And marvelled more to hear it told 
That each small pip, so plump and bold, 
Might yet become a tree. 
Then thoughtfully she pondered long 
How this thing could be so, 
And lastly in a pot of earth 
A tiny seed did sow. 
That seed became a living plant, 
And claimed her willing care, 
While promises were kindly mado 
With friends its fruit to share. 
In time the plant became a tree, 
With foliage bright and fair; 
The child a merry little maid, 
In favour everywhere. 
Affection cherished still the tree, 
Which cold and storm could bravo, 
But long before it bore a fruit, 
The maid was in her grave. 
Aid when at last it ripened fruit, 
They who full well do know, 
Declare on England’s fertile soil 
No richer e-’er did grow ; 
And say how that a fruit so choice, 
Its raiser’s name should bear, 
And be hereafter always known 
As little Lucy’s Pear. 
As will be seen from our figure, this variety is remarkable for its long narrow wil- 
low-like leaves, whicli give the tree a peculiar appearance. The fruit is full medium 
size, oblong pyriform, broadest just above the middle, its average weight exceed¬ 
ing 7 oz. The stalk is over half-an-inch in length, set in a very shallow depression, 
the sides of which are slightly unequal; the eye is closed, and set in a shallow 
even cavity. The colour is a clear deep lemon-yellow, thinly marked with russet 
dots, and having a small rusfeet patch about the eye and the stalk. The flesh is 
moderately firm, fine-grained, tender and melting, very juicy, with a rich luscious 
flavour, and a slight and agreeable dash of acidity, such as is occasionally met 
with in the Glou Morceau. The odour of the fruit is penetrating and agreeable, 
