22 
THE FLORIST AND FOMOLOGIST. 
until March ; the same of Knight’s Monarch, which is one of the best late 
Pears, whether grown upon walls, espaliers, or standards. Winter Crasanne 
was meallv and worthless off a south-west-aspect wall. Josephine de Mahnes, 
both from walls- and espaliers, was of excellent quality, but the whole crop 
ripened before the usual time ; also Beurre Gris d’Hiyer off a west-aspect 
wall. Beurre Magnifique from an espalier, was very large, but of bad quality, 
as was the case in the previous season. Vicar of Winkfield, both from 
walls and espaliers, was very good, but nearly oyer. In bad seasons that 
beautiful-looking Pear maybe classed with those for cooking. Figue de Naples, 
from an espalier, possessed a high flavour, somewhat like that of Marie Louise. 
Glou Morceau and Easter Beurre, off an espalier, were both of fine quality. 
Prince Albert, from walls with south and west aspects, was gritty and of 
bad flavour. Much has been said of this new Pear, which resembles 
Beurre de Ranee both in size and colour, but not in quality. Mr. Rivers 
seems to doubt its quality, for he observes that it is “ not always good.” Ne 
Plus Meuris, from an espalier, maintained its usual good character, but was 
ripe too soon. Chaumontels, from walls with south and west aspects, ripened 
at the usual time, and some of them were nearly equal to those of Jersey. 
Passe Colmar was inferior, and it is seldom otherwise except when grown on a 
wall with a south aspect; and Winter Bon Chretien the same. Suzette de Bavay 
was unripe, but promised well; also Jean de Witte. Nouvelle Fulvie, from ail 
espalier, was not ripe. I am doubtful of the goodness of this late Pear ; last 
season it kept until March, and rotted while unripe. Shobden Court was 
hardly ripe, but of good flavour. I have doubts respecting the proper name of 
this excellent Pear, which I have grown for some years on espaliers. S t. 
Germain, from a wall with a west aspect, was free from grit and its acrid 
flavour in bad seasons. Winter Nelis and Marie Louise were over, with the 
exception of a few which hung upon the trees until the end of November; and, 
perhaps, if they had not done so I should not have had either of these excel¬ 
lent sorts in good condition at Christmas. 
Cossey Park. J. WlGHTON. 
THE CULTIVATION OF THE MUSHROOM. 
To supply the requirements of a first-class establishment in respect to 
an abundance of vegetables of superior quality “all the year round” demands 
some forethought, a good deal of contrivance and a considerable amount of 
sound practical knowledge. Even under the most favourable circumstances 
when labour, manure, land, &c,, are in abundance, there are still the varia¬ 
bility of our climate and the very great and frequent differences between 
seasons, to contend against; to say nothing of the ravages made by rats, mice, 
birds, insects, kc. 
An abundant supply of Mushrooms during the autumn, winter, and spring 
months is, however, a very easy matter when plenty of horse-droppings can be 
had. As in the artificial culture of the Mushroom we do not need the agency 
of light, we dispense with glass roofs, and with them all the unceasing attention 
to air-giving, kc. They will grow in any out-house, shed, or cellar, where the 
temperature does not fall below 50 Q . Even in midwinter, if the beds be made 
with a good thickness of droppings, say from 2 to 3 feet, and are kept well 
covered up with dry hay, Mushrooms can be grown in abundance. They will 
not, however, come so quickly as in a moist genial atmosphere of 60°. When 
a large supply is needed it is a wise economy to fit up a house specially for their 
culture. There is no regular Mushroom-house here; but as there is plenty of 
shed room, and as the fireplaces for the vineries are in some of the sheds, I have 
