ing to its size. The effect is to check the tree in its growth, and to force it to expend all its remaining energies in forming embryo blossom buds and fruit. This it will continue to do until its vital energies are exhausted and life is extinguished, the duration of which will depend very much on the vigorous application of this destructive system.

The above remarks are offered in the hope that some one more capable may be induced to take up the subject and show its mischievous effects.

Spring Garden, near Cincinnati, December 21, 1846.

ART. IV. Descriptions and Engravings of Select Varieties of Pears. By the EDITOR.

In our past volumes, we have given our descriptions and engravings of new pears under the head of Pomological Notices. But, as our information under that head is intended only to contain brief notices of new or choice fruits, previous to a full description of them when better known, we have thought it desirable to give our future descriptions of pears under a distinct head.

We have the drawings of many fine varieties, which we shall endeavor to present in this volume, and, among them, some new and superior kinds, particularly of native origin: among these will be the Onondaga, which we have already noticed, and which we should have presented a description and engraving of before, but for the hope of obtaining a full and correct account of its origin.

The following six varieties are entirely new, and have never yet been figured, part of them having been received from Van Mons without names; but brief notices of some of them will be found in the communications of the late Mr. Manning in a previous volume (VIII. p. 56.) Subsequent experience has confirmed the good opinion which he then expressed of their merits, and they may be enumerated among the best varieties which have been recently added to our collections.

61. VAN ASSENE.

This very excellent pear, (fig. 4,) was received from Dr. Van Mons among the first lot of scions which he sent to Messrs.

Fig. 4. Van Assene.

Manning and Kenrick, in the spring of 1835. In the second parcel, which came to hand in 1836, many varieties were duplicated; but this name does not appear in that list. We do not find the name in the catalogues of the most extensive French and Belgian nurserymen, and we hence conclude that it is unknown to continental pomologists, and probably only exists in American collections. Mr. Manning first fruited it in 1841, and briefly described it as above referred to, where he calls it a "very tender, fine, and melting pear." Subsequently, we believe, it has been exhibited from Mr. Manning's collection, but we have not had an opportunity to taste it

until the past year, when we received a fine specimen from the Hon. J. S. Cabot. It was one of three or four which he exhibited at the Annual Exhibition of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, and it must be ranked as a very superior fruit. Wood vigorous, of a reddish chestnut color, with round plump buds.

Size, large, about three inches long, and three inches in diameter: Form, obovate, slightly angular, large and full at the crown, and tapering to the stem, where it is obtuse: Skin, fair, smooth, dull citron yellow, with several grayish black blotches on the shaded side, and regularly covered with rather large russet specks: Stem, long, about one and a quarter inches, slender, smooth, pale brown, curved, and inserted in a small, moderately deep cavity, with slight projections on one side: Eye, medium size, closed, and considerably sunk in a rather large, round, open basin; segments of the calyx medium length, narrow: Flesh, white, rather coarse, buttery, melting, and very juicy: Flavor, rich, sugary, slightly perfumed and delicious: Core, large: Seeds, large, very broad, deep brown. Ripe in September.

62. HENKEL.

This is another of the productions of Van Mons, scions of which were received with the Van Assene and others in 1835. It was also sent again among those received in 1836. When it first fruited, we are not informed, but the variety first attracted our attention at the last Annual Exhibition of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, when some very good specimens were shown from the Pomological Garden. It probably had not fruited in 1842, when Mr. Manning described all the new kinds which had come into bearing in his extensive collection. The name does not appear in French catalogues, but is enumerated in those of the Belgians. The Henkel (fig. 5) is a rich, sprightly and excellent fruit. Mr. Manning, in a note to us, in regard to this and other sorts, states that the young shoots are stout, and of a grayish brown color; petioles long; leaf folded and curled like that of the Easter Beurré, but larger and thicker. This pear is remarkable for

two bud-like prominences on opposite sides, and near the mid

dle of its long stem.

the Wilkinson.

The same thing may also be noticed on

Fig. 5. Henkel.

Size, large, about two and a half inches long, and two and a half in diameter. Form, obovate, slightly irregular on the surface, large in the middle, and obtuse at the stem: Skin, rather rough, lemon yellow, more or less covered with patches of cinnamon russet, and interspersed with dull green specks: Stem, very long, nearly two inches, moderately stout, curved, light brown, and slightly inserted in a small, contracted cavity: Eye, medium size, open, slightly sunk in a very shallow uneven basin segments of the calyx short and round: Flesh, yellowish white, rather coarse, melting and juicy: Flavor, sprightly, vinous, perfumed and excellent: Core, medium size: Seeds, large, broad, and deep brown. Ripe in Septem

ber.

63. ELIZABETH (VAN MONS.)

158 Van Mons's numbered Varieties.

The list of good summer pears is rather limited, and the additions to this class are few compared with autumn varieties, Every new kind, therefore, of decided merit, ripening at this season, is welcomed as a desirable fruit. The Elizabeth of Van Mons (fig. 6,) is one of this description. It is not of

Fig. 6. Elizabeth, (Van Mons.)

large size, but it has a great deal of beauty; and, without being very high flavored, it has that mingling of sweetness and pefume which will render it a favorite with most cultivators. Mr. Manning describes it as "very sweet." It was received from Van Mons, as No. 158; but as he gave Mr. Manning permission to name any of the numbered kinds when they came into bearing, it received from him the name under which he has already briefly described it, (VIII. p. 57.) In the fall of 1842, the last time we had the pleasure of a conversation with Mr. Manning, at his residence in Salem, he gave us some specimens of the Elizabeth, from which we made a drawing, but they were rather small, and we thought it best to