(See frontispiece).

Upwards of fifty years ago my grandfather leased a lot in East Liberty, to a man by the name of Wolff, who, at that early period, was noted for his skill and taste in Horticulture. He soon covered his lot with fruit-trees, which was quite an undertaking at that time; but he did not remain to enjoy the fruit, but sold his lease to another person. The pear-tree in question stood near the house, and thus escaped the accidents which destroyed many of the other trees. It still remains, a fine old healthy tree, never failing to produce a crop of its delicious fruit. As to its origin, there is no doubt but it is a seedling; this is substantiated by the opinion of those persons who were familiar with the trees when planted. Another very strong evidence is the fact that there are no other trees of a similar age of the same variety in the neighborhood. My grandfather had over fifty acres in orchard at that time, containing every variety of fruit which could be obtained, among which was every other variety of fruit in Wolff's garden, except this pear. Now, if its quality had been known, or it had been a grafted tree, he would have had it, or it would have found its way into some of the old pear orchards of the neighborhood.

But it remained in its isolated position, little known, until within twelve or fifteen years, although grafts had been taken off as early, perhaps, as twenty-five years ago. The tree which produced the specimens sent to Mr. John Jay Smith last summer, grows in my uncle's garden, in rather an unfavorable situation for the pear. It was the only variety out of fifty which bore last season. It has not failed to produce a crop since it commenced to bear, though I fear we have injured it this season by removing all the young wood for buds and grafts. The following brief description of the tree and fruit may be interesting:

Tree vigorous, upright, pyramidal, and very symmetrical in growth; comes early into bearing; grows free on both pear and quince stock.

Wood very clean reddish brown, stout, and short-jointed; fruit-buds very abundant, sometimes covering all the young wood.

Foliage abundant, of a rich reddish green; remains on the tree until late in autumn.

Flowers large, not always in compact clusters. Fruit above medium, though some seasons very large, obtusely obovate, nearly regular, sometimes a perfect pyriform. Skin a rich lemon, shaded with bright crimson, quite free from specks or imperfections. Flesh white, tender, moderately melting, very juicy, but firm. Flavor rich saccharine, sprightly, vinous, highly perfumed, and delicious. Core of medium size. Hangs a long time on the tree; does not rot prematurely; is in season from last of August to the end of September. It commands a higher price than any other pear in this market of its season.

This pear was exhibited by me at the Ohio Pomological Congress, when held in Cincinnati. The president, Mr. Ernst, mistook it for the Flemish Beauty, until he had tasted it. It was named the Negley Pear by the Fruit Committee of the Pittsburgh Horticultural Society the season before; it then obtained a special premium, and last season was considered by the Fruit Committee of the Agricultural Society as the best pear on exhibition.

Mr. Chas. Downing wrote me in September, saying that it was the most beautiful pear he ever saw, but did not think the flesh as melting as could be desired, which was, no doubt, the case with those sent him, as they were pulled before being ripe, and they lose flavor if ripened off the tree. I would hesitate to recommend this pear so highly, for fear of having my motives questioned, were it not so highly esteemed in this neighborhood, and the character given by me so easily sustained by reference.