the pear-tree; a genus of the pentagynia order, belonging to the rosandria class of plants. To this genus Linnaeus has joined the apple and quince; but, on account of the remarkable difference between the fruits, the last is treated under the article CYDONIA. The other species are,

1. The communis, or common pear-tree, rises with an upright large trunk, branching 30 or 40 feet high, in some widely around, in others more erectly, and forming a conical head; oval, lanceolated, serrated leaves, and corymbose clusters of white flowers from the sides of the branches, succeeded by large fruit extended at the base. Under this species are comprehended almost endless varieties, all bearing the above description. They bear their flowers and fruit upon spurs, arising from the sides of the branches from two or three years old and upwards; the same branches and spurs continuing fruitful for a great number of years. The different varieties furnish fruit for use from the beginning of July till the months of May and June next year; which, according to their times of ripening, may be divided into three classes, summer-pears, autumn pears, and winter pears. The summer pears ripen in different sorts from the beginning of July until the middle or end of September, and are generally fit to eat from the tree, or at least do not keep a week or two before they rot. The autumn pears come to their perfection in October, November, and December; some ripening nearly on the tree in October and the beginning of November, others requiring to lie some time in the fruiter, while some will keep two months; but all the winter-pears, though they attain their full growth on the tree by the end of October and in November, yet they do not acquire perfection for for eating till from the end of November to April and May. Those of each class have different properties; some being melting, others bresking, some mealy, and some hard and austere fit only for kitchen uses. As many of the finest sorts were first obtained from France, they are still continued in most catalogues by French names.

2. The malus, or common apple-tree, grows 20 or 30 feet high, having oval serrated leaves, and fleshy umbels of whitish red flowers, succeeded by large, roundish, and oblong fruit, concave at the base. The varieties of this species are amazingly great with respect to the differences of the fruit. The botanists contend, that the wilding, or crab-apple of the woods and hedges, is the original kind, and from the seeds of which the cultivated apple was first obtained. The varieties of this last no doubt are multiplied to some hundreds in different places, having been all first accidentally obtained from the seed or kernels of the fruit, and the approved sorts continued and increased by grafting upon crabs or any kind of apple-stocks: but although the number of varieties is very considerable, there are not above 40 or 50 sorts retained in the nurserymen's catalogue. These varieties arrive at full growth in successive order from July to the end of October, improve in perfection after being gathered, and several of the winter kinds in particular keep good for many months, even till the arrival of apples next summer.

3. The coronaria, or sweet-scented crab of Virginia, grows 12 or 15 feet high, having angular, serrated leaves, pedunculated umbels of whitish-red, sweet-scented flowers, succeeded by small round crabs, remarkably sour and austere. There is one variety, called the evergreen Virginian crab-tree.

Culture. All the varieties of the pear-tree are hardy, and will succeed in any common soil of a garden or orchard. They are propagated by grafting and budding upon any kind of pear-stocks; also occasionally upon quince-stocks, and sometimes upon white-thorn stocks; but pear-stocks are greatly preferable to all others for general use.—All kinds of apples are propagated in the same manner; using apple-stocks instead of pear-stocks. They will succeed in any common soil of a garden or orchard, and in any free situation except in a low and very moist soil, in which they are apt to canker, and very soon go off. In a liable loam they are generally very successful.