Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1872-02-24
@ortitulture.
PEARS IN VERMONT.

have been looking over my pear orchard.
and will send you II few of my observations,
particularly such rs relate to the behavior of
the various varieties which the orchard in
cludes; and, rs do so, | wish to express the
earnest hope that others of your readers will
report their experience in this culture, that
we may employ the columns of your valua-
BILE paper rs n vehicle for the Interchange of
the information which we all need. Our
climate is very distinct from that of any
ether district. where the pear thrves with
equal success; and every variety of soil is
here represented. At present each orchard
list is. for the most part left to experiment
for himself with varieties and soils,-a course
which necessarily involves considerable ex-
ira expense and many disappointments,-
whereas, could the facts now in the posses
sion of individual fruit growers throughout
this region be collected and properly digest
ed, we might hold in common, / am per.
suadcd. definite and intelligent rules, sulli-
cient to enable the good cultivation to attain
with much certainty the highest success.
My pear orchard occupies about two and
half acres of strong, gravelly loan made
somewhat adhesive by Il slight admiXture of
clay. The soil rests on II bed of soft. broken
! limestone of Il light brown color. whose de-
composition furnishes an abundant supply Of
| lime. and which ensures excellent drainage
In 1865 the land was trench owed fifteen to
eighteen inches deep and planted to stand
ards twenty feet apart each way. 1t is culti-
waited with hocd crops and moderately ma
nured
OF course the Flemish Beauty occupies II
large portion of the orchard The trees are
almost as strong in growth us apple trees,
and rs perfectly hardy. Some of them began
to bear this year, the fourth from planting.
But begin to distrust the Flemish Beauty us
II reliance for orchard planting. | had hoped,
when planted it so largely, that the peculiar
disease which first caused the failure of the
old White Doycnuc over most of the older
states. and then in turn attacking this sort
had so greatly lcsscned its value in the same
territory, would not follow it under our cooler
climate. But some late indications of the
disease in few places hercahouts lowers my
estimate of its value My present hope is
that judicious cultivation will here suffice to
avert its cracking. Yet. when wish to find
II place for buds of new variety of promise,
feel but little conjunction IN putting them
into the head of II Flemish Beauty.
Perhaps no pear promises better for our
planting than the Bcurrc DAMON. This is
the sort which the distinguished President of
the American Pomoloeical Society congrat-
ulatcs himself upon having introduced on
this side the water. | have illustrated my
confidence in the Bcurre DAnjou by dcvot-
ing To 1t about third of my orchard. 1t is
of but moderate growth, but in respect To
hardness 1t even surpasses the Flemish
Beauty in the opinion of my friend Benjamin
Macomber of Grand Isle, whose large eXpe-
ricnce with pears well qualities him to Judge.
Its fruit is of large size and excellent quality
Beginning to ripen in October. it lasts with
care until january fact which renders il
valuable for family use and especially so for
market purposes. Has it been fully tested in
more exposed situations or among the
mountains?
The Clapp's Favoritc with me is of stronger
growth than the Flemish Beauty, and has in
no way been injured by our winters. have
employed this sort freely for an early fruit.
Bartlett, though not hardy in I'LL exposures
and soils, thrives well i'm this orchard.
g The Sheldon grows tolcrably well, but its
al