The gale., 1888-01-13
CuItivatin- the Pear Tree.

Inc following interesting paper was
read a recent meeting of the Horti-
cultural Society of Miami County, Ohio:
The pear is not native of this conti-
nent, but belongs to Europe and Asia,
where it may be found in its wild or
primitive state. There it exhibits more
thrift than the apple, and grows to
greater dimensions. From the East it
has been carried to our continent, where
1T has found soil adapted to its growth,
and a climate calculated to more fully
develop the fruit. The pear is said to
have been known to survive the change
OF seasons for 500 years probably that
was before the introduction OF blight,
and to attain to au enormous size, as
the great tree of Hcrefordshire, England,
which shades half an acre, and has pro-
d1ced in one season. 800 bushels of
fruit: or the famous tree in the vicinity
OF Vincenncs, in our own country,
which, at the age of forty years, pro-
duced $50 bushclsof fair fruit. The pear
is not only profitable as a fruit tree, but
the wood is fine grained and heavy, and
Yankee ingenuity has succeeded in max
ing fair quality of ebony therefrom.
The soil for the pear should be tolcr-
ably heavy clay loan, with heavy clay
subsoil, well undcrdrained, although
some varieties do well on gravclly sub
soil. In fact, the pear will succeed in a
greater variety OF soil and climate than
any other of our cultivated fruits. There
fore, if you have the most desirable
situation, all will be we'll il. not, select
the best you have Having determined
where and how many trees we will plant,
the selection of varieties should be de-
termincd by the object for which we
plant. If for market, would plant few
varieties, say Madeleine, for very early :;
Bartlett, Duchesse, Beurre dAnjou and
Lawrence. If for amateur purposes, or
for home use, would plant about as
follows, which will name in the order
of ripcning: Madeleine, Tyson, Bartlett,
Sheldon, Seckel. White Doyenne, Ouch
esse, Bcurre d'Aniou, Lawrence and
Beurre Easter, or some other late variety.
This viii give us an abundance OF
choice fruit through the season.
If possible, 90 in person to some reli-
able nurseryman and have him take two
or three stout assistants to his two year
old trees (have none older; select good
stocky tree, have it taken up in youl
presence and Immediately mosscd, that II
may not dry or come in contact with tho
air for any length of time, for therein
lies the length OF life and thrift of youl
trees Then pay the nurseryman wei
for his extra trouble. The ground hav
ing been previously prepared for deel
plowing in the fall, turning under lib
eral supply of manure, and marked
twenty five feet each way, dig two fee
square and one and half deep, fill will
rich loan to the proper depth TO receive
the tree, which should be a very littl'
deeper that it stood in the nursery. Th'
soil should be tramped well around tn
roots and watcrod, if dry; then TIVE
inches of dry soil should be put on top
The soil should be carefully cultivated
for few years, or until the trees com
mencc bearing. Then, with an occa
sional top dressing, they will be able t
care for themselves, and you may invit
your friends to accompany you TO IN
pear orchard, where, with honest prld
YOU may call his attention to the goldel
tints of the Bartlett. the magnificent siz
of the Duchcsse, and the rich brow
russet of the ever loved Seckel; ant
there fill your basket: carry them t
vour better half, and then to the bette
half of your friend, and together EMO
feast lit for the gods. In closing
must add that most varieties are better
ripened in the house, especially the latte
sorts, although there are exceptions
the rule.
Farm and Garden Notes,
It is always better to feed the surplu
of tho farm Than TO sell it off the same.