Free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1888-1908, 1901-08-03
Cross-POIIenizins the Kieffer.

LAC OsOA GAOO "
testimony, however, is on the side of
the controversy that says the Kieffer
cannot be depended on to give good
crops unless some other variety of pear
is grown in its neighborhood. There
seem TO be wide areas of country where
the Kieffer is self-steriIe and perhaps
here and there an area where the con-
ditionS are such that it produces
enough pollen for its own fertilization.
Certain it is that there are large or
chards of Kieffers that have long since
reached maturity and yet have never
produced crop of pears. Last year
we were told of an orchard of Kiefers
where each tree had attained the diam
eter of a telegraph pole and yet had
borne no fruit. The orchard was cut
down. Orchardists that had handled
the Kieffer extensively declared that
if this orchard had had growing near
it some other variety of pear, it would
most certainly have borne good crops
of pears as the Kieffer is good bear
er when the polarization is perfect.
The writer knows of localities where
the Kieffer pear is the only variety of
pears being grown. While the orchards
are yet young, they are old enough to
have borne some pretty good crops.
That they have not done so is without
doubt due to lack of proper polleniZa-
ton. The following communications
will show a great variety of opinion,
but we believe, when they are cons1d
cred in a mass, they will demonstrate
the fact that it is always wisest to
grow this variety of pears with some
other variety.
Henry Augustine, Illinois: The
Kieffer should have some pollenizer
planted near it. I would recommend
the Mikado.
r. A. Simpson, Indiana: AS a rule I
think there should be another pear
planted near the Kieffer. regard the
CARRIER as the best pollenizer for it.
j. w. Honey, Illinois: The Kiefer
pear needs to be pollenized by another
variety. The CARRIER is good pear to
grow with it, as is also the Dwarf
Duchess.
Prof. w. J. Green, Ohio: The Kief-
fer needs some other variety bloom
ing at the same time, near it to fur
nish pollen. CARRIER is suitable for the
purpose, but where there are num-
Der of varieties in the same orchard
polarization generally occurs.
L. F. Dintelmann, Illinois: The Kief-
fer does need a pollenizer. CARRIER and
Duchess are the most desirable, but l
think some other sorts would do the
work almost as we'll.
G. H. Williamson, Illinois: I am
told that the Kieffer needs a pollen
fzer, but my experience is to the con-
trary. I have 400 trees with no other
variety near, only peach and apple
trees.
Benjamin Buckman, Illinois: AS yet
I have seen no evidence that the Kief-
fer pear needs to be pollenized by
some other variety. Trees in my or
chard remote from others bear as well
as any.
Prof L. H. Bailey, New York: 1t is
generally considered that Kieffer pear
bears best when other varieties OF
pears are planted near it. Any variety
will fertiliZe it if it blooms at the same
time as the Kieffer
]. w. Stanton, Illinois: ! think it
advisable to plant other pear trees
near Kieffer. Some orchards in South
ern Illinois that are now ten years
old and are planted by themselves have
never had a crop Of pears.
Geo. Hunt, Illinois: The Kieffer pear
does require pollenizer. We grow
from 10 to II bushels of pears per tree,
when the Kieffer is poIlenized with the
Dwarf Duchess, which is both an ex-
cellent pear and a good bearer.
Prof. J. Troop, Indiana: The Kieffer
pear is self-fertile and does not need
to have another pear planted near it
for po1leniZing purposes. Still my OBJ
servations show that almost any va
riety of fruit will do better if planted
with other varieties than when planted
alone.
Byron D. Halsted New Jersey:
Large blocks of Keffer pears fruit fully
with US. But I have seen instances
where the surrounding varieties had
an influence, particularly the CARRIER
variety in setting Kieffers. 1t would
be well to use this variety as a pollen
izer.
W. S. Perrine, Illinois: The Kieffer
pear gives much better results when
pollenized with some other va
riety. This is the rule. Sometimes a
Kieffer orchard does all right alone.
The CARRIER is the best polIenizer of
which l know. Use about one tree in
ten.
R. M. Kellogg, Michigan: I be-
Heve the Kieffer pear will bear by it
self If kept well pruned and not al
lowed to overbear. The large blocks
that have become unfruitful seem to
be those that have borne heavily when
young, and were not sustained by til
lage and pruning.
Henry M. Dunlap, Illinois: It is my
experience and observation that in
some seasons the Kiefferl is not self
ISIII1lZlHS. l. ne GdrDSF is SOOQ Ter
tilizer of the Kieffer Perhaps other
varieties will do as well. l am go
ing to try the Duchess d. Angouleme
in an orchard where I am setting some
Kieffers.
Jabez Webster, Illinois: The Kief
fer pear does, under some peculiar con-
ditions of adverse cloudy weather
seem to need polarization from other
sources, as does Bartlett. The same is
true of some other varieties of pears
and apples. The CARRIER and LIE ContC
seem to fit in all right. We prefer thu
| CARRIER
w E Britton, Connecticut: l have
not made any observations on the pol
| len requirements of the Kieffer pear
| Waite's observations in 1892 and 1S9:
seem to show that this variety is sui
| fciently self-fertile to insure gooC
crops, and this is certainly true in tn,
great commercial orchards of tn,
| South.
| W. B. Mosher, Michigan: 1t is no
necessary to plant another variety OF
| pear near the Kieffer. but it has proved
| an advantage to do so. For planting
near it, we think there is nothing bet
ter than Clargeau. It can be planted
every fifth row, or, what is better, plan
all Kieffers and top-work every fit
row with Clairgeau.
II. A. Aldrich, Illinois: / am con