Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1912-12-20
PUGET SOUND IS
SAID TO Be BEST
FOR RAISING PEARS
Growers Who Have Experience
Declare Fruit Particularly
Adaptable to This Section.
SHOT CLAY SOIL NEEDED
Air Drainage Another Important
Factor-Orchardist Relates
His Experiences.

1t Is often said that Puget Sound is
the best pear growing country in the
world. A great many people with AM.
pie experience are as enthusiastic
about the Sound pears as are apple
growers about the adaptability of the
Wenatchee country for the production
of their specially.
There is not the slightest doubt that
it pays farmers to specialize in those
things which have found to be the best
suited for their locality, says the Ar
lington Chronicle. One of the remark
able things in agriculture, and which
has caused wonderment and admira-
tion the world over, is the continued
productiveness of the soil in Holland
Though 1t had been farmed for centur-
les before America was discovered, its
tillers produce year after year, enor-
nous crops Of all kinds of grain,
whereas the American farmer wears
his soil out in few years.
The secret of the Dutch farmer is
not that he farms better, but he has
inherited his acres and knows from
childhood just what each square foot
is best suited to produce and then
plants that thing.
We are prone to plant the things
we like to raise best regardless wheth-
er the soil is suited or not. Puget
Sound, 1t is declared, by experts who
make a speciality Of soil study, to be
peculiarly suited to to the culture Of
pears. Along this line Professor Van
Dieman says: Men. why don't you
plant pears? You have veritable
pear heaven on Puget Sond."
The shot clay soil with clay subsoil
and land sloping to the south are con-
sidered the very best conditions that
we have for pear raising. This com.
bination is found mostly on the bench
lands and insures plenty OF moisture
from subirrigation. Alder bench lands
are splendid and contain quantities OF
humus.
Air drainage is very important
factor. On bench lands this is usually
good and consequently there is very
little danger from early frost in the
fall and late frosts in the spring.
Not few Thurston county farmers
are contemplating installing pear or.
chards. while there are at present
other projects looking toward the
growing Of this fruit on large scale
To them the following letter read by
r. B. Miller Of Startup before the Po
mona grange at Sultan recently. re-
garding his experience In pear-raising
will prove interesting:
"At least three varities should be
planted, summer. fall and winter
This prolongs your harvesting season
and you can get better help when you
give longer employment. Great care
should be exercised in their selection
1t does not necessarily follow that a
district that excells In producing
some varieties will produce any and all
equally as we'll. Many things have
got to be considered. vigorous growth
early bearing. polination. keeping
qualities of fruit, public taste and
marketing.
For my summer pear I have oi
course selected the Bartlett. Its won
derful productive qualities, In this dis
trict, are known to you all, and as
table fruit, fresh or canned, 1t has few
equals and no superiors.
II would point out that one great
advantage that we will have In maj
keting our Bartletts is that our ship
ping season begins after all the other
districts are practically through. 1t is
generally admitted that pears grown
under natural conditions of soil and
climate have better flavor and stand
transportation better than those grown
in irrigated districts. Only one-third
of my orchard will be planted to Bar
tletts; this I deemed advisable owing
to the necessity of quick handling oi
this fruit, when shipping to district
markets, where the best prices are OBJ
tanned.
For my fall pear l have chosen the
Anjou. You are probably not all sc
we'll acquainted with 1t. 1t Is one ol
!. (Continued on page 81