Pear culture. A manual for the propagation, planting, cultivation, and management of the pear tree. With descriptions and illustrations of the most productive of the finer varieties and selections of kinds most profitably grown for market

UNIVERSITY FARM

SB373

UCO LIBRARY

V *

• 1KOUP OF FINE SUMMER, AUTUMN AND WINTER PEARS.

. >-tf>f ami <lr(iun hi/ Mr. L. Btrckman*.

No. 1. Niu». No. 2, FULTON.

No. :<, BKCRRK n' AMAMS. No. 4, DOYKNNI »'Ai.EN< ON.

No. r>, ST. NITIIOLAS; OR DUCHKSSK D'ORLKASS. No. 6, KOSTIKZER.

CULTURE.

A MANUAL

PROPAGATION, PLANTING, CULTIVATION,
AND MANAGEMENT

THE PEAR TREE.

DESCRIPTIONS AND ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE MOST PRODUCTIVE

OF THE FINER VARIETIES, AND SELECTIONS OF KINDS

MOST PROFITABLY GROWN FOR MARKET.

THOS. W. FIELD

THE golden-dropping Pear, the reddening glow
Upon the cheek of Beauty, and the Peach,
Hnve common oource and end. The Divst
We till, we are. The nodding flower, the Elm,
Aj-chirig in cloisters and in vaulted ai»le»,
Are man, or boast, or worm, in other forma.

No marble dumb, or crumbling tomb shall rent
Their p»le chill wnlls o'er me. The tree I plan
Shall monument my dufit — itoelf ilie tree,
Refined in leaf, and fruit, and flower: that when
The immaterial pnrt puts m«ttor on
Again, it is more fit for Heav«n.

A. 0 MOORE. AGRICULTURAL BOOK PUBLISHER,

140 FULTON STREET.

fcntered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1858,

BY A. O. MOOKE,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District of 3 1 w fork.

is 00}t is

TO MY FRIEND

O TJ I S E_ B Eli O Kl 3^ A. 3NT S,

MASK OF AFFECTION AND RESPECT.

THE AUTHOR.

PREFACE.

THE pleasure with which I have, for several years,
pursued the labor of collecting and arranging the matter
of this Book, melts away, as I approach the tribunal which
is to pronounce upon the result of that labor. The Public
which an author fears most is, after all, very small — it is
those of his own craft, who will easily discover his failure ;
and it is precisely that small Public whose favor I am
most anxious to deserve. Cardinal DE RETZ once said :
"He who is in good repute among his own order, can
not easily be overthrown."

It is from intelligent Pomologists that I shall receive
censure with the most humility, and praise with the most
gratification ; and it was in hope of earning the latter that
I have oegun and completed this work.

There is so little that is really original in any work,
that the unguarded and jealous critic, in reviewing some
humble author, is in imminent danger of launching his bolt
at some great and standard authority. When charged,
by a critic of such rank, with imperfections, I shall
only be able to answer : " Sir, the best Pomologists
have contributed the most perfect results of their investi-
gations to this work ; and the insensible plagiarism, by
which another's idea is reproduced in my brain, ought not
to create prejudice against the idea," So much of what
is excellent in this work may, by long residence in my
own brain, seem to have had its origin there, that it would

VI PREFACE.

be vain to attempt, at this late hour, a restitution of ideas
to the proper owners. When known or recollected, the
authority whose matter has been quoted is noticed in
the body of the work.

It requires to be distinctly stated, that the plan of this
book does not admit of that extensive description of
varieties which would be desired by an amateur of long
experience in the cultivation of the Pear. Its design is
to answer, in a clear and intelligible manner, the oil-
repeated questions of the novice : " What kinds of Pear
Trees can I plant most profitably ? — and how shall I treat
them, to insure a return of the investment ?"

The Author has indulged no higher ambition than to
answer these queries satisfactorily — and does not claim the
ability to instruct those experienced Pomologists, whose
lives have been spent in patient investigation of the most
minute phenomena attending the Propagation, the De-
velopment, and the Fruiting of the Pear Tree.

In constant communication with Horticulturists, the
want of a Manual of Pear Culture, so often suggested by
them, originated in my mind the idea of collating the
experience of the best cultivators ; and stimulated by my
own hearty love of the subject, I have executed the work
now offered to the lovers of that noble fruit.

If it shall result in a more intelligent treatment of the
beautiful but dumb companions of the Horticulturist,
and thus obviate much of that disappointment which has
flowed from ignorance of the peculiar requirements of
the Pear Tree, and of the varieties to be selected, the Book
will have performed the office for which it was written ;
and the Author will not regret his work.

CONTENTS.

PART I.

Preparation of the Soil — Draining — Plowing and Cropping the Ground
— Trenching — Manuring — Digging Holes — Digging Trees— Soils for
Pears — Transporting.

PART II.

The Seedling — Planting Seed — Obtaining new Seedling Varieties — Hy-
bridizing— Leaf Blight of Seedlings — Propagation by Layers and
Cuttings — Quince Stocks — Cost of preparing Ground and Planting —
Manures for Nursery Stocks — Methods of Grafting — Budding.

PART III.

Selecting Pear Trees from Nursery — Causes of the Failure of Nursery
Trees — Proper Age for Planting — Pruning and Root Pruning before
Planting — Replanting the Pear to form Fibrous Roots — Heeling in —
Treatment of Withered Trees— Planting — Plan of arranging Pear
Grounds — Cultivation of the Pear Orchard — Mulching — Special
Manures for the Pear — Invigorating Old Trees — Grating Large
Trees.

PALT IV.

Office of the Quince-stock — Causes of the failure of the Pear on the
Quince — Advantage of the Quince Stock — Rules for Growing the
Pear on Quince — Double Working.

( vii )

Vlll CONTENTS.

PART V.

PRUNING. — Advantages of Pyramidal Shape — Approach Grafting —
Pruning to a Bud — Renewing the Wood of old Dwarfs — Summer
Pinching — Fruit Spurs, and Treatment — Forms of Training — Rules
for Pruning — Root Pruning.

PART VI.

DISEASES OF THE PEAR.— Winter or Frozen-Sap Blight — Signs of the
Disease— Insect-Blight— Leaf-Blight.

PART VII.

INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE PEAR. — Scolytus pyri — Scale Insect— The
Pear Slug — Caterpillar, Canker, Worm, &c. — Means of destroying.

PART VIII.

VARIETIES. — Conditions which affect the Quality of Fruit — Terms
relating to Quality — Qualities required for Market Cultivation — Vari-
eties for Market Cultivation to be grown on Pear Stocks — Varieties
that may be grown on the Quince.

PART IX.

GATHERING, MARKETING, AND FRUIT-ROOMS. — Soils as affecting Quality
of Pears — Thinning Fruit — Gathering — Marketing Pears — Coloring
and Ripening of Summer and Autumn Pears — Ripening of Winter
Pears — Fruit Rooms— Mr. SCHOOLET'S Plan of Fruit-Room — Cata-
logue of Native Varieties — Catalogue of Foreign Varieties and
Synonyms.

PEAR CULTURE.

"WHILE revolution and conquest were disturbing tho
equilibrium of the political world, during the last
twenty years, bringing dread and terror in their san-
guinary train, another revolution was progressing,
more enduring — as it was productive of happiness,
instead of misery.

This was, the revolution in the culture and produc-
tion of everything which the generous earth yields to
man's cultivation ; but more particularly manifested
in the propagation and perfection of fruits.

Our fathers required the whole of their long lives
to eat of the fruit of the tree they planted. But by
the new arboriculture, the youth may pluck fruit
from the tree he planted when a child.

In none of the fruits is this peaceful revolution so
striking as in the culture of the Pear. From the long
period of twenty or thirty years required for the fruit-
ing of the tree, we have deducted more than four-
fifths, and reduced the time to three or four.

The introduction of the French method of propa-
gation upon the Quince stock has given such an

14 INTRODUCTION.

impetus to the cultivation of the Pear, that the sales
from a single nursery in this country reach the enorm-
ous number of half a million trees in one year. It is
undoubtedly true that the propagation of the Pear on
the Quince, by its early production of this noble and
beautiful fruit, will be the source of more unalloyed
pleasure, and more innocent and healthful gratifica-
tion, than any discovery in the arts and sciences for
the last twenty years.

The origin of this method of propagating the Pear
must not be looked for in very recent times — as trees
more than a hundred years old" originally upon the
quince stock, may be found growing in France. The
history of its introduction into this country would not
be difficult to trace ; but I have been able only to
ascertain sufficient to induce me to believe, that Mr,
PERKINS, of Boston, was among the first to introduce
it, nearly forty years since ; soon after, MARSHALL P.
WILDER, of Boston, and Mr. MANNING, of Salem ; and
later still, Mr. HOVEY, of Cambridge, commenced the
cultivation of quince-rooted pear trees, which may be
seen in those places more than thirty years of age.

Mr. MANTEL, of Astoria, was for some years in
opposition to Mr. A. J. DOWNING, the earliest advocate
of its general cultivation ; but it was not until within
the last eight or ten years that the planting of the
trees had become very common. Indeed, it is only
within a year or two that the theory was broached,
which governs the whole constitution of the com-
pound tree, viz. : that the office of the Quince is
entirely as root, and not as a trunk.

That we shall arrive at a point of excellence in the

INTRODUCTION. 15

propagation of the Pear which will enable us to dis-
pense even with the Quince in great part, is not
doubted by good pomologists.

In the original introduction of the Pear as a fruit
into this country, the French Huguenots bore a pro-
minent part. In preparing for their exile, they doubt-
less selected the seeds of their best varieties, and
planted them around their homes in the New World.
This is evidenced by the multitude of aged trees
(many of them producing fine varieties) in the im-
mediate neighborhood of their first settlements, par-
ticularly on Long Island and at New Rochelle, in
Michigan and Illinois.

It is not a little curious to observe how the taste
and preference for this fruit has survived in the coun-
tries through which the Huguenots passed in their
flight, or where they temporarily sojourned. Belgium
and Holland have produced more fine varieties, and
more eminent cultivators, of this fruit than all the rest
of the world.

There are many questions relating to the Pear,
which are still little understood, although discussed
for a long time by men of talent. Among these are :
the decline of certain highly-esteemed varieties, which
can no longer be grown in localities where they
formerly ranked as the highest and best ; the excel-
lence of many varieties in particular places, and their
inferiority when grown in others ; the refusal of
some varieties to grow upon the Quince stock.

These, and many other mysteries, which have caused
as much disappointment and chagrin to the cultivator,
from his inability to account for them, as from his

1 6 INTRODUCTION.

failure to obtain the fruit, cannot, from the limited
character of this work, be discussed at length. The
Pear has proved, by experience, to be adapted to as
wide a range of territory in the United States as the
Apple ; and on the lighter soils of the Atlantic coast,
to be much more productive. We are beginning to
learn, too, what varieties are adapted to special local-
ities and soils ; and amid the great multitude of
excellent kinds, it will not be difficult to find some
that will succeed, with ease, in the most unfavorable
location.

We are not confined now, as formerly, to a single
variety, that ripened in August or September, whose
evanescent excellence vanished in a day or two ; but
by a skillful selection of varieties, we extend the enjoy-
ment of this king of fruits over a period of eight
or nine months — or from August to May.

A great advance has also been made in the quality
of the fruit ; for in place of the dry and mealy Sugar-
Pear, the insipid Jargonelle, and the griping Winter-
Bell, we have obtained the Flemish Beauty, the
Duchesse, and the Easter Beurre.

That we shall continue to make great progress in
the knowledge of varieties, their propagation and
improvement, can hardly be doubted, as long as such
intelligent and enthusiastic men as DOWNING, WILDER,
BEKCKMANS, HOVEY, BARRY, THOMAS, and BKINCKLE,
continue to cultivate the Pear. To them the pomolo-
gists of this country owe a large debt of gratitude ;
and to them I am indebted for much that is valuable
in this treatise.

PART I.— PREPARATION OF THE SOIL.

To the tree-planter, the author would say, in the
commencement of this treatise, as its most important
and best fortified proposition : that the most complete
and thorough preparation of the soil is by far the
most economical and productive.

Let none, therefore, be deterred from its performance
by the labor of preparation, as its neglect will per-
petually . remain a source of regret. Defects or
neglect in this matter can never be entirely remedied
by any future nursing or manuring. The thorough
pulverization, deepening, and mixing of the soil before
planting, will insure a healthy and vigorous growth,
which the best subsequent system of manuring, trim-
ming, and cultivation, can never equal.

The satisfaction and delight that one feels in grow-
ing a beautiful tree, are enhanced by the knowledge
of having been the instrument in supplying a soil and
cultivation intelligently adapted to its perfection.

The nurseryman is called upon to answer no ques-
tion oftener than the vexatious query : " How large
holes shall I dig for planting my trees ?" It can only
be answered wisely by saying : "If you have one
hundred trees to plant, dig but one hole for them all —

18 PREPARATION OF THE SOIL.

in other words, dig the whole field as thoroughly as
you would the space for a single tree. If tree-
planters would observe this rule, few of them would
suffer the disappointments which often attend trans-
planting. So few persons, however, can find courage
to invest this amount of labor in the mere planting of
a tree, that it is a little to be feared that some will be
disinclined to attempt anything, when so much is
demanded for perfection. To such it can only be
said : " Undertake less than you intended, but per-
form that little in the best manner."

The processes for the important work of thorough
preparation of the soil are : first, Draining ; second,
Plowing and Cropping the Ground; third, Trench-
ing— fourth, Manuring.

DRAINING.

Thorough drainage has become so much a matter
of faith with intelligent agriculturists, that it is con
sidered almost heresy to doubt its value or necessity
in all soils.

"Without questioning the truth of this extreme doc-
trine, it is sufficient for us to say : that all soils, pos-
sessing any of the following conditions, must, to
secure a healthy growth of the pear tree, be first
thoroughly drained.

1. Those composed principally of clay.

2. Those which rest on an impervious subsoil.

3. Those generally upon which water remains more
than an hour after rains.

4. Those in which springs, or springy ground ap-
pears.

DRAINING. 19

5. Those which lie at the base of a hill at some
distance below the summit.

6. Those which lie so nearly level that, although
porous in their character, do not allow the water to
flow off readily from the surface.

On any of the varieties of soil mentioned, without
draining, the pear tree i-s peculiarly subject to serious
diseases. The winter or -sap blight finds its most
numerous victims upon them, while in the worst con-
ditions of such soils the growth of the tree is slow and
stunted. In soils at all retentive of water, thorough
drainage is the only safeguard against these evils,
and many positions, not suspected of this defect, will
be found upon examination to be sadly in need of
this remedy.

If the plot of ground lies at the base of a hill, or on
its slope, at some distance below the summit, the
water percolating through the soil from the higher
ground will find its way to the surface along some
saturated strata ; and the least that can be done will
be, to cut a ditch of from four to five feet in depth
along the upper line of the ground, thus intercepting
a part of the descending waters.

This ditch should be laid with tile, or a rude but
effective channel made of rubble stone, and in both
cases should be half filled with the latter, when pro-
curable ; upon which a thick layer of straw should be
placed, and the earth pressed firmly in to fill up the
ditch.

For more minute directions relating to the condi-
tions of soil requiring drainage, and the various

20 PREPARATION OF THE SOIL.

methods of effecting it, the reader is referred to the
works upon that subject. It is sufficient for this place
to say, that there are but few soils that would not
derive great advantage from thorough under-draining.

PLOWING AND CROPPING THE GROUND.

When the planting of an orchard can be anticipated
for a year or two, the ground should be prepared by
growing some hoed crop upon it ; as the proper treat-
ment for a good crop of corn, or potatoes, forms an
excellent preparation for the growth of trees. By
this plan, the soil is reduced to a fine tilth, the weeds
are subdued, and if the crop has been well manured,
the ground is rich enough for the first year. If the
soil is clayey, or otherwise retentive of moisture, the
plowing should be performed in the fall, and left
in ridges ; but if at all sandy and light, it should be
left as compact as possible at that time, and not
plowed until spring.

The ground should be double plowed, by turning
a deep furrow, and following in the bottom of that
furrow either with a subsoil or common plow. If
there is such a thing possible as stirring the soil for
eighteen or twenty inches in depth, it should by all
means be accomplished, for this reason : a hole dug in
a soil, more or less compact, is in effect a cistern.
This, while it loses capacity, does not lose any of
its power to retain water, by being filled with loose
Boil, in which a tree is planted. The invigorating
effect of water upon the roots of plants is probably
uearly exhausted in the first few moments of its con-

PLOWING AND CROPPING THE GROUND. 21

tact with them, and becomes less and less valuable,
the longer the same particles remain, until it is a cause
of absolute injury.

If the hole, therefore, is dug deeper than the sur-
rounding soil is loosened, the lower part of it will
retain water for an unhealthy action upon the roots
planted in it. But if the earth is loosened over the
whole field, as low as the bottom of the deepest hole,
the drainage from that hole is perfected, and the
otherwise stagnant water will flow oif, provided an
outfall from the field is secured.

An excellent plan for those who are pressed for
time is, to plow five or six furrows, twice deepened,
or subsoiled, in the line where the planting of a row
of trees is intended, and omit the intervening spaces
until a later period. Let these furrows be run, if
possible, in the direction of the slope of the ground,
to act as drains.

Those horticulturists, however, who intend perform-
ing their work in the most thorough manner, should
take this rule as their standard.

Pulverize the soil of the whole field to a depth
greater than the longest roots will be planted, and
this can only be well done by

TRENCHING.

As frequently performed, the best results of trench-
ing are not attained. The true design of its perform-
ance is, to add to the depth of the soil, without
destroying its capability.

When the fertile earth near the surface is thrown

22 PREPARATION OF THE SOIL.

to the bottom of the trench, and cohered ten to twelve
inches deep with sterile soil, which has never been
aerated by frequent stirring, in contact with the
atmosphere ; either a very large quantity of manure
must be applied, or, with ordinary treatment, some
years must elapse, before the soil can become fertile,
or capable of sustaining trees in a healthy condition.

A trench, two or three feet wide, should be dug to
the proposed depth, across the end of the ground
designed for trenching, and the earth deposited on
the side of the ditch opposite to the space intended
for treatment. The soil thrown up should now be
dressed into an easy slope, so that other earth cast
upon any part of its face will not fall to the bottom
of the trench, but remain where it is placed.

A single spade's-width should now be taken from the
surface soil, and scattered evenly over the sloping
breast of loose earth, forming a layer of three or four
inches in thickness, from the bottom of the trench to
the top of the bank. Over this should be thrown the
next spade's-depth of subsoil, forming a somewhat
thicker layer ; and this again is to be covered with
part of the adjoining surface-earth ; and lastly, over
this is placed the third spade's-depth of subsoil. The
bottom of the trench may now be simply loosened by
the spade, without throwing up the earth, unless it is
determined to trench deeper than two feet. The
manure to be used should now be spread evenly, so
as to form another layer from the top to the bottom
of the sloping bank, and the alternate strati of fertile
earth, barren subsoils, and manure, continued to the
end.

TRENCHING. 23

The object to be attained is, so thoroughly to mix,
as well as pulverize, the two soils thrown together, as
to dilute the good earth with the inert ; but it will be
perceived, that they have only interchanged positions,
without commingling.

The layers of soil and manure declining at an angle
of about forty-five degrees, and which now exhibit
their edges at the surface, may be thoroughly inter-
mingled by one or two deep plowings. It will at
once be seen, that a soil deepened in this manner will
demand much more manure than when cultivated to
the ordinary depth.

When the trenching of a plot of ground is finished,
a ditch will remain, which must be filled with the
earth first thrown out at the other extremity of the
field.

The cost of trenching an acre of ground will de-
pend greatly upon the character of the soil, and the
depth it is worked.

The trenching of my own ground may not afford a
fair criterion, but it will furnish a basis by which calcu-
lations may approximately be made of the expense.

The soil was a sandy loam, deepened to an average
of nearly three feet, with the surface earth of the adja-
cent streets, and though very free in its composition,
had been very much hardened by the passage of the
carts in filling.

LABOR ON ONE ACRE TRENCHED fHIRTT INCHES DEEP.

Plowing, one day $3 00

Seventy-two days' labor, at $1 72 00

One day carting soil from the first trench to the last one, 2 men 3 00
Removing stones thrown out 1 00

$79 00

24 PREPARATION OF THE SOIL.

From some comparison of the amount of labor upon
other grounds, I am convinced that the above would
prove nearly an average cost, although the trenching
of heavier and more stony lands would cost as much
as $100 per acre. "Where the labor of preparing an
acre at once, appeared too formidable a task, a number
of amateurs have practiced the following plan at my
recommendation with good results.

The ground intended for planting is divided into
lour equal parts ; and if the whole plot contains an acre,
and is a square, each fourth will contain almost 11,000
superficial feet, and its four sides be each 105 feet in
length. A more convenient plot, for spacing the trees
accurately, would be, 100 by 110 feet. Extending these
lines to 220 feet by 200 feet would inclose but a trifle
more than an acre.

One of these quarter-acre plots should be thoroughly
trenched and manured, to receive all the pear trees
intended for the entire acre. None of these trees need
be removed before the end of the second year, when
another plot has been prepared for the reception of
every alternate tree in each alternate row. At the
end of the third year, another square having been
trenched, remove every alternate tree from the rows,
which at the last removal were untouched. The origi-
nal square will now contain one half of the whole
number of trees, or double its quota ; and the removal
of every alternate complete row to the fourth unoccu-
pied square, in the fourth year, will place the trees at
equal distances throughout the entire ground. Some-
what more than the exact number of trees necessary
to complete the plan should be planted in the first

TRENCHING. 25

year, in order to be able to compensate for the loss of
any, by substituting trees of equal size and vigor.

This plan presents advantages which will be more
largely discussed, but of which the following is a
synopsis.

1. It divides the labor into practicable portions which
do not discourage the planter by their magnitude, and
the work is better performed than if more were
demanded at once.

2. Manure, which would be difficult to obtain in
sufficiently large quantities, for preparing the whole
ground well, may be easily procured for one-fourth the
area.

3. In the best selected lot of trees, there will, from
various causes, be some that fail in the first two or
three years, and if planted in an orchard, would leave
an unsightly blank — or require the planting of a tree
that will always break the harmony of the ground, by
its smaller size. But trees taken from the near supply
will scarcely lose any vigor, by a careful second trans-
planting, and not one in a thousand should be lost.

4. The root-pruning occasioned by removal hastens
the bearing of pear-trees, on both pear and quince
stocks, many years.

5. All the nursiiig which young trees especially
require is brought within a small compass, and the
labor is materially lessened. The mulching, the hunt
for insects, and the washing of the trees, are all per-
formed in a small area, and without the fatiguing labor
of travelling long distances. The pear tree, above all
others, is especially fitted for frequent removals, and

2

26 PREPARATION OF THE SOIL.

»

is, indeed, benefited by them in acquiring capacity
for early fruiting

MANURING.

Undoubtedly, the most thorough preparation for an
orchard or fruit ground would require the enriching
of the whole soil nearly as well as most cultivators
do the space immediately around the tree. As it is
intended that the entire body of earth within the
limits of the fruit ground shall be occupied by the
roots, it is important that it should contain sufficient
nourishment for their sustenance. During the first
few years, it is true, they would be supplied with
the pabulum they find immediately around the tree,
and that in a light soil much of the nutriment at
first supplied would have escaped before the trees
were fitted by age and growth for its appropriation.
But for such a soil, the manure should be adopted to
its peculiar condition, and be composted with a large
bulk of clay, or swamp-muck, or other organic matter,
which will enable a hungry soil to long retain the
fertilizing agencies applied to it. A soil, however,
which has been naturally supplied with but a moderate
proportion of vegetable mould or cla}rey loam, will
not forget for many years the influence of a manure
which has been deeply deposited. Used in this manner,
manure will exhibit its influence upon the growth and
fruiting of the pear tree in a much greater degree than
in any subsequent application. It. not unfrequently
occurs, that sufficient manure for the whole space of
ground to be fertilized is not readily obtainable at the
time of planting. *

MANURE FOE PEAR TREES. 27

To economize tlie quantity for present use as much
as possible, a partial application, that will serve tem-
porarily, may be made along a line of five or six fur-
rows in width, thoroughly plowed in, and inter-
mingled with the soil. After the holes are dug along
this line, well-rotted manure should be strewn in them,
and covered with soil. Occasionally, as the hole is
being filled over the roots, more manure should be
well pulverized and shaken in, but in all cases, in such
a manner as to prevent its direct contact with the roots.
In deepening a soil for any purpose, it must be remem-
bered, that as the quantity of earth to be enriched is
greatly increased, a much larger amount of manure
will be required. If it be desired to increase the
depth of a soil of nine inches to eighteen, and the
manure is thoroughly intermixed to that depth, it will
require more than double the quantity of the latter,
which would be needed to fertilize the first nine inches
of depth, as the subsoil is nearly devoid of nutritious
matter. But, as the escape and loss of this is upward
into the atmosphere, the deepened soil will retain the
volatile constituents of manure much longer than a
shallow one.

• MANURE FOR PEAR-TREES.

It is a general truth, that the manure that will
produce a good crop of corn or potatoes will perfect
a crop of fruit ; but while special manures are to be
jealously criticised and tested by experiment, still
something should be learned from the special demands
of the plant. In the ashes of the pear and apple wood
or fruit, and in the potato stalk and tuber, a very

28 PREPARATION OF THE SOIL.

large amount of potash is found, and the theoretical
deduction from that fact, that potash or ashes would
add largely to the growth and fruiting of these varie-
ties of trees and plants, is found true in practice.
But in the ashes of wheat, comparatively little potash
is discoverable, while in its place is seen a large
amount of phosphates ; and, accordingly, we find the
various salts, of which phosphoric acid is the base,
exercise a great influence in increasing the wheat crop.
Now it would be blindness or mulish obstinacy to
neglect these facts, and apply manures without atten-
tion to the special wants of a plant or tree. Farmers
and gardeners who scout contemptuously the teachings
of science in regard to manuring, daily practice the
most scientific and special theories for manuring plants,
to produce perfect vegetables and flowers.

Well-rotted stable-manure is without doubt the
safest, and ordinarily the most convenient, form in
which nutriment can be conveyed to trees, but it is
not always attainable in sufficient quantities, nor does
it alone produce the highest result. Guano is a con-
venient manure, though temporary in its action, unless
combined with twenty times its bulk of charcoal-dust,
plaster, or partially, dried muck. From two ounces to
half a pound may be applied to each tree at planting ;
varying in quantity according to the area and depth
of ground in which it is distributed. But in no case
should it be placed so that the roots will have less
than three to six inches of earth, protecting them from
its caustic influence. Guano affords an admirable
liquid-dressing for trees (especially when exhibiting a
languid growth) applied at the rate of an ounce or

MANURE FOE PEAK TREES. 29

two in a pailful of water, distributed for a space of
three or four feet around the tree.

Of the more concentrated forms of manure, ground
bones, horn shavings, etc., are decidedly the best,
especially when dissolved in sulphuric acid.

"When used without this treatment, the bones should
be a mixture of the finely-ground bone-meal and the
crushed half-inch bones in equal quantities. The first
will decay rapidly, and afford immediate nutriment to
the roots, while the latter will last longer, and yield
their virtues when the finer bones will be completely
exhausted. But even these generous and excellent
manures have a better effect mixed with coarser
manures, such as stable-litter, horse-dung, swamp-
muck, and other decomposing organic matter.

Summer applications of stimulating manures have
a tendency to produce late succulent growth that does
not ripen, and which the winter blights or kills down,
endangering the life of the whole tree with its poisoned
sap. Late spring applications of manures also stimu-
late wood-growth to such an extent in midsummer, as
to induce the tree to throw off the young and half
grown fruit.

In the grounds of the author, during the last season,
a Bartlett Pear tree, three years from the bud, set 520
pears. "When the fruit had acquired the size of mus-
ket-balls, the tree was supplied with guano and super-
phosphate of lime, dissolved in large quantities of
water, in order to ascertain how great a number of
fruits a tree six feet high, and one and a half inches
in diameter of body at the ground, would Lr<m. A
barrel was filled with the solution, and set so as to leak
slowly about two quarts daily around the roots.

80 PEEPAEATION OF THE SOIL.

As the summer advanced, fine thrifty shoots, two
and throe feet in length, covered the tree, but all the
fruits, except about thirty, fell before ripening : while
on trees not stimulated by such unnatural nutrition,
and which made little or. no wood-growth, more than
fifty fine pears were matured.

No tree of that size should have borne one-quarter
of that number, but it was an experiment in which the
good of individual trees was not regarded. Nature
usually refuses to perform the double labor of wood-
growth and large fruit production during the same
period ; and we cannot, with all our skill, induce her
to disregard the laws which govern her delicate and
wondrous processes.

"When rich stimulants are applied to bearing trees
during the growth of the fruit, the latter is almost
certain to fall prematurely, as soon as the unusual
nutrition is exhibited in more thrifty production of
wood-growth.

The proper time for the application of such highly
organized manures as have been mentioned, is in the
fall or in early spring, during the hibernation of the
tree. They should always be well and deeply worked
into the soil. The cost of manuring varies much with
the locality and price of stable manures. If thoroughly
manured for the reception of 400 to 800 pear trees—
an acre should receive from twenty to fifty double
wagon-loads of stable or compost manures. Thirty-
five wagon-loads, at two dollars each, would fix the
cost of manuring an acre at §70, which would be a
very moderate sum.

In the grounds of Prof. Mapes, at Newark, New

COMPOST. 31

Jersey, may be seen pear trees of luxuriant growth,
producing great quantities of the finest fruit, which
have been manured, as he assured me, only with super-
phosphate of lime.

COMPOST.

There is nothing in his range of labors that gives
the genuine lover of fruit and vegetable growth such
complete satisfaction as the increase in size and excel-
lence of his compost-heap. In it the cultivator is
storing up his chemicals for Nature's laboratory, and
is thus prepared to furnish to her the elements which
shall come forth the purest gold. Untold wealth lies
hidden in its dark and unseemly mass, and at the
magic touch of the great enchanter, shall burst forth
in forms of wondrous beauty. In it his imagination
sees hidden the subtle essences which will ripen the
golden pear, color the cheek of the melting peach,
give lustre to the green foliage and beautiful growth
of the trees on which his care is bestowed ; and thus
he cheats his senses of the loathsomeness which
appears to others.

No single substance or kind of manure contains all
the virtues or manurial requisites for tree or fruit
growth ; and a compost which contains all or most of
the fertilizing agents, will be always found in practice
to produce the finest growth and fruit.

Excellent results in the growth and fruiting of pear
trees have been obtained from a compost formed in
the following manner : Peat or swamp muck, and the
tough sods of an old headland, were laid down in a
layer about six inches thick, and twenty-five feet

32 PREPARATION OF THE SOIL.

square, and on this a layer of old leather shavings,
three to four inches, and an inch of refuse lime were
placed. These layers were repeated until the heap
was five or six feet in height. To every second layer
of sods or peat was added one inch of "bone-meal,
amounting to one hundred bushels in the aggregate,
and twice on the top of the sods a layer of six inches
of horse manure, that aided in starting the fermenta-
tion. The whole was encased and topped off with sods.
A narrow rim was turned upon the edge, forming a
basin, and five hundred pounds of potash, dissolved
in water, poured upon the heap. If ashes had been
obtainable, one hundred bushels of unleached, or three
hundred to five hundred of leached ashes would have
been applied. The heap contained one hundred cubic
yards, was turned twice before spreading on the soil,
and was intended more as a medium of distributing
the potash, lime, and five hundred pounds each of
guano, and superphosphate of lime, afterwards added,
and for forming with the peat and leather shavings a
good retainer of ammonia in the soil.

Let every fruit-raiser, each spring and fall, prepare
such a compost as the following, and the results of its
application to trees will astonish and delight him.

A heap of leaves, leaf or swamp muck, peat, or
rubbish of any organic matter, should be placed at a
convenient distance from the house (for no offensive
smell need be apprehended, if properly treated), to
receive the wood-ashes, the soapsuds, the kitchen and
chamber slops.

Another heap should be formed at the stables, or
rather, a pit should be dug, and half filled with the

DIGGING HOLES. 33

absorbing materials, in which should be thrown all
the bones and spoiled meat, the carcases of fowls and
animals, all the old fish and meat brine, the night-
soil from the privies, and the liquid manure from the
stables. Even the coal-ashes should be preserved for
the small per-cent of alkaline salts they contain; and
to the whole, iron should be added in some shape,
either as cinders from the blacksmith's shop or the
foundry.

All this mass is effectually deprived of offensive
smell, by covering with a fresh supply of muck, when-
ever an escape of nitrogenous matters is perceived.
The effect of such a compost, applied to fruit-trees,
is almost startling, in the rapidity and hardiness of
growth it induces, and in the luscious and highly-
colored fruit a soil so fertilized will bring forth.

As the dark and loathsome mass swells in its pro-
portions, the cultivator (who knows it is but the
ungraceful form which covers a beautiful soul) sees
gorgeous flowers and fruits emerging with colors no
mortal hand could bestow.

DIGGING HOLES.

If the soil has been trenched or deeply plowed, the
digging of holes for trees is a work of comparatively
small labor, and they need be made but little larger
than sufficient to accommodate the roots without
bending or crowding. "When, however, the soil has
not been thus deeply prepared, the holes should be
dug as deep and as large as the most generous views
of the planter would dictate, taking care, only, that
they shall not be a less width than twice the diameter

2*

34 PREPARATION OF THE SOIL,

of the spread roots to be planted in them, nor of a
less depth than six inches below the bottom of these
roots.

"When it is intended to prepare the ground only in
the immediate vicinity of the tree, the holes should
not be less than four feet in width, by two feet in depth.
But no plan can be more defective than digging
deep holes in retentive clayey soils, where water4 will
collect without freedom of passage. Filling this hole
with loose earth does not alter its character for retain-
ing water, and the roots must soon decay. When it
is only intended to dig such holes without connecting
them one with another in the form of a trench, having
an outlet fall, the planter had far better dig but a
shallow hole, and prepare himself for very indifferent
results without more pains than mere hole-digging.

DIGGING TREES.

The disappointment and chagrin which the tree-
planter feels at seeing a sickly tree linger feebly
through three or four seasons of yellow leaves and
dwindling branches, would often be averted if some
person interested in the life and growth of the tree,
and with skill to direct, were present at its digging.

It is just at this point that the care of the cultivator
should begin, for it is too late for skillful management,
when the tree has been ruined in the digging.

No disappointment can be more exasperating than
that experienced by one who waifs with feverish
impatience, year after year, for the fruiting of his trees,
and sees them struggle, almost like living sentient
things, to preserve a sickly existence, and ultimately

DIGGING TREES. 35

die from the violence and abuse they received in dis-
placing them from the nursery. Many a person has
retired care-worn from business, to the farm he has
labored half a life-time to obtain the means of purchas-
ing, only to be driven back into the old mill-track
again, by disappointment at the result of his labor in
planting the imperfect, rootless trees sent to him from
some famous nursery. The nurseryman is usually
sincerely desirous that his trees should be taken up
carefully, and arrive in good condition; but petty
questions arise regarding the expense of increased
labor in digging or packing carefully, and his reflec-
tion usually is : that he " guesses they will do pretty
well." In pressing seasons, too, he is glad to engage
the most ignorant foreigner who offers; to be em-
ployed in digging up a tree, about whose necessities
the laborer knows no more than he does of the con-
stitution of the country of which he is, or expects to
be, a voter. Pat or Heinrich, with no higher idea than
that he is to take out a good spadeful, sets in his spade
close to the body of the tree, and by lifting, and pry-
ing, and twisting, brings out a living thing from the
earth, which although mangled, and torn, and cut, he
cannot conceive is hurt, because it does not groan.

It is not only stupidity and ignorance with which
the purchaser is obliged to contend, but an utter
indifference on the part of the laborer to the success
or failure of the tree ; and his desire to exhibit a good
day's work induces him to hasten that part of his
labor in which he should exercise most care.

In all cases, one should begin with the intention cf
hastening no part of the digging of a tree which can

36 PREPARATION OF THE SOIL.

be better done with more time. If the tree is more
than two years old, commence at a distance not less
than two feet from the body, and increase the dist-
ance one foot for every inch in thickness of the tree at
the earth-collar. Set the spade into the ground with
one edge of the upright blade always turned towards
the tree, and bending back the spade, raise the earth
with a shaking motion, that will free it from the roots
raised by the blade. If the flat side of the blade and
the face of the digger were turned towards the tree,
every root would be cut off clean, where the spade
enters the ground. But by the first method, in addi-
tion to the two feet of roots in the solid ball, there
will remain rootlets and fibres to the width of the
spade.

In this manner proceed around the tree, with the
edge of the spade turned towards it, and you will cut
very few of the roots which extend into the trench.

Let a sharp ciitting spade be provided, which should
never be used for digging, and with this cut smoothly
all the roots that extend beyond the trench until the
lowest layer of roots is reached, and proceed to dig
under them, by laying the spade nearly flat, and
parallel with the ground, and thrusting it under the
ball to cut the tap-root. Having cleared away the
loose dirt, shake the tree gently back and forth, until it
is ascertained where the tree is held by the remaining
roots; and then, with a digging-fork, dislodge the
earth in the ball from them, and only lift it when you
find that the tree will not strain, or the roots break.

A gentle shake will now free it thoroughly from
earth without dashing it against the ground, as most

DIGGING TREES. 37

laborers will do unless watched. From this time, the
sooner it is in the ground the better ; but if replanting
is delayed, Nature must be imitated as nearly as pos-
sible, by hiding the roots from the light and air, in
the best manner, and as soon as you can. An old rug,
pieces of matting, wet straw, or, when these are not
convenient, a light, but complete covering of pulver-
ized soil, should be thrown over the roots.

Even in a rainy or cloudy day, injury is received
by exposure to the chilling atmosphere or light.

When the soil is sufficiently adhesive, and the trees
to be planted are near their destination, a ball of earth
may be left around the roots, and the whole carefully
lifted in the arms of two men, and set in the hole.

There is in plants a condition somewhat analogous
to animal heat, though hardly sufficiently well defined
to be pronounced vegetable heat. But it is certain
that the temperature of plants must be maintained
within a limited range, to preserve their juices from
destructive change ; and this limit is much re-
stricted, when the roots are deprived of their natural
protection, and exposed to chilling atmosphere. It is
not necessary that the temperature of the air should
even be lowered to the freezing-point, to accomplish
great injury to the naked roots, which, while protected
by earth, could endure an absence of heat indicated
by thirty degrees below zero. There is something in
this analogy of condition of plants to living beings
which, while it excites our wonder, reveals to us how
little we have yet learned regarding their mysterious
processes.

I have seen some of the roots of a pear tree, stand-

38 . PREPARATION OF THE SOIL.

ing upon a bank, exposed on one side entirely unpro-
tected, to a severe winter, without injury. The
requisite condition, or heat being maintained by their
connection with the larger body of roots, which were
protected in the soil — -just as we daily expose a part
of the person to the cold with impunity, while the
naked body would not endure a temperature many
degrees higher, without perishing.

There is an equal danger in exposure to the opposite
extreme of temperature, though not so rapid in its
consequences. A cold bleak wind is far more effective
in drying up the sap than a moderately warm tem-
perature, exerted for the same length of time. The
effects of both extremes of heat and cold are the same.
The sap is inspissated to such a degree, that the
empty cells close up, and become incapable of again
exerting the mysterious endosmose action by which
their functions are employed. Could the lungs of a
drowned person be once more inflated, the blood would
commence its flow ; or could the blood be induced to
move by friction, the empty air-cells of the lungs
would fill, and the vital functions of life once more
commence. Could we fill the collapsed sap-vessels of
the dried tree, we should gain one point in its recovery,
and in the appropriate place the means for this will
be discussed.

SOILS FOR PEARS.

It is somewhat mortifying to the promologist, after
twenty years of careful study of the laws which
govern the growth and fruiting of trees, to feel con-

SOILS FOE PEAKS. 39

strained to acknowledge, that not only what he has
learned from others, but much of what he has gathered
from his own experience, is to be distrusted — perhaps
unlearned.

In nothing is he likely to be more disappointed
than ic the soils which analogy and theory would
induce him to point out as superior. So many influ-
ences and conditions affect the results of horticultural
effort, that disappointment often follows the selection
of what appear the finest soils. The Newtown Pip-
pin, on the soil of Long Island, where it originated,
refuses to yield the exquisite juices and rare perfumes
which distinguish this king of apples ; and from the
same island which once sent forth sloop-loads of the
rarest Yergalieu Pears, scarcely a bushel of perfect
fruit of that variety has been gathered in one season
for the last fifteen years. Neither the richest soil, nor
the most careful cultivation, any longer produce good
fruit of these varieties ; while on the rugged farms
along the Hudson, the Newtown Pippin preserves its
superiority with scarcely an attempt at cultivation
bestowed upon it ; and through the central and. north-
ern counties of New York, the Yergalieu continues
to produce its unrivalled fruit. Most of the other
varieties of Pear are produced on Long Island and in
New Jersey in great excellence and abundance. Yari-
eties. of pears are pronounced excellent in the vicinity
of Boston, which are worthless when raised in other
localities with equal care in cultivation. These anom-
alies prevent us from declaring with certainty upon
the fitness of any soil for all varieties of pears, when
that particular locality and soil have not been tested

40 PREPARATION OF THE SOIL.

by experiment. !N~o prudent man will, therefore, plant
a very large number of trees, of varieties which have
not been proved in his neighborhood ; at least, not
without having made careful inquiry regarding those
that have succeeded or failed.

Still, general rules that should govern in the choice
of soils may be given. E"o soil, however rich, . that
allows water to remain on its surface more than a day
after it has fallen, or to rise in holes dug not more
than four feet deep, is fit for plantations of the Pear,
or, indeed, of any other fruit tree. And no light, thin
soil, which is not susceptible of deepening, can be
relied on.

The soil for the Pear must be dry, and either deep,
or capable from the nature of its subsoil of deepening
without destroying its excellence, and of a looseness
of texture sufficient to allow the free extension of the
tender rootlets.

A peaty or alluvial soil, or one too rich in vegetable
mould, may induce a luxuriant and beautiful growth
in appearance, the succulent shoots of which a rigor-
ous winter would certainly blight. A free loam
having a large preponderance of sand, without being
light, is preferable, as it is easily worked, at times
when a clayey soil would be nearly a bed of mortar.
With proper manuring the first would produce a
stocky, well-ripened, but comparatively short growth,
while the latter, if in good condition, would induce
one more vigorous, but frequently unripened.

A noticeable instance of this difference is seen in
the fact, that the winter blight of the Pear has never
been known on the rich, but light soils of New Jersey

SOILS FOK PEAKS. 4:1

and Long Island, which seem peculiarly adapted to
the growth, productiveness, and longevity of the Pear ;
while the winter of 1855 destroyed many thousands
of pear trees on the strong soils of the counties of
Central ]STew York. In the neighborhood of Syracuse,
this was especially remarkable.

Nothing can be more fatal to the hopes of the pear
grower than the selection of his trees from an alluvial
flat. Blight at some period of their existence is sure
to manifest itself in a great number of them. Free
soils, however, it must be granted, are subject to
balancing evils, in affording shelter to innumerable
tribes of insect depredators, in fostering the produc-
tion of equally innumerable varieties of weeds, and
in more readily parting with moisture and manure.

A more nearly perfect soil as a base, for the cultiva-
tion of the Pear, is a somewhat heavy loam, composed
of three-fourths of coarsely granulated sand, fifteen to
twenty per cent of clay, and the remainder of vege-
table matter. This should rest upon a subsoil of sand
and clay, extending to the depth of three or four feet.
A bed of gravel should underlie the whole, thus afford-
ing perfect under-drainage. It would be well for the
planter, before engaging largely in the business, to
ascertain the longevity and productiveness of such
pear trees as are growing in his neighborhood. Many
of the old Dutch residences of Brooklyn, erected long
before the Revolution, bearing evidence of the mili-
tary violence of that period, are surrounded by trees
older than themselves — trees that have outlived two
or three generations of houses, each of which may
have seen as many generations of men pass away.

42 PEEPAEATION OF THE SOIL.

Mr. Downing certainly made a great mistake when,
in writing a description of the soils suitable for the
Pear, he pronounced a sandy loam unfitted for the
permanent growth of the tree. Two or three hours'
ride through the western end of Long Island would
have convinced him that there were, in that locality,
more pear trees, from fifty to one hundred years old,
than in all the rest of the United States. The number
of pear trees, more than forty years old, in King's and
Queen's counties alone, must be greater than fifty
thousand. At Greenpoint, L. I., now the Seventeenth
Ward of Brooklyn, may be seen an orchard of more
than one hundred pear trees, which the oldest resi-
dents remember to have been of full size, and in full
bearing, in their boyhood. Three of these trees I have
found to measure respectively nine feet, ten and one-
half, and eleven feet in circumference. These last
cannot have been in existence less than one hundred
and fifty years.

These were the offspring of seed planted by the
Dutch and Huguenot exiles, about the time of the
settlement of the town in 1648 ; and are certainly good
evidence of the longevity of the Pear, on compara-
tively light soils. I do not assert, however, that trees
planted on thin, sandy soils, especially such as overlie
an impervious, or a poisonous subsoil,* would not be
liable to blight. On such soils, the roots, compelled
to keep near the surface, are exposed to the sudden
and extreme heatR of summer, by which their sup is
BO highly heated as to destroy the more newly -formed

* As la the case, to a limited extent, in some districts of New Jersey, where the
protoxide of iron— so injurious to vegetation— prevails.

TRANSPORTING. 43

and tender spongioles and sap-vessels. In such case,
the roots are said to be scalded ; because, at their
shallow position, they are unable to obtain sufficient
moisture for the supply of the leaves, which, by their
abundant evaporation, lower the temperature of the
sap — vapor being so perfect a conductor of heat. The
frozen sap-blight has not, within the memory of man,
been known to visit the localities above-mentioned,
except under the circumstances noted relating to
subsoils.

TRANSPORTING.

Trees ought always to be packed, when the distance
from the nursery to their destination is greater than
can be accomplished in three or four hours ; and, even
in the latter case, their roots should be well protected.
Packing is a labor that most nurserymen would avoid,
as the charge seldom covers the bare cost of labor and
material; but no man who values health and vigor in
his trees will grudge five times the usual charge, if its
payment was necessary. Indeed, it ought to be a
standing rule with nurserymen to charge such a price
for trees as would cover the cost of packing ; and then
to pack them would be a matter of course, which the
mistaken economy of the customer would not induce
him to avoid.

Unless the purchaser has bought only a small num-
ber of trees, he should order them to be packed in
boxes, that will endure the rough handling of freight-
men, and protect them from bending, breaking, and
exposure.

If trees are to be removed long distances in tight

44 PREPARATION OF THE SOIL.

cases, they should be moderately dry, as if wet, or
packed with very damp moss, or straw, they are liable
to grow or to heat, and mould.

Straw and other coarse material should be distri-
buted among the tops, and moss among the roots,
separating not only the layers of trees, but, as far as
possible, the individual trees and roots from each
other. When the transit is by water for a long dis-
tance, the moss should be dried, as sufficient humidity
will be gathered on the passage ; and the roots should
be first dipped in a mortar, composed of clay and
water, by which they will receive a coating of earth,
which will protect each rootlet from the atmosphere.

PAET II. —THE SEEDLING, AND PKOPA-
GATION OF YAEIETIES.

THE SEEDLING.

IT is surprising that so little attention has been paid
to the perfection of the seeds which form the germ
of the trees we so highly value. Pear seeds are
peculiarly liable to prove defective, being gathered
from all sources ; and although they have recently sold
at prices, varying from one hundred to two hundred
dollars per bushel, there has not been a strict scrutiny
as to their quality. The dealer cannot be too severely
blamed for this, as no standard of excellence has beeh
established by the nurserymen. The latter is intent
only on procuring a large supply of stocks for bud-
ding, and as the results of inherent weakness in the
stocks do not always manifest themselves in the nur-
sery, he entertains but little anxiety aSout the source
or defects of the seeds he plants.

After abundant experience, I am satisfied, that not
one-half of the pear seeds sown vegetate ; and of those
that do, not more than one-fourth produce healthy
stocks, and that of the hundreds of thousands of trees
sold from the nurseries, not one in five reaches its
tenth year.

Carelessness in transportation, ignorance, or indo-

46 SEEDLING PROPAGATION OF VARIETIES.

lence in planting, and neglect or absolute abuse in
cultivation, are fatal to thousands ; but the indiffer-
ence of the seed collector to the condition of health
in the seed, equals all other causes in destructiveness.
If the ^fruit is unripe, the seed must necessarily be
imperfect, and the perry pomace is usually formed
from fruit, of which but a small portion is perfectly
ripe. The variety of pear from which seed is to
be taken is never considered, except by amateurs;
and as many of our varieties are known to be tender
in their wood, tardy in their growth, or badly shaped,
and short-lived, the fruit cracking or rotting at the
core, the offspring must be more or less corrupted by
these defects. If allowed to remain only for a short
time in the pomace or rotten fruit, acetous ferment-
ation begins ; and the seed commencing to vegetate,
the germ is injured by the acid.

It must have been noticed that few seedlings make
their appearance on ground where apples or pears have
fallen, or been deposited after rotting in the cellar,
while from the dung of animals fed on them, seed-
lings start from almost every dropping; in the latter
instance, all the fermenting acid matter of the pulp
had been appropriated in the economy of digestion.

Pear-seeds are injured, not only by being kept
moist for a long time, but quite as often in the process
of drying, and from being kept too dry. Large masses
of moist seeds engender heat, but if the latter are ex-
posed to constant atmospherical drying, the germ of
oaany of the seeds would become greatly injured.
?ear-seeds, soon after being cleaned from the pulp,
hould be separated from each other by some desic-

TFE SEEDLING. 47

eating material, such as sand, charcoal dust, &c.
From experience, we have found, that to obtain
healthy seedlings for budding or grafting, the seed
must be selected from healthy and vigorous trees.

In any part of a pear-growing country, there may
oe found large, vigorous trees, producing from ten to
twenty bushels of small, well-shaped, but unmarket-
able pears, having large and full developed seed — which
fruit can be purchased for a small sum. These should
not all be gathered at once, but at three or four periods
—obtaining at each time only those that are ripe or
nearly so. As fast as they become quite soft, the seeds
may be pressed out and sifted frorii the pomace,
and before becoming quite dry, or indeed they may
immediately, be mixed with two or three times their
bulk of the sand and charcoal dust, &c., and after
drying for a few days be preserved until Spring.
Much has been said of late about the adaptation of
varieties to each other ; that is, that certain varieties
of pear should be grafted upon those having the same
habits of growth. But upon a large scale this is
impracticable.

Some English nurserymen prefer the seeds of the
Virgalieu, as they are large and full, and Mr. Berck-
mans has often told me that he has found all varieties
do well on the Yirgalieu stock. There is little doubt
that the stocks produced from the seeds of the more
advanced and refined varieties produce fruit, when
grafted upon, sooner than in inferior seedlings. But
there is the serious drawback, that the finer varieties
are shorter lived, and ihore subject to disease, than the
Crab Pear, almost in the ratio of their excellence.

4:8 SEEDLING PROPAGATION OF VAEIETIE8.

From information of the use of a crab pear, in Con-
necticut, known as the Perry, and from its great vigor,
hardiness, and longevity, I anticipate excellent results
from its use as a stock.

After what has been said, it will be almost unne-
cessary to state that varieties subject to blight ; or
fruit from trees that have been injured by it, must
always be avoided by the seed collector. One cause
of defect and failure in trees is, the selection of suckers
for stocks. It has been customary for some nursery-
men, during the great demand for pear stocks, and
their consequent scarcity, to employ the vagrant and
wandering families of negroes to grub up the suckers
in woods, and around old pear trees, for use in the
nursery. Of the disadvantages attending the use of
such stocks, it is hardly necessary to speak.

PLANTING SEED CULTIVATION OF SEEDLINGS.

The seeds should be sown in October, after frost has
made its appearance, or in early spring. The former
is thought by many to be preferable. The conditions
favorable to their growth, are the same as for the best
cultivation of trees. The soil should be deep, dry,
well pulverized, and moderately rich. When grown
in very rich or damp soils, they make a rank, luxuriant
growth, but form excellent subjects for that pestilence
of the Pear tree — the blight. Indeed, of all seedlings,
not exotic, I think the Pear has generally proved the
most difficult to grow. If the soil should be poor, the
plant is stunted and small; and such plants seldom
attain a vigorous condition, and are entirely unworthy
of use as stocks for budding.

CULTIVATION OF SEEDLINGS. 49

To secure the proper mean requires good and care-
ful management. The soil should rather be a rich
mould from an old pasture or meadow, than one re-
cently manured ; and not largely composed of leaf or
swamp muck, which would tend to form a succulent
and unripe growth. When but a few thousand are
needed — the best plan is to form a bed in some dry or
well drained spot, in the following manner — for
10,000 seedlings, dig out a space thirty feet by fifty,
two feet deep, and return only the surface soil; to
this add: earth from old headlands, sods from a
pasture, which have been rotted during the previous
summer, with three or four loads of leaf or swamp
muck, which has been one year exposed, and a similar
quantity of well rotted barn-yard manure. These,
with a bushel or two of lime, or what is greatly
preferred, fifty pounds of super-phosphate of lime,
should be thoroughly intermixed ; and the seed sown
in rows one foot apart. In this manner, if the season
should prove to be one of drought, the bed may be
watered and shaded from the sun during the hottest
weather. It is important to obtain a large early
growth ; so that, by the first of August, they should be
at least a foot to eighteen inches high, and quite stocky
It would be much better if the seedlings could have
a greater distance between them ; but this peculiar
management would be found quite impracticable on a
large scale. Newly-cleared wood land, when dry, and
cultivated for two years, is favorable to the growth
of seedlings ; and in all cases, soil which has not before
grown fruit trees, must be selected, and nearly or quite
as deeply tilled as the bed above described. Unless

3

50 SEEDLING — PROPAGATION OF VARIETIES.

a good growth is early secured, the plants are liable
to two serious disadvantages :

First, if they should continue late in growth, and
the early frosts overtake them with succulent and un-
ripened wood, the frozen sap-blight will often destroy
them, unless amply protected by removal and burial
in the soil. And, secondly, pear seedlings are fre-
quently attacked in the hot mid-summer months by
a sort of rust, that appears in spots on the leaves,
which soon after ripen, and then the growth ceases.

The only preventives are, to secure a full growth
early in the season, or to shade the plants during the
continuance of the hot weather.

In the latter part of July, or early part of August,
when the growth has become somewhat checked, and
many of the leaves are ripening, the tap-roots may be
cut by thrusting a long handled instrument — some-
what like a spade, but of half the width 2 thinner
and quite sharp — in an oblique direction, beneath the
plants, six to eight inches below the surface. This is
practiced in England and France much earlier, say
in the middle of June, but is objectionable on account
of checking their growth. In the first method, the
retiring sap will form new fibrous roots, which will
much assist the growth in another season.

In the fall, pear seedlings must always be removed,
and the first grown and best rooted selected for the
nursery rows, to be budded the next summer. The
second quality also is sometimes planted in the nur-
sery for budding the second summer ; but seedlings of
the third quality, and sometimes of the second, are, the
next spring, replanted in the bed — not being sufficiently

OBTAINING NEW SEEDLING VARIETIES. 51

vigorous for budding. The winter is often fatal to
seedlings in the bed, by heaving them out of the ground.
They are therefore packed in sand in the cellar, or are
buried, top and roots, in close beds, until spring, for
preservation.

OBTAINING NEW SEEDLING VARIETIES.

These are the result of accidental or intentional
hybridization, or of the natural tendency of the seed to
change, both in the character of the fruit, and the
habit of the tree. It may be assumed that, although
seedlings of pears resemble the parent, yet that no
two seedlings, of cultivated varieties at least, produce
fruit exactly alike.

The fruit of some of the natural seedlings — that is,
those not produced by complex hybridization, and
found growing without the aid of art — often reproduce
their variety by their seed ; or, at least, plants of almost
perfect similarity. But there is ever a constant ten-
dency in the most luscious and melting varieties to
return to the wild state. Yan Mons, of Belgium, who
expended a life-time in experiments on the variation
of pear seedlings, held the theory, that " wild pear
trees, in a state of nature and in their native soils,
always reproduced seed without perceptible variation ;
but that, as soon as the original circumstances are
altered, and the seed is planted in a new climate or
soil, change commences." His theory is at this time
familiar to all, and need be but briefly alluded to here.
The pear selected for its seed must have travelled,
one step at least, away from the acrid crab. It is
essential moreover, that it should not be of the higher

52 SEEDLING PROPAGATION OF VARIETIES.

order, as lie asserted the theory, that at or near the
sixth generation of successive seedlings, the highest
point of excellence is reached, and a rapid declension
begins. I have nowhere seen confirmatory examples
of the last portion of his dogma.

The seeds of the variety being chosen, its fruiting
was to be accelerated by every means, as the short life
of man would scarcely suffice for the six generations
required, when the fruiting of each was extended to
the natural term of fifteen to twenty years. The seed-
lings were therefore subjected to root pruning, summer
pinching, ringing of the bark and twisting of the limbs,
until the sap retarded in its passage was tortured into
forming fruit.

The seeds of the first generation, whose fruit would
exhibit but slight amelioration, were sown, and the
fruiting hastened in the same way, and the seeds
sown successively until the fifth and sixth generations
were reached. From these he produced a great variety
of glorious fruits.

The limits designed for this book will not permit
even a hint at the extensive discussion this theory has
elicited, but few can doubt at this day, that the cause
of the variation in all cases is hybridization through
the flowers. I have never seen evidence sufficient
to convince me that the continual cultivation of a
crab pear would ever alter its characteristics in the
individual tree or its grafts.

Amateurs do not, however, cultivate or preserve
every seedling produced. Certain indications govern,
them in their selections in the seed-bed, or soon after

OBTAINING NEW SEEDLING VAItEETIES. 53

transplanting, and those only receive great care and
attention which are of promising appearance.

If the leaves of a seedling exhibit an excess of down,
or the branches are very thorny, the probabilities are
against its proving of sufficient excellence to warrant
its cultivation. To these marks of inferiority, I have
added, from my own observation, a peculiar bright,
deep green, not easily described, a remarkable vigor
of growth, an unusual quantity of limbs, and a thick
bushy foliage. The formation of fruit for any other
purposes than reproduction, or the mere creation of
seeds, is an unnatural process — or, in other words, is
produced by artificial means. None of our finest
varieties of pears equal seedlings in their profuseness
of foliage and shoots. In the former, the number of
shoots is generally less and the growth much stouter,
more stocky and straight.

When this is the appearance of the young seedling,
and the leaf is bright and oleaginous, instead of dull
and downy, when the petiole of the leaf is long and
clean, when the color of the wood is more inclining
to purple or yellow than bright green, and when the
spurs and spines which appear are blunt, instead of
long, sharp, and thorn-like, we may reasonably con-
clude that a new variety of some excellence will be
produced.

If the fruit sets well in spring, and continues to grow,
although frosts and blasting winds have injured other
fruit, it is a sign of hardiness ; and if more than three
to six fruits set in a single coronal of flowers, it is a
fair signal of great productiveness. More than one
season will be necessary to prove its excellence, as

54: SEEDLING — PROPAGATION OF VARIETIES.

many promising fruits, in their first season, have
important defects, such as rotting at the core, gritti-
ness, or astriiigency. Some excellent pears have
been discarded as outcasts in their first fruiting,
which subsequently proved to be worthy of high rank.
It has been advised not to hasten the fruiting of seed-
lings, by budding on the quince or grafting on older
trees, as it is supposed to change the character of the
fruits too much for identification in future growth;
but for these opinions I can see no good reasons. M.
De Jonge, of Brussels, says :

" A bud inserted near the ground in a quince stock,
will produce fruit in the third or fourth year ; and,
though the wood may acquire a different tinge, yet
the form of the fruit will remain the same, although
some varieties may be larger, of richer flavor, and in
greater abundance. These effects are, however, excep-
tions, and are attributable to the sort of quince, of
which there are several varieties, differing as widely in
their influence on the Pear, as the varieties of the
wild pear employed for stock."

The period of time required to prove a new variety
will exhaust the patience of most persons. Three
years will be required to judge if the seedling promises
sufficiently to encourage its cultivation ; seven years
more, with pruning and good cultivation, to produce
fruit; five years more, of successive fruiting, to
definitively test its quality, and correctly determine its
worth.

Fifteen years of extra care and attention are thus
required to prove a single variety ; and if to this we
add ten years more, before it can be extensively

HYBRIDIZING. 55

known and cultivated, we may see how slowly the
labors of the pomologist are crowned with success,
but this period may be abridged one-half by working
upon the Quince.

In Mr. HOVEY'S splendid collection of American
Seedling Pears are some of remarkable promise.
Among those termed by Mr. HOVEY, Dana's Seed-
lings^ are several which are admitted by such excellent
judges as Mr. Louis BERCKMANS, to possess signs of
rare goodness.

Many seedling collections would amply repay the
labor and cost bestowed upon their cultivation ; while
in others, labor would be entirely thrown away upon
thousands of worthless varieties, without securing one
valuable sort.

HYBRIDIZING.

It is often desirable to combine the qualities of two
pears in a new variety, and this is practicable only
through their flowers. "When the blossoms are about
to open, inclose the cluster selected with a lace bag,
and when perfectly expanded, cut away the stamens
or male organs of the blossoms, and with a small color-
brush gather the pollen from the anthers of the variety
with which it is designed to cross, and impregnate
the pistils left standing in the blossoms — which should
again be inclosed in the lace bag until the petals' fall
(Figs. 1 and 2). The seeds taken from this fruit, when
ripened, should be planted with care, and a full detail
of the double parentage noted. It by no means fol-
lows that these seeds will all produce the same fruit,
for the original varieties from which they have been
derived will exercise more or less influence in causing
them to vary.

56 SEEDLING PROPAGATION OF VARIETIES.

Tlie stamens when cut away must not be ripe
enough for their pollen to communicate with and

Fig. 2.
Fig.L

Fig. 1 A fruit bud near blossoming.

Fig. 2. Represents a coronal of flowers from a single bud.

fertilize their own pistils. The pollen used for impreg-
nating must be ripe and powdery, and the stigma of
the pistil must be damp. It was in this way that Mr.
KNIGHT produced his Monarch, Dummore, and other
fine Pears, though the general results of this process
do not seem to be remarkable.

Mr. Louis BERCKMANS, from whom I have freely
drawn information for this work, has some 30,000
seedlings of his own propagation and of collections
from YAN MONS, ESPERIN, BIVORT, Dr. BRINCKLE, and
other eminent pomologists, which he has selected by
various marks and tokens which are eloquent to him
in prophesying the merits of their fruits. He does
not, I think, after a long experience, pay much atten-
tion to artificial hybridization for producing new
varieties.

Notwithstanding the splendid results of a systematic

LEAF-BLIGHT OF SEEDLINGS. 57

improvement of the Pear, and the noble fruits obtained
by the gentlemen named, we have been indebted to
accident, or rather to the voluntary contributions of
Nature, for those pears which rank the highest in
beauty, flavor, and general excellence. The Duchesse,
found in a hedge at Angers ; the Seckel, in the woods
of Pennsylvania ; the Yirgalieu, the Bartlett, and the
Louise Bonne de Jersey, whose origin is not believed
to be the subject of design, all confirm this view;
while we must acknowledge that there is a delicacy
in the constitution of many of the pears obtained by
scientific propagation, that renders them inferior to
the accidental varieties.

In fact, the superior vigor and hardiness of those
varieties obtained through accident, alone enabled
them to survive the neglect and difficulties under
which they sprang into existence ; the high-flavored,
large, and truly splendid varieties produced by scien-
tific skill and high cultivation, maintain their superi-
ority only under the conditions in which they were
nurtured. I have seen the Duchesse d'Angoul^me
growing on quince stock, for twelve years, in a grass
plot, without attention, where it had been planted
when twenty years old, and yet producing large,
melting fruit.

A Flemish Beauty, Beurre Bosc, or Beurre Diel would
have succumbed under this treatment long before.

LEAF-BLIGHT OF SEEDLINGS.

Leaf-blight is the terror of nurserymen, and when
it makes its decided appearance, his hope of success
for the season is at an end.

3*

58 SEEDLING — PROPAGATION OF VARIETIES.

The disease is not necessarily fatal, but when plants
in the seed-bed are attacked by it, the cultivator will
almost desire that they had perished outright ; as great
numbers of them will be checked so prematurely in
their growth, as to be unable to endure the rigor of
the next winter.

On the first appearance of the disease, small brown
spots are seen upon the under side of the leaves of the
weaker plants in the seed-bed or nursery rows, which
spread quickly over the whole leaf, and in a few days,
over the entire collection of plants. Growth stops at
once, the leaves fall, and budding for that season is
of course prevented. At this period all nostrums and
chemicals are useless. The fact that this disease pre-
vails most in old nursery grounds, and indeed is
almost confined to soils long cultivated, points to the
necessity of restoring to the soil its original qualities,
or of planting only in new soils. The disease is doubt-
less of fungous character, and as its appearance on
the leaf would indicate, is highly contagious. As
remarked twenty years since, it is much more pre-
valent upon the leaves of seedling stocks than upon
those of budded and fine varieties. Buds set in stocks
attacked with this pestilence, and which have suffi-
cient vitality for growth, produce healthy trees, whose
leaves remain unspotted. This has afforded a curious
subject for speculation among pomologists.

Mr. DOWNING supposed this disease to be identical
with the cracking and cankering of the fruit of some
varieties.

Some kinds of pear trees in bearing in my grounds
are slightly attacked every year, but the disease makes

PROPAGATION BY LAYERS AND CUTTINGS. 59

no progress ; the small number of leaves affected drop
off, and growth, commences again, though the fruit
does not acquire more than half size. The best pre-
ventives are : to plant in new, deep, and rich soils ;
to cultivate well and obtain a good, strong growth
before the first of August.

An article upon this subject, exhibiting evidence of
close investigation, and containing suggestions of much
value, was written for The Horticulturist some years
since, by Mr. H. E. HOOKER, of Rochester.

PROPAGATION BY LAYERS AND CUTTINGS.

With the Pear this is always a difficult process, and
requires nice management. If the theory regarding
the necessity of affinity between the stock and the
graft is worthy of attention, propagation by layers is
important, for nothing can be nearer in affinity to a
variety than the variety itself. Some varieties are
much more easily propagated in this manner than
others, but when the proper conditions are observed,
success is attainable with all. When the leaves are
ripening in the early part of August, the lower shoots
of the present year's growth should have the bark
and sappy wood cut through on the lower side, to
about one third of the diameter of the shoot. Some-
times a ring of bark about an eighth of an inch wide
may be removed entirely around. The shoot is then
bent down into a hole (care being taken not to break
it at the cut), and covered with fine soil, tightly
packed. The retiring sap from the ripened leaves is
arrested at the incision, and there forms rootlets. I
have succeeded by this method in producing hand-

60 SEEDLING PROPAGATION OF VARIETIES.

some trees from about one half of the branches lay-
ered. When it is desirable to do this somewhat
extensively, a " stool " may be formed by cutting off
the tree about a foot above the ground. The next
season there will be produced a dozen or more thrifty
shoots from a tree two years old, which may all be
layered as above described. When the shoots are too
high for this kind of treatment, incisions may be made
in them, and balls of clay and cow-dung mixed together
put over the incisions, inclosed with matting, and
tied.

QUINCE STOCKS.

These are always propagated by layers or cuttings.
Any attempts at propagating by seeds would evidently
be unsuccessful in producing a uniform variety fitted
for budding with the Pear.

The Angers and, latterly, the Paris varieties of the
Quince, are the only ones in use for this purpose.
The qualities needed for stocks are : free, rapid
growth ; a tendency to a large size so as to equal the
pear trunk, and to root freely from cuttings or layers ;
to have a cellular and ligneous formation that will fit
them to unite readily with that of the Pear. In those
varieties that refuse the Pear, or on which it makes
an imperfect union, we shall perceive by examining
the fracture where the pear wood cleaves from the
Quince, that the adhesion has been produced simply
by the irregular and grooved surfaces of the wood of
the bud and the stock, fitting into each other without
any intermingling of the ligneous fibres of each>
although the bark of the two species has united to
form a sheath over the imperfect union. That inter*

QUINCE STOCKS. 61

mingling, and continuation of woody fibres, which
takes place between a bud and its stock of the same
species, does not here exist. There is, then, only a
mechanical adhesion of irregular surfaces, held to-
gether by a sheath of bark.

The apparent antipathy of some varieties of the
Pear to the Quince is, doubtless, owing to the resist-
ance made by the different texture and cellular form-
ation of the Quince to the returning sap.

It is probable that, the cells of the Quince being
smaller than those of the Pear, the inspissated sap of
tlie latter, on its return, has become too rich in albumen
to pass into them; but sufficiently accurate micros-
copic experiments have never been instituted to pro-
nounce decisively upon the theory.

The tubes of all woody formations are not continuous,
but successive — like the joints of bamboo : the upper-
ends being smaller, and fitting into spaces between
the lower ends of the next higher series. It is com-
monly known that water will not pass readily through
the smaller tubes, in which alcohol and ether easily
flow. From the same cause, probably, the richer juice
of the Pear will not flow in the smaller tubes of the
Quince ; and the consequence is, that a swelling out of
the Pear at that point is formed by the repelled juice
which, not finding a free passage, produces no ligneous
fibres or cellular tissue in the Quince.

PROPAGATION OF THE QUINCE BY LAYERS AND
CUTTINGS.

The Quince forms a notable exception to all other
fruit trees in its ability to form roots readily from any

>AGATK>X OF VJ

put of its bark. The propagation of the Angers
Quince, by layers or cuttings, is manifest! j onl j a con-
tinuation of the original individual tree.

not later M«m January, since the buds will begin to
swell in the early, warm days of winter. It is desir-
able that the buds should remain in a completely dor-
mant state, so that they can make no demand upon
the cutting for sap until rootlets hare pushed out, and
given the cutting ability to furnish it without exhaus-
tion. It is not generally considered that roots are
never added by influences exterior to the plant, but
are the product of the plant itself The roots of a
cutting are formed by the sap contained within itself,
which, exuding as healing lymph, is changed into roots
under the peculiar conditions of air, moisture, and
darkness — which process goes on even in winter, when
the ground is not frozen. It will be seen, then, that
those plants formed with large evaporating organs in
the bark will not readily root, as they part too easily
with their sap. The dose, dense bark of the Quince,
and the hard rind of the outer wood of the Grape
peculiarly fit them for this method of propagation ;
and we consequently find that, out of thousands of
cuttings planted of the Angers variety, but few fail
of rooting.

The cuttings should be planted as early in spring as
possible, although their vitality is so great as to sur-
vive almost any treatment, in soils fitted for them.
During a rather wet June, while trimming some quince
stocks, preparatory to budding in August, I directed
the trimmings, then in full leaf, and with some inches

PROPAGATION OF THE QUINCE. 63

of new growth, to be planted in the adjoining ground,
which was so sandy and poor that it had been left
implanted. Even with these disadvantages, more than
half took root, and made fair plants.

The cuttings should be from eight inches to a foot
long, and planted so as to leave an inch or two of buds
above the surface of the ground. The soil should be
rather clayey, and retentive of moisture. When it is
light, it should be packed firmly around the cuttings
with the foot — the closer the better. Cuttings of the
Quince will usually succeed more uniformly in rather
damp soils, but will not so uniformly grow thrifty
when transplanted to drier grounds.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 3. Mother Stool, and usual Plan of Layering Quince Stock*.

Quince stalks are, however, produced in much
greater quantities by layers from permanent planta-
tions of stools. These are made by planting quince
roots about four feet apart, in very deep and richly
manured soils, and cutting back the growth every
year near the ground. This treatment forces up a
large number of thrifty shoots, which increase in
quantity as the stock grows older.

64

SEEDLING PROPAGATION OF VARIETIES.

As usually practiced, in the latter part of August,
the earth is heaped up, and firmly packed around these
clusters of shoots or stools, as in Fig. 3.

The shoots throw out roots immediately, but are not
usually separated from the stock till the autumn of
the following year. It has not been customary to
commence earthing up before the second spring ; but
we have found it of essential importance to do it
earlier, so as to secure the benefit of the concentrated
sap of the fall.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 Treatment of Stools in the first, second, fourth, and fifth years.

A much better plan, practiced by Mr. A. S. Fuller, is
shown at Fig. 4. The stool is planted in a trench,
which, as the former increases in size, is, at the earthing
up of each successive crop, filled higher and higher,
until, at the removal of the fifth crop, the stool is dug
up, the lower part of the root removed, and the upper
and more vigorous portion replanted.

PLANTING STOCKS — SOILS SUITABLE. 65

PLANTING STOCKS — SOILS SUITABLE, ETC.

It is of the highest importance that only the very
best rooted plants, either of quince or pear, should be
planted in the nursery. Mr. Barry, than whom there
is no higher authority, says, in his excellent work,
" The Fruit Garden," that " one hundred good, vigor-
ous stocks are worth five hundred poor ones;" and
some of us will live to see the day when customers
will pay five times more for a perfectly healthy,
well-grown tree, than they will for a poor, or even
a medium one." There are a few purchasers now of
the same opinion. It has been customary -to crowd
the nursery rows with all the plants that promised to
survive, planting them only eight inches apart, and to
bud them all, without discrimination, during the fol-
lowing summer. The consequence has not unfre-
quently been, a feeble growth from those buds that
barely survived ; a thrifty growth in the vigorous and
healthy stocks ; and complete failure in one half of the
number planted.

When stocks are strongly rooted, they should be
planted in the fall — provided the ground is ridged up
against the rows, to prevent heaving out in the winter.
If weakly rooted, and no extra care is intended, they
should be buried in light, dry soil, placing the roots
thickly together in a trench, and filling it up within
a few inches of the top. This should be done
early, in order that the ground may be firmly settled
by rains, and packed about the roots before it is
frozen.

66 SEEDLING PROPAGATION OF VARIETIES.

As early as the condition of the ground will permit,
the stocks so treated should be planted in nursery
rows, or bedded out. In bedding out, the weaker
stocks may be planted thickly, or only two or three
inches apart, in rows, at a sufficient distance to permit
plowing between. The soil should be strong and
deep, and the plants receive thorough cultivation.
The nursery ground should be deeply worked, and
well manured a year previous to the planting of the
stocks, in order that the application of fresh and power-
ful manures may not induce a succulent and unripe
growth.

The method of preparing a plot of ground planted
recently with stocks, may not be inappropriate to this
section. The soil was a sandy loam, half an acre of
it being filled with boulders, varying from the size of
a paving-stone to those weighing five hundred pounds
each. As these stones were reached by the plow,
they were removed by laborers with spades and crow-
bars, and placed on the surface of the plowed land.
When a furrow had been cleared of stones, the sub-
soil plow was drawn by a stout team in the bottom
of it, loosening the subsoil to the depth of six inches.
This loosened earth was now thrown out by the
common plow, and the hard soil again deepened by
the subsoil plow, until the whole depth of loosened
soil was from sixteen to eighteen inches. The ground
was then cross-plowed, harrowed smooth, furrows
drawn four feet apart, and deepened with a spade.
Thirty thousand pear stocks were then planted one
foot apart in these trenches. The whole expense
for labor was as follows :

MANURES FOE NURSERY STOCKS. 67

8 days' labor of team and man, in plowing and subsoiling, at

$4 $32 00

3 days' labor of 3 men to loosen and remove rocks and stones,

at $1 9 00

1 day's furrowing by double plowing 4 00

27 days' deepening trenches, at $1 27 00

20 days' planting stocks 20 00

$92 00

If double the labor had been devoted to deepening
the soil, it would have been an economic expenditure.
Great care should be exercised in securing the trees
in straight lines, as a tree projecting from the row is
liable to injury from the plow.

The soil must be dry and rich, and the use of that
common but vaguely denned term must not be mis-
understood. Properly expressed, the soil should be
fertile without having received recent applications
of strong manures.

MANURES FOR NURSERY STOCKS.

To stimulate a vigorous growth early in the season,
an application of from three hundred to five hundred
pounds of guano per acre is highly approved. It
should have been composted for a month previous to
use with forty times its bulk of well pulverized swamp
muck, which has been exposed to the frosts of at least
one winter after digging. This stimulating compost,
however, should be applied in the Fall, after growth
has ceased, well distributed, and plowed in on soils
otherwise in good condition. A strong and stocky
growth of trees will ensue, and as this energetic and
volatile manure will have exhausted its power by
midsummer, the young wood will ripen fully, and

68 SEEDLING PROPAGATION OF VARIETIES.

become hard and firm. A much more perfect manure
for the development of young trees is formed from a
mixture of guano and superphosphate of lime. This
I prepare each winter, and have found most excellent
effects from an application of six hundred to one
thousand pounds per acre in the strong, healthy growth
and early fruiting of almost every tree to which it is
applied.

To prepare this quantity of superphosphate, use
three hundred pounds of burned bones, or four hun-
dred pounds of ground, unburned bones dissolved in
one hundred and fifty pounds of strong sulphuric acid
diluted with twice its bulk of water, adding one hun-
dred and fifty pounds of Peruvian Guano ; the whole
to be thoroughly intermixed. The excess of acid
changes the volatile carbonate of ammonia in the
guano to the soluble but non-volatile sulphate, which
is slower, and not corrosive or injurious in its action
on plants. The resulting mixture being in a semi-
fluid state, some absorbing material will be needed to
act as a divisor. Peat or swamp muck, nearly dry,
will be the best substance, and may be used in large
quantities, being itself composed of the ligneous and
carbonaceous products of the growth of wood. This
compost may be spread broad-cast, or strewn in fur-
rows plowed near the rows. The necessity of furnish-
ing the elements found in this manure may be seen
at once in the chemical analyses of the Pear, its bark
and wood.

On the farm of Prof. MAPES, several varieties of
pears, which with us have not hitherto maintained
their European reputation, have been produced, of

ANALYSIS OF THE ASHES OF THE PEAK.

great excellence, by application of the phosphates.
The fruits were pronounced by LOTUS BERCKMANS, Col.
WILDER, and others, the finest of their kind ever grown
in this country.

A study of the following analysis will show the
necessity of using potash in addition to the elements
found in the superphosphate and guano, which may
be supplied to the soil in the form of crude potash,
green sand marl, or woodashes. Neither ashes nor
potash should be mixed directly with guano or stable
manures, or so placed in the soil as to come imme-
diately in contact with each other.

ANALYSIS OP THE ASHES OP THE PEAR.

One hundred pounds of fruit yield nearly half a pound of ashes, the
wood and bark much more.

ASHES OF

HEART WOOD.

BARK.

FRUIT.

Potash

27 '00

6-20

54-69

Soda

8-52

Lime

23-14

33-36

7'98

3'00

9'40

5-22

Sulphuric Acid

0'45

1-80-

5-69

0*30

0-40

1-49

Phosphoric Acid

10-40

3'50

14-28

0-80

2-00

PREPARATION OF STOCKS FOR PLANTING.

The small cost of stocks has induced a careless
method of planting, and a more inexcusable neglect
in preparing them for it. Quince stocks are usually
taken from the mother plant or stool by a quick jerk,
which leaves a large ragged end ; as it strips off the
bark and wood from the stool, for a space at least
twice the diameter of the stock. At the season when

70 SEEDLING PROPAGATION OF VARIETIES.

this is performed, no healing lymph exudes, and of
course, no rootlets are produced ; besides, the rugged
wound does not encourage their formation. A raw,
unhealed end always remains ; and of some thousands
of pear trees upon quince roots, which I have removed,
I have never seen fibres put forth, where such a wound
has been made. The rough corrugated ends will show
the marks of the rupture made by their violent
removal from the parent stock.

The injured roots of stocks should ~be smoothly cut,
and the jagged portions cleanly pruned away, leaving
a surf ace, from which fresh rootlets will readily sprint).

In the violent removal of the stock, the bark is
stripped from nearly all of the fibrous roots ; and if
they are not removed, a large mass of decaying
organism must be thrown off, before a healthy vitality
can commence.

When the fibres are thick and matted, they should
be cut back to an inch in length, or they will be
pressed together in the soil, and decay. Two rootlets
or fibres never come in contact when growing, and
this condition should be accurately imitated in
planting.

Pear seedlings, which have not been root-pruned in
the seed-bed, have long tap-roots, which should be
shortened to six or eight inches. It lias been recom-
mended to lay out the tap-root in a horizontal direc-
tion ; but the distorted position obstructs the free flow
of sap ; and the root receiving nutriment from only
one direction, the tree will be distorted by growing
mostly on the same side.

The tops of stalks are frequently allowed to remain ;

PREPARATION OF STOCKS FOR PLANTING.

71

but they should be well pruned, in order to induce a
new and large-leafed growth to prepare sap that on
its return will strengthen and unite the bud to the
stock. "When all of the top is allowed to remain, the
leaves will be small, and but little new wood formed,

Fig. 5. Fig. 6. Fig 7.

Fig. 5. A seedling of one year's growth.

Fig. 6. The same at two years, after root pruning.

Fig. 7. The same at two years, with pruning.

while close pruning would induce large and vigorous
leaves capable of preparing great quantities of well
aerated sap.
The contrast between Figs. 5 and 6 is not too

72 SEEDLING PROPAGATION OF VARIETIES.

strongly pictured, to represent the real advantages
derived from root and top pruning. The pruning of
the top should always be done before planting, as the
roots do not obtain sufficient hold of the soil to pre-
vent their being disturbed and pulled out by the
knife.

INFLUENCE OF THE GRAFT UPON LONGEVITY.

The increase of the number of trees of a given variety
has for some years been considered as a simple exten-
sion of the original tree of that variety. Grafts or
buds taken from any variety of the Pear, when inserted
into a pear stock, will entirely change its character-
istics, and enforce the production of their own variety
of fruit. Having this power, it is not too much to
believe, that they have that also of carrying with them
whatever defect of constitution, or feebleness of vitality,
may infect the plant, and that trees produced from
them would be feeble or strong, short or long-lived, in
proportion to the possession or want of these qualities
in the original.

That the defects of a tree must limit the powers of
all its descendants, is a well known physiological fact.
But the different trees of a variety are not descendants
from an original of that variety, but only parts of it ;
and starting from this basis, some pomologists have
asserted, that as all the trees of any variety are but
brandies from the original, and not the product of
fecundated seed, they must be limited in their exist-
ance by the life of the original. .

In this theory, however, sufficient allowance is not
made for the increase of vitality, by alliance with

INFLUENCE OF THE GRAFT UPON LONGEVITY. 73

a vigorous stock, which is the product of a seed ; and
hence possesses the elements of independent life, and
the power of infusing much of its own principle of
longevity into the engrafted scions or buds.

It would be more nearly correct to say, that the,
duration of a variety is limited more or less by that
of its original, and that any inherent disease in it will
be continued, in all its buds and grafts, although
the superior vitality of the stock may mitigate its
virulence, or protract its dormant period.

Certainly, a settled conviction is obtaining among
pomologists, that some of our finest varieties, that have
been in existence for but the short time of fifty to
seventy years, have nearly reached the culmination —
as they can now only be produced, in any degree of
excellence, by the utmost care.

The White Doyenne', the Chaumontel, and others,
are notable instances of the justice of this conviction.
Some localities still produce fruit of these varieties of
great beauty and excellence ; but even there, the invis-
ible hand of disease has stealthily touched their fruits,
and the plague-spot is appearing upon their golden
cheeks.

The influence of the stock upon grafts is very
marked. The fruits of early summer varieties are
retarded in their ripening when grafted upon winter
varieties ; and pears that should keep until Easter, will
ripen in December, if the tree which produced them
was grafted upon a summer variety.

Similarity in growth and color of wood, and in style
and color of leaf, between stock and graft, is important

4

74: SEEDLING — PKOPAGATION OF VARIETIES.

in attaining perfection, but impracticable on a large
scale.

METHODS OF GRAFTING.

Scions for grafting should be of one or two years'
growth, that have not yet produced fruit-buds. The
shoots selected should be firm-wooded and stocky,
with buds close together, as a strong, healthy growth
is characterized by these marks.

Grafts taken -from the upright shoots near the top
of the tree are apt to make a vigorous and upright
growth, but are more tardy in bearing. Taken from
the lower part of the tree, they produce a more widely-
spread form, and fruit earlier.

The trees from which the grafts or buds are taken
should be healthy, and have produced a vigorous
growth during the previous season, but such as have
at any time exhibited symptoms of frozen sap-blight
should especially be avoided.

Varieties which succeed but indifferently on quince
stocks, ought not to be propagated by scions from
trees grown on quince. Indeed, it is a mooted ques-
tion whether grafts should be taken at all from such
a source ; but I see no reason for going to this extreme.

The part of the graft used with the most success, is
that at the junction of the spring and midsummer
growth, which is marked by a somewhat fainter annu-
lar swelling than that at the commencement of the
spring growth.

The theory of grafting is, that the newer tissues of
woody growth unite, when brought into contact, if
their sap-vessels are not indurated by age. The ter-
mini of the cellular tubes are capable of exuding

METHODS OF GRAFTING.

the albuminous deposit of the sap, which unites the
graft to the new wood of the stock.

It is not unfrequent that thrifty grafts of two or
three years' growth are blown out of the cleft in the
stock ; and it will always be found on examination that
only the bark and extreme rind of sap-wood have
united, while on the remaining surfaces, woody matter
has been deposited without adhesion.

When grafts are procured from a distance, or it is
necessary to keep them some time before use, they
should be cut in winter, or early spring, before the

buds have swollen, and
packed away in moder-
ately damp sand. If al
lowed to be too wet,
they will decay, and if
exposed to evaporation,
they will wither. The graft should
be in a less advanced
condition than the
stock, as during the
process of adhesion,
evaporation from the
bark goes on rapidly
when the sap in the
graft is active, and
death ensues, be-
cause the supply can not be maintained.

Grafting of the pear is usually performed only on
large-sized stocks or upon bearing trees, except in

* Fig. 8 represents a branch, exhibiting wood-buds, in the best condition for a
graft.
t Fig. 9 represents a branch with fruit-buds, unfit for a graft

Tier

76 SEEDLING PROPAGATION OF VARIETIES.

nursery stocks, where buds set the previous season
have failed. On the smaller stocks, of one to four years
of age, budding is by far the preferable method of
propagation.

Fig. 10.

Fig. 11.

Fig. 10. Cleft-grafting with single graft.
Fig. 11. Cleft-grafting with doable grafts.

When the trees are large, only the younger and
thriftier limbs should be grafted ; but when all the
branches are old, and covered with rough bark,
a sufficient number of them should be shortened,
in order to induce new growths, on which the
grafting may be performed, as shown in Figs. 11
or 13.

Thousands of pear* trees, almost gigantic in their
size, in all parts of our country, now bearing only
the most acrid fruit, could each be made m a few

METHODS OF GRAFTING.

77

years to produce almost a wagon-load of the finest
pears.

When it is desirable to graft small stocks, it should
be done by the process known as whip-grafting, as
illustrated by Fig. 12. In Fig. 13, the cleft, which
is a simple split, is exhibited open, as it would be

Fig. 12.

Fig. 13.

after the insertion of the parts. Cleft-grafting is
usually performed on stocks of more than half an
inch in thickness — as shown by Figs. 10 and 11.

All of these operations can be performed during a
month or six weeks subsequent to the first swelling
of the bud, or from the fifteenth of March to the first
of May. The exposed surfaces should be well covered

78

SEEDLING PROPAGATION OF VARIETIES.

with grafting- wax. Crown-grafting, as shown in Figs.
14, 15 and 16, is performed by cutting the graft only

Fig. 14.

Fig. 15.

Fig. 16.

Figures 14, 15, and 16. Graft and Crown-grafting.

upon one side, leaving a square shoulder, and pressing
it down between the bark and the wood. More than
one graft may be set in a large stock. The cleft in
the siock, and the exposed surfaces, where the latter
has been cut, should be well protected by grafting-
wax. This is commonly made to be used when cold
by melting three pounds of resin, to which three
pounds of bees'-\vax and two pounds of tallow are
added. After stirring together, so as to incorporate
the ingredients, the whole may be poured into a tub
of cold water, and worked with the hands.

BUDDING.

B TJ D D I N G.

"While pear trees may be propagated with a measure
of success by other methods, it is by bud- F.g ^ #
ding only that they can be raised in large
numbers with economy and entire success.
The constitution of the Pear especially
fits it for this process.

The firm, tough bark of the stock, and
the abundant coating of mucus which
lines the interior of both the bud and
the stock, enable the operator to effect
a clean separation of the bark from the
wood, without injury to the texture of
either. The ripe mucus sap secures an
almost immediate union of the parts. In
growing the Pear upon the Quince ; the
superiority of this method of propagation
is still more marked. Mr. RIVERS says :
" of twenty grafts set in quince-stocks, it
not unfrequently happens that nineteen will live, but
nearly as often that nineteen will die." In my own.
experience with trees grafted upon quince-stock, they
have proved to separate more easily at the junction
than trees propagated by budding. It is only the
bark, and the more recent formations of wood, which
unite when brought into contact; and this union is
effected by layers of wood, deposited around the
junction, in the glutinous condition of lymph.

* Fig. 17, represents a stick of buds, with leaf-stalks for handling.

80

SEEDLING — PROPAGATION OF VARIETIES.

These facts show that a bud, com- Fis- 18-*

posed, as it is, only of bark, and of
alburnum or half-formed wood, pre-
senting a great surface of fresh material,
will form a more rapid and complete
union with the stock than an ordinary
graft. In this country, where thorough-
ness in the performance of work is often
sacrificed to rapidity, it is the general
custom to leave a portion of wood with-
in the section of bark connected with
the bud, as seen in Fig. 18. This arises,
in part, from the difficulty of separating the wood from
the bark without disturbing the chit beneath the bud,
the retaining of which is essential to success in bud-
ding. This small kernel of coagulated albumen, as
shown in Fig. 19, is the stored-up material on which
the bud feeds when quickened into life, and which
connects its vitality with the wood beneath. To
remove this deposit would insure the death of the
bud, or at least allow but a feeble growth. By care-
lessly taking out the wood from the bud, the chit
would adhere to it, and thus be displaced — as in
Fig. 20.

If the wood be left in the bark, as in Fig. 18, the
edges of the bark of the bud would unite with the
stock — the vital circulation being thus established.
But this piece of wood is a foreign substance, and the
union will be much more perfect when the whole
interior surface of the bark of the bud is allowed to
come in contact with the wood of the stock. From

* Pig. 18 shows a cut bud with the wood remaining, and figure of bud inserted.

BUDDING.

81

my own experience, I have learned to estimate trees
produced by this method much more highly than
those budded in the more common manner. They
form a stronger union, and resist the pressure of heavy
winds without cleaving apart at the junction of bud
and stock. Several methods have been adopted for
the rapid and efficient removal of the wood from bads,
but none of them admit the possibility of the inser-
tion by one man of 1200 to 2000 buds in a single day,
as is claimed by some persons.

An admirable plan is shown at Fig. 21. The pro-
cess, consists in thrusting the tough, but not harsh

Fig. 19. Fig. 20.

Fig. 21.

Fig. 19. A bud with the eye preserved.
Fig. 20. A bud with the eye removed.
Fig. 21. Quill as used in separating wood from the bud.

edge, of a quill, under the upturned edge of wood, and
pressing it firmly and gently forward; the chit is
cut smoothly from the wood, and remains in its
proper place, attached to the bud.

The thickened mucous sap which lines the bark,
and covers the wood, when closely examined, will

4*

82

SEEDLING PROPAGATION OF VARIETIES.

exhibit a cellular structure of albuminous materials
attached to the chit, ready to extend themselves into
the shoot, which the dormant bud will ultimately form.

Fig. 22.

Fig. 22. Stick with bud at A, too high-shouldered for setting.

The operation of fitting the bud to the stock, after
each is cut, should be performed almost instant-
aneously. This is equally necessary to prevent the
drying, and the chemical change of the exposed sap,
which almost immediately oxidizes, and turns brown —
like the flesh and juice of an apple, when cut and ex-
posed to the air.

Fig. 23.

Fig. 23. Stick of buds, selected properly.

For budding, select young, vigorous shoots, of the
present year's growth, with well-ripened buds, as
shown at Fig. 23. Cut off the leaves, allowing the
foot-stalks to remain attached to the bud, serving as
a handle when the bud is fitted into its place in the
stock. "Reject the upper and unripe buds, selecting
only the plump, well-ripened ones. Hold the larger
end towards your body, inserting the knife-blade as
far above the bud as you intend to leave the bark
below it, and separate the bud, with a rather deep

BUDDING.

83

cut into the wood, as shown at Fig. 24. Hold the
removed bud by the foot-stalk, and with the quill
take away the woody portion. If you choose to leave

Fig, 24.

Fig. 25.

Fig. 24 The proper cut to be made in separating the bud.
Fig. 25. Quill prepared for separating bud from the wood.

the wood, pare it down as thin as possible. If you
are not expert in the manipulation, shield the bud
from the air by placing it in the mouth, or in a vessel
of water. Make the incision quickly in the bark of

84 SEEDLING PROPAGATION OF VARIETIES.

the stock, as in Fig. 26 ; raise it from the wood, and
push in the bud, by the leaf-stalk. You may now
cut off the bark above the bud, so that it will exactly
fit the cross incision, and tie the whole gently, but
firmly, with strips of bass matting, as at Fig. 27.
The ties should be loosened in two or three weeks
after the budding is finished, and entirely removed
before winter sets in.

Fig. 2& Fig. 27.

Fig. 26. Bud with wood removed, and stock cut for insertion.
Fig. 27. Bud inserted and tied.

Budding is occasionally performed in spring, but
not to any extent in commercial nurseries ; nor is it
universally successful, although a convenient process,
when buds which were inserted the previous summer
have failed.

The period for budding the Pear extends from the
middle of July to the middle of September— the pre-

BUDDING.

else time depending on various local circumstances
which affect the growth of the tree. The season may
be a late or early one, or a poor soil may have retarded,
or a rich one stimulated the growth, so as materially
to affect the period for budding. Dry summers and
late spring planting of stocks will also retard the
operation. The observation of the following points
will assist in selecting the proper time for budding.
The first or spring growth of leaves should be fully
ripened, and the midsummer growth nearly com-
pleted. At this time, an abundance of ripened or
richly albuminous sap is thrown between the bark and
wood, and when both the stock and the bud are in
this condition, union is readily effected by the harden-
ing of this sap into tissue.

The stock should be cut three or
four inches above the bud, as shown
at Fig. 28, soon after the leaves start,
although with very strong and well
rooted plants, care must be observed
not to deprive the plant of all its top,
until the bud has put forth a shoot
some inches in length. As soon as
the latter has grown to nearly a foot
in height, it should, if inclining from
the perpendicular, be staked and tied.
Occasionally, the stump of the stock
will afford sufficient stay for the sup-
port of the shoot without the use of
a stake.

Fig. 28.*

* Fig. 28 represents the treatment of the budded plant during the first summer.

PAKT in.— SELECTING, PLANTING, AND
CULTIVATION.

SELECTING PEAR TREES FROM THE NURSERY.

EVERY fruit grower should either select his trees for
himself, or obtain .the services of a competent person.
There are so many circumstances governing the suc-
cess of nursery trees, so great a difference in their
growth, and their roots, as well as in the manner in
which they are taken from the ground, that the most
careful attention is necessary to avoid the numerous
chances of failure. The soil on which the nursery
trees have grown is a subject of some consequence.
It should be one well suited to the permanent growth
and fruiting of the trees. Some nurserymen, in order
to meet the quickened demand for large and hand-
some pear trees, stimulate their growth by profuse
applications of manure. This practice will produce a
succulent unripened growth, and the trees, when
planted in an inferior soil, are either killed by winter-
blight, or languish for several years.

An instance is narrated of a nursery which was
advertised as containing immense numbers of pear
trees, which was said to have been manured at the
rate of two hundred double wagon loads per acre.

SELECTING PEAR TEEES FROM NURSERY. 87

One large nursery of pear trees, which came under my
observation, was located upon the bed of a drained
rnill-pond, the water still standing at two or three feet
below the surface in the ditches, which were dug at
such distances apart, that the water rose to the sur-
face between them. On this alluvial soil, an enor-
mous growth was obtained, but at the expense of the
healthfulness of the trees. Of some fifteen hundred
pear trees obtained by the author from this ground,
nearly half perished by blight during the first year.
Other nurseries may be seen located on imperfectly
drained alluvial soils. Pear trees grown on such
grounds are always deficient in fibrous roots, and con-
sequently less able to bear transplanting.

Disappointment, also, often attends the selection of
trees transplanted from poor and neglected soils,
particularly those that are light and sandy. The
plants acquire a stinted habit of growth, from which
they seldom or never thoroughly recover.

The purchaser should observe if lice or other para-
sitic insects have made a lodgment upon the trees,
and guard against domesticating a pest which it will
require years to exterminate. Trees infested by them
in the nursery, are generally stunted, and their growth,
for a longer or shorter time, retarded.

In selecting plants for pyramid trees, choose those
that have branches or branch-spurs within a foot of
the ground, and fairly distributed along the stem. It
will be impossible to find trees in any considerable
number with the branches perfectly arranged, still
those only should be selected for this purpose which
approach the standard as nearly as possible.

88 SELECTING, PLANTING, AND CULTIVATION.

The stem or trunk of a healthy nursery tree will
usually be twice the diameter near the ground that
it will be three feet above, and decrease with a regular
taper towards the top. Stems that are of the same
size at the collar, and three, or as sometimes happens,
even five feet above it, have been forced up in their
growth by crowding in the rows, or by injudicious
pruning. The height of trees should be a secondary
object compared to other qualities. The bark should
be clean, of a lustrous appearance, and free from
ungainly scars from wounds made by the pruning
knife.

Nurserymen are often forced, by the popular prefer-
ence for tall trees, to prune them contrary to their
judgment, so as to induce growth in that form : the
lower part of the tree, deprived of its portion of the
foliage, remains undeveloped, while the top is increas-
ing at its expense.

The purchaser should ascertain, if possible, how old
the trees are, and how long they have stood in the
nursery rows without being lifted, or root-pruned;
for a tree of any kind, and especially a pear tree,
will not be well provided with fibrous roots within
the circle dug in taking it up, after standing for three
or four years, without root-pruning or transplanting ;
nor will a pear tree form these fibrous roots, on which
depend its vitality and fruitfulness, unless the stock,
on which it was budded, has been properly treated
for their formation. It is the practice in some of the
French nurseries to cut off the tap-root of pear seed-
lings when they are three or four inches high, to cause
the growth of fibrous roots — just as we pinch off the

CAUSES OF THE FAILURE OF NUKSERF TREES. 89

terminal bud of the yearling shoot, to produce lateral
brandies. When taken from the seed-bed, the plants,
instead of the single tap-root, ten or twelve inches
long, will have three or four roots from four to eight
inches in length. These roots are shortened, and the
plants set in the nursery rows, when a mass of fibrous
roots will be produced. If the trees remain in the
nursery for more than two years, the roots are again
shortened.

A healthy pear tree, three or four years old, twice
transplanted, is worth fifty per cent more than one
of the same age, though of much greater size, remain-
ing where it was budded. When the trees are lifted
in the nursery, observe whether the roots are fibrous,
and numerous ; and if they are not, but consist of long,
naked roots, or of two or three straight forks, their
chances of successful transplanting are very small.

CAUSES OF THE FAILURE OF NURSERY TREES.

The various causes of the failure of trees obtained
from nurseries would require almost a lifetime to
investigate, and a volume for their enumeration. A
few that have fallen under our observation will be
simply narrated, without discussion.

1. The too great crowding of the trees in the nurs-
ery rows, by which a fair supply of roots cannot be
obtained.

2. The trees are dug with too little care, and sent
away with, mangled and shortened roots.^

3. Purchasers are not always sufficiently liberal to
be willing to pay for the best trees, or for matting and
packing them.

90 SELECTING, PLANTING, AND CULTIVATION.

4:. The trees may be too old, or have stood too long
without transplanting.

5. Bad pruning.

6. The practice of grafting on old stocks, to
which the new wood has not the power of assimi-
lating.

Y. The practice of gathering seeds for stocks from
any and every source, from diseased fruit, and from
the fruit of diseased trees ; while the seed of small and
wild pears only are fit for the purpose.

8. The custom of using suckers from old pear-tree
roots, which seldom attain a fair size or thrifty
growth.

9. The employment of the common and the Por-
tugal Quinces for stock, instead of the large and rapidly
growing Angers variety.

PEOPEB AGE FOE PLANTING.

This will depend much on the growth and treat-
ment in the nursery. I am decidedly of the opinion,
that when pear trees are to be left to struggle with
the ordinary difficulties in an orchard, even when
they are to have skillful attention and watchful care,
they should not be planted less than four years old. This
requirement, however, is not without exceptions. For
instance: when they are to be planted not farther
apart than twelve or fifteen feet, and have some of the
advantages of good nursery treatment — in this casr,
even yearlings may be planted at once in the fruit
ground ; also, when they are to be planted at greater
distances, and the grower will not begrudge the
bestowment of so large a piece of ground to the

PROPER AGE FOR PLANTrffG. 91

cultivation of such small trees. The disadvantages
of planting small trees are, that they are liable to be
injured by the plow, and browsed by cattle, accident-
ally or intentionally admitted, or by the animals used
in tillage. Perhaps the most formidable objection is,
that the owner will regret what he deems the waste
of a valuable piece of ground for so many years ; and
against his own judgment sow or plant an injurious
crop among his trees.

There is, however, a much better method of treat-
ing young trees, than to subject them to the chance
of all these evils. If they have not been transplanted
or root-pruned, select those of two or three years7
growth, and prepare a piece of ground for the home
nursery. For this a rich, deep, dry soil should be
spaded and thoroughly pulverized, to the depth of
two feet. In it plant the trees in rows four feet dis-
tant, and three feet apart in the rows. Two hundred
trees would here occupy a space fifty feet square.
The roots having been carefully examined, and, as
before mentioned, the laterals pruned to six or eight
inches, are spread out horizontally, and gently covered
with earth. It will be seen that the labor of pinching,
pruning, and cultivating, will be much less on so small
a spot, than when the cultivator is obliged to travel
over the three or four acres, upon which they are ulti-
mately to be planted.

If at the end of two years it is still desirable to
allow them to remain, a sharp spade should be thrust
down around them, at a distance of fifteen or eighteen
inches, in order to cut the long straggling roots, and
thus induce the formation of roots nearer home. This

92 SELECTING, PLANTING, AND CULTIVATION.

will fit them for transplanting at an advanced stage
of growth. In this case, if at the end of two or three
years they are removed at the proper season, and with
care, they will suffer scarcely any check. By pursu-
ing this plan they receive better care, grow faster,
and are not liable to damage ; and as only good trees
will in this case be set in the fruit grounds, none of
those unseemly breaks in the rows, caused by the
death or injury of a tree, need occur.

"Where, however, older trees, at least once trans
planted, can not be obtained, and it is desirable to
set out the orchard at once, stout two-year-old trees
are decidedly preferable. Such trees have not stood
sufficiently long to send their roots beyond a limit,
whence they can be removed ; and with careful digging,
removal, and planting, the purchaser need not fear
a loss of more than two per cent. Quince-rooted
trees can be removed at any age. When over ten
years old, and twelve to fifteen feet high, they can be
transplanted with as much safety as pear trees, grown
on pear roots, at two years of age. Captain Richard-
son, of Brooklyn, who sailed the " Duchess d'Orleans,"
a Havre packet, for many years, was induced by a
French gentleman at that port to bring home in his
vessel some large pear trees, grown on quince roots.

These trees were nearly twenty feet high, with a
main stem six or eight inches thick at the base,
branched close to the ground, and each as perfectly
conical as a Norway Spruce. They had been in bear-
ing in France for nearly twenty years ; and are now,
after thirteen years of growth in a new soil, beautiful
objects in shape and foliage ; and what is more, pro-

PROPER AGE FOR PLANTING. 93

duce every year large crops of splendid fruit. Of the
six thus brought three thousand miles, five are still
living.

Persons planting large pear trees will, without
doubt, obtain many advantages which they could not
expect from smaller ones ; yet these are entirely con-
ditional upon the treatment the trees have previously
received.

To repeat, pear trees upon quince roots, of ten or
twelve years of age, may be removed with almost
perfect certainty of success. But to insure safety with
trees upon pear stocks, whose branches have not been
shortened-in, they should be either pyramids or half
standards, so that fibrous roots will have formed near
the stem ; or they must have been root-pruned, or
transplanted in the nursery. But in the case of stand-
ards, whose growth has been unchecked, roots as long
and numerous as the branches will have formed — which,
of course cannot be retained in transplanting. Such
trees can only be safely transplanted when root-
pruned the previous year, by digging a trench around
each, and cutting off all the roots which extend into
the trench. These trenches should be filled with good
soil, to induce the formation of fibrous roots.

After much experience in planting large trees, I
am convinced that the pear is the only species of fruit-
tree capable of being readily transplanted at a large
size ; and that when the foregoing directions are com-
plied with, the pear culturist may obtain an advance
in the fruiting of his orchard of five or six years.

Instances of success in the planting and fruiting of
large trees- are numerous. In the spring of 1856,

94: SELECTING, PLANTING, AND CULTIVATION.

Mr. L. PECK, of New Haven, removed to his garden a
Flemish Beauty, twelve years old, which, in the fall of
1857, bore a bushel of pears that averaged larger than
Duchesse d'Angouleme, grown on the same grounds.
A large number of trees of equal size, planted at
the same time, proved nearly as successful. Mr. Wm.
HOWE, of North Salem, Westchester Co., planted a
few years since, some large trees from the pear ground
of Mr. Samuel Parsons, mentioned by Mr. Barry in
his " Fruit Garden," and in two years obtained from it
then the finest Yicar and Easter Beurre Pears exhib-
ited at the Fair of the American Institute for that year.

SEASON FOE REMOVING AND PLANTING TREES.

Our country possesses such a varied soil and climate
that no general rule can be given for the time of
planting; indeed, the exact period must differ with
almost every season. The removal of trees should
take place while the vital powers are dormant, or
nearly so. This is indicated by the ripening, and ulti-
mately by the fall of the leaf, which occurs, in the
latitude of New York City, from the middle of Sep-
tember until the first of November. From the period
at which the leaves ripen until they form again in
April or May, trees may be removed with safety
whenever the state of the weather will permit, and
the soil is sufficiently free from frost for their recep-
tion. Large numbers of trees are removed from nur-
series, and planted with success, immediately after the
leaves have been killed by early frost — such as remain
on the tree having been stripped off.

The fibrous-rooted quince and root-pruned pear

SEASON FOE REMOVING AND PLANTING. 95

trees are liable to be thrown out by the freezings and
thawings of winter, if they are not planted sufficiently
early to allow the settling of the soil about the roots
before the ground freezes. When planted in autumn
the trees should receive a heap of earth about their
trunk and over the roots. If the trees to be planted
can be obtained at a period in the fall when one may
reasonably expect fine weather and warm rains to
assist in settling the earth, before it is frozen, the
hurry and uncertainty of a late spring should be
avoided by autumn planting. The season best adapted
to the transplanting of the Pear is, that short period
before the commencement of severe frosts when the
leaves and wood are perfectly ripened, and the for-
mer easily parts from the tree. At this period, the
great flow of sap to the leaves has ceased, and every
cut and bruised rootlet will receive a covering of
healing tissue, through which, within a few days, root-
lets will push out.

During the fall and spring, when the ground is not
frozen, these radicles are increasing, and are ready to
commence their office when the first leaves begin to
put forth. Not only do the wounded roots send forth
fibres, but twigs of the pear-wood which have been
properly layered in late summer will be well provided
writh spongioles. Trees removed in early autumn,
with care, will scarcely show any check, and will often
fruit as well the first season after planting as if they
had not been disturbed.

Trees received from France, which have been dug
when wood and leaf were fully ripened, will, on their
arrival here, exhibit on their pruned roots, and even

96 SELECTING, PLANTING, AND CULTIVATION.

on their broken branches, a thick coating of newly-
formed tissue, and often many rootlets, an inch or more
in length. The most skillful English nurserymen and
fruit cultivators select early autumn for the removal
of their trees.

If trees arrive in early spring, one should not hasten
the planting so much as to be obliged to perform
the work indifferently, by planting in shallow holes
or poorly prepared soil. Lay the trees in by the heels,
covering the roots deeply with loose, tine earth, and
then plant them at leisure, removing them from the
trench no faster than they are required. By occasion-
ally moving the trees heeled-in, the period of planting
may be delayed until the middle of May. It must
not be forgotten, that the leaves should be fully ripe,
and all growth completed, else the evaporation of sap
through the still active leaves would go on too rapidly
for the supply afforded by the maimed roots.

ROOTS OF THE PEAR.

As the Pear tree advances in age, the difficulty of
successful removal increases. The reason is not always
understood by those who seem to consider the roots
as chiefly valuable for sustaining the tree in an upright
position, and obtain with the tree the least number
that will perform this office. Almost all persons be-
lieve that if, by dint of extra labor, they have secured
a few long, naked canes of roots, that they have per-
formed their work admirably; although by careless
digging, or pulling the roots through the soil, they
may have destroyed all the hair-like fibres which
alone give value to the main roots. The nourishment

PRUNING BEFORE PLANTING. 97

of trees is received from the soil, through the agency
of the hair-like rootlets which spread through it
from the termini of the larger root. No matter how
many large roots may be attached to the lifted tree,
its removal will only be well performed when you
have secured a large quantity of fibrous roots.

As the tree increases in size, the roots near the body
exhaust the soil of nutriment, and the absorbents, or
fibrous spongioles, become hardened by age, and
incapable of action. New fibres push out from the
termini of the rootlets into the newer and richer soil,
and the office of those in the exhausted ground is at
an end. Nature supports no useless members in her
economy, and those radicles which have performed
their office, and become incapable of affording further
aid, are cast off.

Thus, year after year, as the roots extend and throw
off their fibres, the new spongioles supplied are found
farther and farther from the trunk, and more and more
labor must be expended in the digging, to obtain a
sufficient number of them to sustain the tree in its
new position.

No one need expect a tree to flourish, or indeed do
more than barely survive transplanting, who is care-
less about the kind of roots with which his trees are
supplied.

PRUNING AND ROOT-PRUNING BEFORE PLANTING.

Although the Pear tree will endure more severe
pruning, and yield more readily to modifications of
its form, than other fruit-trees, yet this facility of man-
agement may cause us to lose sight of the fact, that the

5

98

SELECTING, PLANTING, AND CULTIVATION.

restraint of its irregular growth can be better per-
formed in its succulent condition by summer pinch-
ing. But as the form of nursery trees is usually very
imperfect, and will require severe pruning to reduce
it to regularity, we should perform this labor in

Fig. 29.

Fig. 80.

Fig. 81.

such a manner as to need no repetition, and so that
only the gentler restraints of summer pinching, and
the pruning of young shoots, will be needed, to
induce a handsome shape. The great difference
between the effects of two methods of pruning may
be seen by reference to the figures. Fig. 30 repre-
sents a maiden plant or tree of one year's growth
from the bud. with a mark at A, to indicate the place
at which it is frequently shortened in the fall pnming.

PETJNING BEFORE PLANTING. 99

It should have been shortened in at about half
its height. The cross lines on Fig. 31 indicate places
on the limbs where the usual improper pruning
would be performed. Both of these Figures ex-
hibit incorrect modes of shortening, which will in-
duce a growth that becomes very difficult to shape
into regularity. To form a pyramid of the tree
shown at Fig. 30, its branches should be shortened
to two or three buds, and the young shoots formed from
these, pinched during the latter part of June, to in-
duce the lower dormant buds to push out. But the
method most certain of producing the basis for a well-
shaped pyramid is the summer pinching of the maiden
plant, as shown at Fig. 31, which is the form that the
tree at Fig. 29 would have assumed in autumn, if
pinched during the preceding July. This last-men-
tioned tree will now need to be shortened-in much
below the mark at A, to induce lateral shoots in the
proper place to form a well-balanced pyramid. ~No
general rule for pruning trees before planting would
accurately meet the necessities of each case, but it will
be safe to recommend, that when branches or branch
spurs have not formed low down upon the stem, or
when the tree is not stocky and vigorous, or when
the roots are much shortened in digging, the tree
should be cut back one-half of its height. ~No one
who prizes ultimate excellence more than the present
appearance of his trees, but will prune mercilessly all
the parts that conflict with their perfection of shape.
In most instances, trees are retarded for two or three
years by permitting too large a quantity of foliage
to remain. Too many branches are demanding a mere

100 SELECTING, PLANTING, AND CULTIVATION.

subsistence, when a fewer number would find nutri-
ment enough to insure a vigorous growth.

When the pyramidal form is not desired, it is still
necessary to preserve the balance between the roots
and the top of the tree.

Most horticulturists have stopped here in their in-
structions relating to planting ; but root-pruning will
be found fully as important in practice as the proper
shaping of the top. Wounded roots must not only be
removed, and the ends of all the cut or broken ones
smoothly pared, but, in many cases, all the roots may
be shortened with profit in the. growth and fruiting
of the tree. When large mass s of fibrous roots are
formed, as on the quince and root-pruned pear stocks,
they become so matted together as not easily to be
separated from each other by earth in planting. When
roots are placed in contact in the soil, they will usu-
ally become diseased, and lose their power of affording
sustenance to the tree.

Before the tree is planted, the fibres and succulent
spongioles should be shortened to an inch in length,
and thinned sufficiently to admit of being readily sep-
arated by the earth distributed among them.

It is now the received practice among horticultur-
ists to plant the pear or quince root so deep as to
cover the place where the pear-bud was inserted. By
this method, as the quince stock has been budded at
least four inches above the ground, we add six inches
to the depth of the root, plunging into a colder soil
those rootlets which have been formed near the sur-
face, and are not adapted to that depth, and tbua

PRUNING BEFOKE PLANTING. 101

violating some of the delicate conditions of vegetable
life.

In replanting trees on quince stocks so deep as to
cover a portion of the pear, it is best to prune off two
or three inches of the main root. The recent removal
of some hundred trees, which had been planted out
three or four years, gave me an opportunity of exam-
ining the effect of deep planting. In almost every
instance where the quince-roots had been buried six
or eight inches deeper than the natural position, I
found the lower layer of roots inert, and in many cases
diseased, and it has now become my practice to remove
three or four inches of the lower portion of the main
root with a fine saw. For trees upon the quince stock,
no fears need be entertained on account of the reduc-
tion of the roots, as the portion of the stock buried
will soon be covered with fibres and rootlets.

After having been once root-pruned and planted
out, trees may be removed within three years from
their root-pruning, without greatly reducing their tops.
Ordinary nursery trees must be severely pruned in
their branches, in order to reduce the evaporating
surface of wood and leaves to a limit that will
require no more sap than the roots are able to furnish.
Suppose a tree capable of evaporating two gallons of
sap each day, through its leaves, is provided with
roots sufficient to furnish this amount. Now, if the
tree be removed, and nearly half the roots are muti-
lated and lost, while all the branches and leaves are
left entire, it is plainly to be seen that the latter will
continue to require a full supply of sap, while the
diminished roots will be incapable of supplying suffi-

102 SELECTING, PLANTING, AND CULTIVATION.

cient moisture to prevent the tree from drying. It
must be distinctly kept in mind that the formation of
roots is in almost exact ratio to the amount of healthy
branches and foliage, and that every branch has its
counterpart of root below the surface of the soil.

REPLANTING THE PEAR TO FORM FIBROUS ROOTS.

Some of the English, and other foreign nurserymen
have a scale of prices for trees of the same variety,
graduated by the number of tran&plantings.

The tree is lifted at the end of the second year, the
roots smoothly trimmed, and replanted immediately
in an adjoining trench. As each successive row is
removed, the ground 'which was occupied by it is
opened for the reception of the next. The benefits
derived from this process consist in the formation
of large numbers of fibrous roots, which push out
at the extremities of the pruned roots, and the con-
sequent safety of removal. Two or three transplant-
ings of the Pear tree will produce a mass of rootlets
and spongioles that somewhat resembles an enormous
head of hair. The transplantings occurring at inter-
vals of two or three years, will occasion at each
removal more and more surprise at the immense
mass of roots, and the great change which will have
taken place in their character. Instead of long
straggling laterals, stretching away from the trunk
for several yards, masses of innumerable fibres
will be found, contained within a compass of three
or four feet, and instead of the feeble shoots that
are usually produced after removal, the same season

HEELING-IN WITHERED TREES. 103

will often exhibit a vigorous growth, and ripened
fruit.

HEELING-IK.

"When trees arrive at an inconvenient time for their
permanent planting, they should be immediately
heeled-in. A trench should be dug near]y a foot
deep, taking care to throw all the earth upon one side,
to form a bank sloping to the bottom of the ditch. In
this trench place the roots of the trees close together,
permitting their bodies to recline against the bank ;
then sprinkle the earth upon the roots as in planting,
taking care to leave no spaces for mice to harbor in,
or which will expose the roots to frost, or the drying
influence of the atmosphere. If the trees are to
remain any length of time, and particularly through
the winter, this is a labor that must not be slighted,
and the trees should receive nearly as much care as
in permanent planting.

When slightly inclined, the trees are more readily
covered, and can be removed with less injury to their
roots. If the trees in this position should commence
growing before it is convenient to plant them, the
growth may immediately be checked by lifting them
sufficiently to detach the soft spongioles forming.

TREATMENT OF WITHERED TREES.

When the roots of trees that arrive from the nursery
appear dry, if the branches are not withered, it will
be sufficient to plunge them for an hour into a thin
mortar of clay or earth ; but when the trunk and
branches present a shrunken and withered appear-
ance, they should be at once laid at length in a shal-

104 SELECTING, PLANTING, AND CULTIVATION.

low trench, covered lightly with earth, and left from
three to ten days, according to their condition, until
the bark is swollen full and plump. The wood of
plants is not a solid structure, but is composed of
cells or short tubes, separated by woody fibre. These
cells are the arteries and veins of the plant, in which
is conveyed the sap which hardens into wood and
bark, or is developed into fruit and leaf.

"When the tree has become dry, these cells contract
so much that sap cannot pass through them, and arti-
ficial means, such as are above described, become
necessary to restore their functions. Trees which it
is necessary to treat in this manner should be short-
ened in to a greater extent than is needful in other
cases, and when planted, the ground should be well
mulched. Frequent sprinkling and watering of the
branches and foliage of injured and poorly rooted trees
is found much more useful than the profuse pouring of
water upon the roots — by preventing the evaporation
through the leaves from exhausting the supply of sap

PLANTING.

Many persons imagine it necessary to choose a wet
day for planting trees. On a light sandy loam, little
injury would result, perhaps, from the selection of
such a day, but for planting upon a strong loam, or
clayey soil, no choice could be more injudicious.

The earth falls in mortar or in clods upon the roots,
pressing them down into close contact, instead of
being distributed between them, and thus separating
each rootlet from its fellow with intervening earth
that would soon be filled with fibres.

PLANTING. 105

9

The ground, even of a light soil, is trodden hard
when wet, and is thus left in the most unfit condition
for future cultivation. Contrary to the usual belief,
the day selected ought not only to be dry, but at
least two or three days should have elapsed after the
falling of rain, before planting is commenced. The
soil being now prepared, and the holes dug according
to the directions given, let one person hold the tree in
an upright condition, and another with a shaking
motion of the shovel sift the mould among the roots,
ooccasionally stopping to lift those roots that have
fallen below their natural position. The necessity of
attending carefully to this latter direction will be
seen from the fact that the roots of trees, especially
when fibrous, are thrown out in layers so as to reach
different strata of earth, and that no two roots can be
found growing in contact. Consequently, when the
roots are pressed down in a mass, the energies of the
tree must be greatly crippled, and its growth retarded.
When the roots have been partially covered by shak-
ing in the pulverized earth, the person holding the
tree may, by a slight tremulous motion, sift the finer
particles among the fibrous roots, and thus separate
them more completely ; but carefully avoiding to lift
the tree so as to alter its level, or tear its roots. To
prevent the formation of a hollow beneath the forked
roots of a tree, a mound of firm earth should be formed
in the hole upon which the tree is to be planted, and
care observed to press the earth into any space that
may remain.

If the tree is found to be planted too deeply, it
must not be lifted, with all the weight of soil upon it,

5*

106 SELECTING, PLANTING, AND CULTIVATION.

•

until it has reached its proper level (as this careless
plan would displace all the roots, and entirely ruin the
more delicate ones) but the earth should be carefully
removed, and the tree reset. The hole should be tilled,
as far as possible, with the top soil ; and to obtain a
sufficiency for this purpose, the soil should be removed
from the adjoining surface, and intermingled with a
portion of the subsoil, to till the hole.

If the earth immediately around the roots of a tree
is poor, the most skillful cultivator cannot remedy
the defect without removal of the tree ; but when an
infertile soil is upon the surface, any ordinary laborer
can improve it by manuring.

The loose earth with which holes are filled in plant-
ing trees, must not be pressed upon the roots by tread-
ing, or other means, under the pretext of fixing the
tree firmly in its place. The more loose and porous the
soil is left, in filling the hole, the more perfectly will
the next rains wash it among and around the roots,
and solidify the ground. If convenient, a few pails
of water would imperfectly imitate the effect of rain,
and prove temporarily beneficial. To prevent the
displacement of the tree by heavy winds, and the con-
sequent racking and fracture of the roots, a mound of
earth should be raised against the body, to remain
through the winter, and for a month or more in spring.

PLAN OF ARRANGING PEAR GROUNDS.

By training all the trees of a plantation, whether on
Quince or Pear roots, as pyramids or low standards,
but little care need be observed to preserve greater
distances between those on Pear stocks. The best

PLAN OF ARRANGING PEAR GROUNDS.

107

arrangement is the quincunx, as it affords a larger
space to trees planted in this manner, than set oppo-
site each other. Fig. 32.
By this plan, the loofeet
trees will be ar-
ranged in rows
in five different
directions, from
which fact the
method takes its
name. In plant-
ing, the ground
should be laid
off by a plow in
farrows, at the
proper distance.
A furrow should
then be plowed
at right angles
to the former, at
one end of the
plot, where the
outside row of
trees is to be
planted, as in
Fig. 32. The dis-
tance at which
the next paral-
lel furrow is
to be plowed,
should be one half of that at which the trees
are to be planted in the rows. That is, if the
rows are ten feet from each other, and the trees are to

108 SELECTING, PLANTING, AND CULTIVATION.

be planted at ten feet apart in the rows, the cross far-
rows must be plowed five feet distant from each other.

Every alternate crossing will indicate the position
of a tree, omitting the first crossing in each alternate
row. If the trees are planted quite up to the bound-
ary line, this plan would give us five rows of twenty-
two, and six rows of twenty- three trees each, or an
aggregate of 248 trees upon a plot of the size as shown
at Fig. 32, which represents half an acre of ground —
although the addition to one side of this of an equal
plot of ground would be capable of containing only
225 trees. If trained to branch near the ground,
and properly pruned, 473 trees may be grown and
fruited upon an acre, for many years, without crowding.
By this method — improperly termed quincunx — each
tree would stand ten feet from its neighbors in the
same row, and a trifle over twelve feet from the nearest
in the adjacent rows.

The true quincunx arrangement is formed by plac-
ing the trees at equal distances from each other in
every direction, and when the distance proposed is ten
feet, it will be necessary that the rows should be laid
out at eight feet eight inches apart, and the trees
planted ten feet apart in the rows, as represented in
Fig. 32. By this arrangement, each tree occupies the
centre of a hexagon of equal sides, and is consequently
equidistant from all the adjacent trees — exactly ten
feet separating each tree in the plot from its neighbors.
By this method, 563 trees maybe planted on an acre,
as we gain space for three additional rows.

For a pear garden, I have found ten feet to be an
ample distance ; and for planting an acre, would recom-

PLAN OF ARRANGING PEAR GROUNDS. 109

mend that the eleven trees at each end of the plot,
and one entire row of twenty-three trees, should be
omitted in planting, and that the space occupied by
the row be divided on each side of the plot, so as to
leave a clear unoccupied space of five feet around it.
Five hundred trees will thus find ample room upon an
acre ; and may yield their fruit to one generation before
they will give evidence of being crowded.

A plan very frequently adopted is, the planting in
borders on either side of a path and around garden
squares. The borders should be deeply tilled and
rich, and the trees may be planted quite closely.

A beautiful effect may be produced by preparing,
on each side of a path, a border of not less than
twenty-five feet wide, in which are to be planted fruit-
trees, in a form to produce the eifect of the sides of
an amphitheatre. In the side of the border farthest
from the path, are to be planted the most vigorous
varieties of pear trees, on their own roots. Next, and
at a distance of not more six feet, should be planted
a row of less thrifty kinds, on quince roots. Each
succeeding row should be composed of varieties less
vigorous in their growth than the preceding, until
the front row is reached, which should be planted with
dwarf apples.

The outside row may be planted with the Vicar of
Winkfield and St. Michael Archange — the second with
Bartlett on pear, and Urbaniste on quince stocks,
the third with Duchesse and Louise Bonne de Jersey
on quince, and the fourth with Flemish Beauty and
Winter Nelis on quince.

110 SELECTING, PLANTING. AND CULTIVATION.

DEPTH OF PLANTING.

No part of fruit culture has attracted more attention,
and elicited more speculation, than this". In one point
all are agreed, that, with few exceptions, fruit-trees
should never be planted deeper than they grew in the
nursery. The part of the tree called the collar, where
the bark of the roots meets that of the trunk, the natural
position of which is a little below the surface of the
ground, marks the limit to which it should be usually
buried. Although the earth may be temporarily
heaped higher than this, around a tree just planted,
yet it should generally be removed soon after growth
commences.

A Mr. Comstock created some sensation, not long
since, by his claim to have discovered the grand secret
of successful fruit culture. He acquired some money,
and a sort of fame, by lectures upon what he termed
the science of Terra-culture — or, cultivation with-
out disturbing the rootlets which till the soil. His
theory was, that a tree planted below its natural
depth threw out a new stratum of roots, by which the
equilibrium was lost, and it became thenceforth a
maimed tree, incapable of producing its maximum
of fruit. But his theory was only a repetition of
the old story of human error — a part taken for the
whole.

In planting in a dry and deeply pulverized soil,
the pear tree may with safety be placed lower than
its original position. According to my own expe-
rience, it is quite essential to success, after removing
a pear tree from a heavy to a light soil, that it be

DEPTH OF PLANTING. Ill

planted one or two inches deeper than originally
grown.

But in wet or compact soils, or on those composed
in great part of organic matter, like the Western prai-
ries, a preferable plan is, to ridge up the soil six or
eight inches high, by backfurrowing, and in the em-
bankment plant the trees. Some persons have prac-
ticed with success, on wet or clay soils, a plan of plant-
ing on the surface of the ground, and covering the
roots, by heaping up a mound of earth much wider
than the space occupied by them. This may serve
temporarily ; but the plan is a mere shift to escape the
labor and expense of draining, and permanently im-
proving the soil.

But to the rule generally established for the depth
of planting, there are two notable exceptions. First,
while the Peach, Cherry, Plum, and Apple, cannot be
planted much lower than the collar without injury, the
Quince, the Grape, and the Pear on quince roots, are,
from the structure of their bark and wood, capable of
adapting themselves to a depth of planting much lower.
Second, when the soils have been deeply trenched or
subsoiled, their level is much higher than in their
former state, and in compacting, they will sink away
from the roots planted in them, leaving the upper
ones exposed, unless the trees should be planted
deeper than grown in the nursery. Very fibrous-
rooted trees obtain a better hold of the soil, and are
carried down with it. In planting grounds deeply
prepared with pear trees, I have found those on the
quince stock, by their fibrous roots, able to main-
tain their relative position in the soil, while in its

112 SELECTING, PLANTING, AND CULTIVATION.

compacting, the .trees on pear stock alternating with
the others, would be left two or three inches out
of the ground.

CULTIVATION OF THE PEAR ORCHARD.

A reputation for bad management, and perhaps a
residence in a lunatic asylum, could not be more readily
obtained by a fanner, than to persistently practice the
growing of weeds and grass in his potato and corn-
fields, seeding down to grass the garden which he had
just planted with vegetables, or turning his cattle to
graze in his ripening grain.

Yet, scarcely one in a hundred farmers but per-
forms every one of these insane practices upon his
orchard and fruit grounds. Until within a very few
years, the orchard was quite as much relied upon for
pasturage and grain crops as the meadow and fallow.
Hundreds of thousands of trees have been planted in
ground cropped year after year with corn or wheat,
that have made no more growth in five years than
might have been produced in two. Nothing could be
less economical, even where only profit was desired.
No reason can be given why a field of corn and pota-
toes should be cultivated with plow and hoe, that
is not an equally powerful argument in favor of the
game treatment of young trees ; and there are many
reasons why the latter will not succeed with grass and
grain, when they would grow luxuriantly with root
crops. One of the principal arguments in favor of the
latter practice may suggest others to thinking observ-
ers. Vegetables grown for their roots derive the far
greater portion of their nutriment from the atmosphere,

CTTLTIVATION OF THE PEAR ORCHARD. 113

through their broad or luxuriant foliage, while grasses
and grains take more largely from the soil. The latter
plants not only permeate the soil more completely
with their roots, but by their taller and denser growth,
prevent that free contact of the lower branches and
leaves with the atmosphere necessary for the absorp-
tion of nutritious gases, and the deposit of invigorat-
ing dews.

The experience of the best horticulturists confirms
the opinion that the cultivation of the ground, equal
to that usually bestowed upon corn and potatoes,
coupled with the avoidance of any grain crop, will
hasten the maturity and fruiting of the Pear, from six
to ten years. If the ground is root-cropped, the cul-
tivation for the roots will afford an excellent tillage
for the trees, which, for a few years, will but little
interfere with the growth of the former. The plowing
must be managed with some skill to avoid wounding
the trunk with the whiffletree, or cutting and exposing
the roots with the share, and the distance of plow
cultivation from the tree should be increased each
year, to avoid injury to the growing roots. On this
account, the surface near the tree should not be dis-
turbed more than two or three inches deep, after the
latter has acquired considerable size, and this opera-
tion should be performed with a digging-fork. Almost
every cultivator of trees has observed striking instances
of the difference in their growth, when cultivated or
neglected ; but the narrative of one may not be inap-
propriate. A few years since, a gentleman, having
planted a considerable number of pear and other fruit-
trees, devoted a portion of the ground occupied by

114 SELECTING, PLANTING, AND CULTIVATION.

them to his vegetable garden, while the remainder
was retained as a lawn. The trees growing in the
trenched and cultivated garden are handsome pyra-
mids, ten feet high, and in bearing, while those in tiie
lawn, although with a space of two feet around them
cleared from grass, have not perceptibly increased for
six years.

MULCHING.

No process will more essentially aid in sustaining
the life of a tree, enabling it to resist the rude shock
of being torn from its native soil, and inducing vigor-
ous growth, than mulching, or covering the soil with
any waste or half-decayed vegetable material. The
half-rotted straw of the bottoms of stacks, leaves gath-
ered from the woods, the refuse clippings and tan-bark
from leather factories, are all of value for this purpose.
Covering the ground with these, three or four inches
deep, around the newly-planted trees, has the effect of
preserving a moist condition of the soil, and an even
temperature during the great heat of summer. A most
important element in the growth of plants is this pre-
servation of an equable temperature, as may be seen
in a cold vinery, where the range of the thermometer
scarcely varies ten degrees during day and night. The
mulching also protects the ground from excessive
evaporation ; so that, during long periods of drought,
the ground remains uniformly moist and light. To
the Pear this treatment is peculiarly grateful, for
there are few plants in which respiration goes on so
rapidly, and which require such constant supplies of
moisture. A curious and instructive experiment is
narrated. A pear tree was grown in a large tub until

MULCHING. 115

it had obtained a vigorous condition, and when the
soil was in a comparatively low state of humidity,
the weight of the vessel with its earth and tree was
ascertained.

In a warm July day, a given weight of water was
supplied, and the earth protected from surface evapor-
ation by a cover. In forty hours, the whole was again
weighed, when it was found that seven gallons of
water had been thrown off by the leaves of the tree
or more than twice its own weight.

Prof. MAPES narrates an experiment which he
performed upon a pyramidal pear tree three years
planted, and seven feet high. A hole was dug
beneath one of the largest roots, which remaining
attached to the tree, and with all its spongioles as
nearly entire as possible, was placed in a pail of water,
and the whole carefully covered with a blanket. In
twenty-four hours the tree was found to have appro-
priated nearly two gallons of the water. No small
benefit derived from mulching, is owing to the fact
that trees so treated need no watering ; and the excuse
for the barbarous practice of frequently drenching
their delicate rootlets with cold water is removed.
Poorly-rooted trees, or such as have been exposed
before planting, or are quite withered and dry, or
indeed all plants which survive transplanting with
much difficulty, can in many instances be saved by
mulching deeply for five or six feet about the tree.
The loose texture of the mulch does not prevent
atmospheric contact with the soil, and being con-
stantly damp, both the mulch and the earth absorb
ammonia and carbonic acid vapor. Some varieties of

116 SELECTING, PLANTING, AND CULTIVATION.

pear of great excellence, which crack badly, may be
ripened in perfection by mulching, as the cracking is
in some degree due to an .insufficient supply of sap.
The mulch not only acts as an absorbent of fertilizing
gases, but in time becomes itself a valuable manure.

There are, however, some counterbalancing disad-
vantages in mulching, which will confine its practice
to the single season of planting. The immense in-
crease of insects, which will propagate in its shelter
— the ravages of mice that find beneath it security
from pursuit — and the late growth of shoots which it
induces, liable to winter-blight, are some of the effects
of its continuance.

After much experiment, I am convinced that the
best mulch for any other than newly-planted trees is
a soil often stirred with the dew upon it.

CROPPING THE GROUND FOR A MULCH.

A very convenient substitute for litter, and one
from which none of the evils noted will result, is an
early crop of some of the broad-leaved vegetables.
Turnips, beets, and potatoes, are valuable in the order
they are mentioned for this purpose, and would in
most cases repay the labor of cultivating the trees on
them. The first two have the additional advantage
of penetrating and loosening the soil without bruising
the roots of the trees ; and by the superior coolness of
their leaves to the night-air, condense the humidify
in currents of atmosphere passing over them, in the
shape of dew, which would Inive fallen upon the
plowed field or the dusty road ; and thus assist in
nourishing the feebler foliage of the newly-planted

SPECIAL MANURES AFTER PLANTING. 117

trees. Notwithstanding all these devices for pre-
serving moisture in the earth, the golden rule of agri-
culture should be remembered. Soils disturbed when,
dry, or during the heat of the day, loose their moisture ;
but plowed or hoed in early morning, more moisture
is acquired.

SPECIAL MANURES FOR THE PEARS AFTER PLANTING.

That a Flemish Beauty or a Napoleon will be pro-
duced in perfection in one soil, while, a mile distant,
and in one of precisely similar appearance, they fail
to be anything more than second rate, is a mystery
that has hitherto mocked our investigation. It is
unfortunate that nostrums, based upon some degree
of knowledge of the necessities of the case, have been
palmed off upon the community, deterring many
persons from further investigation; still, when we
recollect what science has done for human develop-
ment, it may reasonably be expected to perform much
for vegetation.

If it is remembered, that it is a great thing in an
experiment to have Nature upon one's side^ the ana-
lysis of the Pear will suggest the course our invest-
igation should take.

It is not unfrequent that trees exhibiting every
quality requisite for fruiting fail for many years to
produce a single pear, when the application of a bushel
of lime, a dressing of wood-ashes, a small quantity of
bone-meal, or of iron filings, or refuse sand from the
foundry, has brought them into immediate fruitfulness.
I have seen some very surprising effects of some of
these materials, in the vigorous growth and fruiting

118 SELECTING, PLANTING, AND CULTIVATION-.

of trees hitherto barren. It should be understood,
that a tree can no more grow, and produce fruit,
when one of its elements is lacking, though all the
others are present, than a house can be built, when
all its materials, except the nails, have been obtained.

Mr. DOWNING was of the opinion, that bones finely
ground and mixed with wood-ashes, would prevent
the leaf-rust ; and several nurserymen who have used
the compost seem to adopt the same belief.

Mr. BAHKY very tersely and happily remarks :
"Bone-dust, blacksmiths' cinders, muck-lime, wood-
ashes, and half a dozen other things, have been recom-
mended to be compounded, in pecks and half-pecks,
all with a view to remedy the rust, or leaf-blight, that
no man can say originates in any defect of the soil."
But the failure of specific manures to produce certain
results, for which no rationale founded in natural
science could be given, ought not to deter us from
investigation in a philosophical manner. Some simple
facts illustrative of the value of scientific knowledge
in the management of the Pear may be stated. On
a plot of rich ground, where blight had year after
year affected, the Pear, its farther ravages were pre-
vented by a large application of lime ; this was
accounted for by the destructive action of the lime
upon the excessive organic matter of the soil, thus
inducing a more stocky and well ripened growth.
Dr. N. R. TEFT, of Onondaga, so changed the appear-
ance, in shape and size, of the fruit borne on a Yir-
galieu pear tree by a very large application of leached
ashes, that specimens of it received the premium from
the American Institute as the boat new table-pear.

SPECIAL MANURES AFTER PLANTING. 119

Some remarkably fine Bartletts, and handsome
specimens of other varieties, having attracted atten-
tion, they were found to have been raised by a black-
smith of ISTewtown, Long Island, from trees that
received the refuse of his forge.

At the Exhibition of the Massachusetts Horticultural
Society, 185T, which was pronounced by Europeans
superior in its show of pears to any which could be
made in Europe, the collection of Mr. BACON was
awarded the highest premium for the ten best varieties.
These pears, the most beautiful in color, regular in
shape, and the largest in size of their respective vari-
eties, were grown over a salt marsh which had been
filled three or four feet. I ascertained, on inquiry, that
several other gardens, which occupied similar posi-
tions, were remarkable for the fine pears grown upon
them. The Napoleon, Soldat Laboureur, and other
new varieties, that have generally proved but second-
rate, have been produced of the very highest quality,
when the trees had been liberally treated to super-
phosphate of lime.

Dr. LINDLEY, author of a treatise on "Vegetable
Physiology," and a nurseryman of great experience in
England, strongly recommends the use of superphos-
phate of lime for newly-planted trees, as it excites the
rapid formation of fibrous roots, and thus provides for
supplying the great waste of fluids, which is carried
on with such rapidity from the leaves and branches.

These facts, even if they teach us nothing positive,
certainly indicate the direction in which our invest-
igations should be pursued.

120 SELECTING, PLANTING,

INVIGORATING OLD TREES.

The cause of the want of vigor, slow growth, often
of entire cessation of increase in pear trees of con-
siderable size, is generally the exhaustion of the soil
within the range of their roots ; the whole energy of
the trees being devoted to sustaining the fruit buds and
spurs, no wood growth can be made while this exhaust-
ive fruit production proceeds. There is also an entire
suspension of the absorptive and perspiratory func-
tions of the bark caused by the incrustation of dead
bark, moss, and fungi that cover the tree. The aged
roots have lost their radicles, and do not possess the
power to push out spongioles into new and unex-
hausted soil.

These conditions suggest at once the remedy. A
trench should be dug around the tree, at about as many
feet distant from it as there are inches in the diameter
of the trunk, though rarely farther than six or eight
feet. This trench should be at least two or three feet
wide, and as deep as the roots penetrate, the latter
being pruned off with a smooth cut. The sods around
the trees should be pared off to the depth of four or
five inches, and mixed with manure to fill the trench,
and a good generous compost of new earth and barn-
yard manure should be put around the tree in place
of the sods removed. The old and feeble branches
having only fruit spurs, should be shortened in such a
manner as to form a handsome top. The rough fun-
gus bark should be gently scraped away, care being
taken not to expose the vital bark beneath. A better
method is to wash with strong soap-suds or potash

GKAFTING LAKGE TKEES. 121

water ; the old bark will be loosened and pushed off
by the new formation of bark beneath.

If the tree is of an inferior or wild variety, the
smaller branches may be filled with grafts, of which a
large number should be set, in order not to prune the
tree too severely, and also to furnish it as soon as pos-
sible with new respiratory organs.

GRAFTING LAKGE TKEES.

It is a very common result of grafting large trees,
that after producing an apparently vigorous growth
for two or three years, they exhibit tokens of disease,
and finally die.

There is little doubt that this is the result of too
great an interference with the structure of the tree, by
cutting away nearly all the top in a single season, for
the purpose of grafting. The roots prepared by a
vigorous top, with an abundance of rich condensed
sap, are, in their turn, ready to offer a copious supply
to the top, for elaboration, and oxygenizing by the
leaves.

Thrown back or suspended in the structure of the
tree by this severe pruning, the sap becomes condensed
by evaporation, and remains clogging and suffocating
the vital energies of the tree, which makes strenuous
efforts to supply itself with the organs of respiration.

The true method of grafting trees more than five or
six years old is, to remove not more than one-third to
one-half of the top in one season, and set a very large
number of grafts in the limbs, or to dig a trench about
the tree, and thus shorten the roots to prevent too large
a supply of sap.

PAKT IV.— THE PEAK UPON THE QUINCE
STOCK.

OFFICE OF THE QUINCE.

THE office of the Quince, in its association with the
pear tree, does not seem to have been generally con-
sidered. It is the only one of our fruit-trees which is
readily propagated from layers or cuttings. Of one
thousand cuttings of other species of fruit-trees,
planted in the ordinary manner, but a very few
would strike root, while of the same number of the
Quince, but very few would fail to grow. The por-
tion o£ quince on a quince-rooted pear tree, which
has hitherto served as trunk, will, if covered with soil,
in a few days, throw out rootlets, and thenceforth per-
form the office of root to the tree it supports. It seems
therefore, incredible, that with these facts in view,
intelligent cultivators should have failed to provide
the conditions for the Quince to fulfill its office.

By planting so deeply that the Quince is entirely
beneath the ground, all the objections to its use in
propagating the Pear are overcome. The principal
of these objections are : First, that the Pear grown on
the Quince is short-lived. Second, that the trees often
break at the junction, from imperfect union. Third,
they are always of small size. Fourth, that the Peai
( 122 )

CAUSES OF FAILURE. 123

outgrows the Quince, and produces a deformity. All
these difficulties have been remedied, or avoided
altogether, by planting so deeply that the Quince is
entirely beneath the ground, for the office of the Quince
is entirely as a root, and never as a trunk.

CAUSES OF THE FAILURE OF THE PEAR ON THE QUINCE.

The introduction of new plants, or of novel modes
of cultivating old ones, is always attended with many
failures, arising from insufficient knowledge of the
conditions necessary to the success of the experiments.

The value of the Quince as a stock for the Pear has
been a subject of much dispute ; but candid observers,
aiming only at the exact truth, have settled into the
conviction, that its failure for this purpose has pro-
ceeded in every instance from some neglect of the
necessary conditions of its growth. The causes of
failure may be summed up as follows :

First — In the heat of the first demand for pear trees
upon quince stocks, many thousands of the common
or Portugal Quince were used. This variety is entirely
unfitted for this purpose, by its slow growth, and
slight assimilation with the Pear, and the small size it
attains.

Second — All the varieties of pear were at first indis-
criminately grown on the Quince, without regard to
their fitness. But it is now well ascertained that only
a limited number of our finer pears are entirely
adapted to the Quince.

Third — The office of the Quince in the double tree
being wholly mistaken, it was planted as it stood in
fhe nursery, often with the junction of the two species

124 THE PEAR UPON THE QUINCE STOCK.

from three to eight inches above the soil ; and in ad-
dition to this mischievous practice, the tree was not
unfrequently trimmed up as a standard. This method
of pruning gave the top, when large, a great lever
power at the ground ; and the trees, unable to resist
the force of the wind, often parted at the junction of
the bud with the stock. If the tree survived, it was
often a monstrosity of growth, the pear swelling out
to twice the diameter of the quince.

ADVANTAGES OF THE QUINCE AS A STOCK.

The conditions and advantages of the use of quince
stocks, have been so fairly and clearly set forth in a
communication of ME. Louis BERCKMANS to The Agri-
culturist•, that I shall insert it h§re. MK. BERCKMANS
has devoted a life of great activity and intelligence
to experiments upon the Pear — enjoying the personal
acquaintance of those gentlemen, both in Europe and
America, whose names will always be associated with
its culture. His collection is large, and embraces
selections from the best seedlings of YAN MONS, Es-
PERIN, BIVORT, and others. His great experience
entitles his testimony to the highest consideration.

In answer to the vexed question — Will pears budded
on the Quince succeed ? — MR. BERCKMANS says : " I
have no hesitation in saying : < Yes, they will ;' and often
better than on pear stocks, and they are less subject to
blight. I know that I do not agree with the opinions
of my late friends YAN MONS and ESPKUIX, who never
would admit a quince stock in their experimental
gardens. I respect their memory, but cannot help
considering their opinion as a prejudice. They had

ADVANTAGES OF THE QUINCE AS A STOCK. 125

not found the good quince stock, and, perhaps, did not
know how to plant quince-grafted trees. Unless the
proper quince stock be used, no good result need be
expected. I have seen some singular mistakes in
publications, for want of proper attention paid to the
question, whether trees had "been budded upon the An-
gers, or upon the indigenous quince, the latter being
very inferior, if not worthless. The quince stock for
7iurseries is produced from the twigs or branches
heeled or laid in before winter, and planted early in
the spring. This operation succeeds better in damp
and cool climates, and in sandy soils, than in this part
of the United States. Therefore, most of those plants
are imported (chiefly from France), although they
can be produced here, with proper care, in soils fitted
for them.

" At present, my best trees are on the Quince ; and
my best fruit also. Those who would successfully
cultivate the dwarfs must pay attention to the follow-
ing rules :

" 1. Have -a good, substantial, rather deep soil, with
porous or drained subsoil.

2. Select the good Angers or Orleans Quince for
stock.

" 3. Plant no other varieties than those which suc-
ceed on the Quince.

" 4. Plant the trees deep enough, so that the place
where they have been budded shall be at least three
inches below the surface of the soil. In rolling ground,
cover with stones, or damp mould, so as to prevent
the washing away of the light soil.

" 5. Keep the weeds down.

126 THE PEAR UPON THE QUINCE STOCK.

" 6. Keep the branches low, and make a pyramidal
tree, by judicious pruning once or twice a year. A tree
with a heavy, high top, must not be upon the Quince.
Levels or gentle slopes are better than hills or rolling
ground.

" It is a fortunate circumstance that most of the best
market varieties are also best suited to the quince
stock. Yery often the grafted tree, when placed in
silicious (sandy) soil or loam, forms its own roots just
where it has been budded ; and then, with the steadi-
ness of the pear stock, it retains the fertility of the
Quince.

" Much has been said about the short-living of the
quince stock. If properly planted in genial soil, which
is not exhausted or impoverished by intervening field
crops without a reasonable supply of manure, as most
of our apple orchards are ; if free from ill weeds and
shrubs, and other drawbacks, the quince-grafted tree
will thrive for fifty years or more. Some actual facts
will prove what I state. Hon. M. P. WILDER has in
his garden, in Dorchester, trees which he bought from
the widow of Mr. PARMENTIER, Long Island, some
twenty years ago. They have yielded fine crops
almost every year. Some have been regrafted with
new varieties ; one of them with Beurre Clairgeau,
which bore this year between one and two bushels
of the finest and largest pears. These trees look
healthy, despite all their mutilations, and there is
no reason to anticipate a diminution of growth or
crops. These trees are on the Quince, but they have
been planted by a man who knows how to manage
trees.

ADVANTAGES OF THE QUINCE AS A STOCK. 127

" In the same garden are some fine Urbaniste trees — -
a part on the Pear, and a part on the Quince — planted
in the same spot, in the same year. Those on the pear
roots are now beginning to bear fruit sparingly,
while the others, on quince, have yielded bushels of
fruit for the last seven years, and are actually loaded
with a splendid crop. All are equally healthy ; but,
those on pear stocks, not having exhausted part of
their vigor in the best marketable produce .for years
back, are rather more vigorous. By thinning the crop
early, so as to make it moderate, those pyramids may
be easily brought up to the full vigor of their unpro-
ductive neighbors. Now comes the important ques-
tion:

" ' Will quince roots do for orchards T

For orchards, as we find them on most of our farms,
a promenade ground for cattle, a dreary waste of ill
weeds, badly cultivated and shallow soil, stagnant
water, injudicious selection of varieties, and more
injudicious pruning with axes or dull chopping-knives
— no, sir ! No fruit-tree of a refined class, no tree
of any value, will do in such conditions. One half
of the trouble, manure, and labor, which a poor vine-
yard requires in France, would make a thrifty pear
orchard, and would certainly pay better.

"Let us look at some fine nurseries (schools) or
orchards where specimen trees are cultivated with
care, and in proper soil and localities, and facts (those
stubborn) things will soon bring conviction in the place
of doubts.

" Messrs. ELWANGER & BERRY, and others, in Koches-
ter ; Mr. WILDER and Mr. HOVEY, near Boston ; CHAS.

128 THE PEAR UPON THE QUINCE STOCK.

DOWNING, inlSTewburg ; Dr. GRANT, near Peekskill ; Mr.
REID, Elizabethtown, ]N. J. ; and many others, cultivate
the Pear on the quince stock with the best results.
At Mr. Chas. DOWNING'S, where every fruit and flower
is cultivated in perfection, the surface of the ground
in the dwarf orchards is covered with straw, refuse
hay, &c., and no care nor cultivation is required ; no
weeds find their way through that carpet, renewed or
supplied with new straw or brush every two or three
years. Mr. DOWNING seems to be perfectly satisfied
with his system, and indeed he must be.

" In conclusion, let me say, that when one expects to
reap the fruit of industry, he needs to give the proper
attention to it ; if he expects a fruit-tree to yield crops
of the most refined fruit, and to grow as a maple or a
cedar in the woods, he is badly mistaken. The old
saying, that " a tree must take care of itself," is non-
sense, when applied to fruit-trees of improved kinds.
It would do as well to plant dahlias or prairie roses
in a swamp, or among thistles and briars.

" He who wants large crops of pears, indifferent in
size or quality, may plant all his trees on the pear
stock, in deep soil ; but he has to wait from ten to
fifteen years. If you want large, fine fruit, which, in
fact, pays better, with less trouble and expense, select
your varieties on the Quince. These will often bear
the first year, and always the third or fourth from their
planting. If I had thirty trees to plant, twenty should
be on the Quince, the balance on pear stock.

" Some varieties will not grow upon the Quince, but
even these do well double worked — that is, budded or
grafted upon a variety worked already upon the

ADVAJSTAGES OF THE QUINCE AS A STOCK. 129

Quince and succeeding upon it. The French call it
intermediary grafting.

" In planting orchards, the same care and the same
digging is required for a standard as for a quince
stock, but how different the result ? Ask Mr. HOVEY,
and others around Boston, from which they derive
their largest profits. They all agree that the quince
root has paid the soil, the expenses, tree and all, long
before a pear stock has shown any sign of bearing.

" Below is, according to my own and my friends'
'experience, a list of varieties which will do for the
market, till new and as good varieties can be added.
We must consider that the introduction of new varie-
ties of fruit into the market is not an easy thing.
Those named below are also the best adapted to the
most of the States between thirty and forty degrees of
north latitude.

" I. — VARIETIES OF PEARS WHICH DO WELL ON THE PEAR STOCK, OR WHEN

DOUBLE WORKED.

" Those marked a do not succeed well on quince
stocks. Those marked ~b do bear as early and as well
as others on the Quince. They are arranged accord-
ing to their value for general cultivation, market pur-
poses, &c :

a. Lawrence (often good on Quince)

— Nov., Dec.
a. Heathcot — Sept.
a. Onondaga — Oct.
a. Kingsessing — Sept.

a. Pratt — Sept. Oct.
— Philadelphia— Sept.

b. Buffum— Sept., Oct.

b. Bartlett— Sept.
6. Madeleine — Aug.

a. Seckle, (sometimes does well on

Quince.)

b. Beurre Clairgeau — Oct., Nov.
a. Columbia — Nov.

a. Dix — Dec.

a. Doyenne Boussock — Sept.

And many others. The above are all good-lookmg
fruits, and of course will sell readily.

6*

130 THE PEAR UPON THE QUINCE STOCK.

"II. — VARIETIES ADAPTED TO THE QUINCE STOCK, WHICH ALSO DO WELL

ON THE PEAR STOCK.

Louise Bonne de Jersey — Sept.,

Oct.

Duchesse d'Angouleme — Oct., Nov.
Beurre Diel— Oct., Nov.
Vicar of Winkfield— winter.
Urbaniste — Oct. Nov.
Beurre Superfin — Oct.
Beurre Hardy (or Sterckman) —

Sept.

Glout Morceau — winter."

Abbott — Sept.

Belle Epine Dumas — Dec., Jan,
Beurre d'Anjou — Oct., Nov.
Flemish Beauty — Sept.
Andrews — Sept.
Kirkland's Seckle— Sept.
Brandy wine — Sept.
Steven's Genesee— Sept.
Doyenne d'Alen§on — winter.

We think nothing can be more' conclusive with
regard to this question than the testimony of various
individuals of note in the cultivation of fruit ; among
whom none rank higher than MARSHALL P. WILDER,
whose views are expressed in the following remarks,
given at length : " An impression has extensively
prevailed unfavorable to the cultivation of the Pear
on the Quince. This has arisen principally from an
improper selection of kinds, or from injudicious cul-
tivation. There are, however, three considerations
which are absolutely necessary to success, viz., a
deep, rich soil, the planting of the quince stock
entirely below the surface of the ground, and a sys-
tematic and scientific course of pruning, as the tree
progresses in growth.

" Objections to this species of cultivation have been
made from the belief that the Quince was a short-lived
tree, and that the crop must necessarily be small from
what are termed dwarf-trees. Such, however, has
not been my experience. On the contrary, I have
pear trees on the quince root which are tiventy-five
years old, and which produce annually a barrel or

ADVANTAGES OF THE QUINCE AS A STOCK. 131

more of fruit each ; and for aught that I can see, they
are destined to survive as long as any that I possess
on the pear root. These may, and probably have, in
some instances, thrown out roots from the pear stock,
but whether this be so, or not, instances are not rare
where such trees have attained in France the age of
more than a hundred years ; and we know of a quince
tree in Massachusetts which is forty years old, and
which has produced ten bushels of fruit in a season.

"The Pear, when grown on the Quince, should
always be trained in the pyramidal form. These may
be planted much closer than when grown as stan-
dards. We have known them to succeed well where
grown at the distance of six feet apart in the rows,
and twelve feet between the rows. In this way Mr.
KrvEKS, the great English cultivator, planted 2,500
of the Louise Bonne de Jersey, and 1,500 Glout Mor-
ceau for the London market. We consider twelve
feet apart, each way, a liberal distance. This would
give 302 trees to the acre ; and we are clearly of the
opinion, that soil and selection of varieties being right,
no crop whatever would be more profitable. Such a
plantation, with proper care, would yield, in the fifth
year, from seventy-five to one hundred bushels of
fine fruit. As to profit, this will not appear as an
exaggeration, when it is known that Glout Morceau.
pears, a variety which succeeds admirably on the
Quince, have sold, during the winter, readily at one to
two dollars per dozen.

" We name as varieties which succeed well on the
Quince the following, and to which might be added
many more :

132 THE PEAK UPON THE QUINCE STOCK.

"Louise Bonne de Jersey, Vicar of Winkfield,
Duchesse d'Angouleme, Glout Morceau, Passe Colmar,
Urbaniste, Belle et Bonne, Beurre d'Anjou, Beurre
Diel, Easter Beurre, Beurre d'Amalis."

Tlie following, from the same gentleman, in answer
to the published skepticism of a cultivator regarding
the permanency of the quince stock, effectually dis-
poses of his objections : " I have, in my grounds,
many primitive pear trees from ten to seventeen feet in
height, with trunks twenty-seven inches in circumfer-
ence, and branching at the base from ten to twelve feet ;
hundreds of these trees are from twelve to fifteen
years of age — they have borne regular crops from the
third or fourth year after planting, and in some
instances I have gathered from the aforesaid trees,
* not five or six beautiful pears,' only, but from one
bushel to one barrel per tree. I do further aver,
that these trees were originally upon the quince
stock — that some of them remain in that condition
now, but that most of them have rooted from the
pear stock.

" That there may be no misunderstanding of terms,
let it be remembered, that when I speak of dwarf
pear trees, a term which I did not use in the quota-
tion cited, it is in contradistinction to those which are
on the pear root ; for we of Massachusetts do not
allow pear trees, even those on the Quince, to remain
dwarfs or c monkeys.' No, no, Mr. STOMS, we do not
only make our pear trees grow, even on the Quince,
into beautiful, large pyramids, but we make them
bear five to seven, years earlier on the quince than
they would on the pear stock. And, a? to planting

ADVANTAGES OF THE QUINCE AS A STOCK. 133

deeply, so as to allow the pear stock to root, it is no
< new tiling with the intelligent Colonel,' for he has
always practiced this system — a fact well known to
his Ohio friends, and to every one who has visited his
grounds.

" Mr. STOMS asks : ' Why graft on the quince stock
at all?'

" Answer : To obtain c early fruiting,' and the
pleasure and profit of regular crops, for many years,
before the trees would produce fruit on their own
stock.

" Again, he inquires : ' Will the Pear, under the
circumstances he (Mr. WILDER) describes, (that is,
rooting from the pear stock) continue to be a dwarf?

" Answer : JSTo ; nor do we desire that it should ;
for, having commenced fruiting and furnished itself
with fruit-spurs, it will continue to bear, whether on
the pear or quince root, or on both ; and, as to i longe-
vity,' it is generally admitted that the more roots a
tree has, the greater will be its strength, and the
longer its duration of life.

" Hence we plant the tree deep enough to allow it
to root from the pear stock, and thus we kept the
quince stock soft and emollient, also, causing it to
swell evenly with the pear, and to emit roots through-
out its stem, which it will do, if kept below the sur-
face of the soil.

" Mr. STOMS farther says : £ When the friends of
dwarf pear tree culture shall come forward, and, with
4 bill of particulars,' show me an orchard of five hun-
dred dwarf pear trees, that have been ten years

134 THE PEAR UPON THE QUINCE STOCK.

planted, which have borne fruit successfully and paid
cost, I will give up the contest.'

" I will then take him to my neighbor, AUSTIN'S,
the Treasurer of the Massachusetts Horticultural
Society, who has Jive hundred and ten pear trees. All
these are on the quince root, with the exception of
one or two dozen, which are on the pear root ; but as
these latter have borne but little fruit, Mr. S. will not
object to their being coifnted in the lot. These trees
are from eleven to thirteen years of age. One hun-
dred of them are Louise Ronne de Jerseys. These
trees commenced about three years after planting,
have borne regular and abundant crops ever since,
and are now in a very vigorous and healthy condition.
~No account of the crops were kept until the year
1851, but Mr. AUSTIN has kindly furnished me with
the amount of his sales since that date. The total
sales, for six years, were $3,408.76. The original cost
of these trees was about fifty cents each, or $250.
Mr. AUSTIN is a merchant, and goes to the city every
day, and the only help he has had, is. the service of a
man who takes care of his stables and grounds. He
has, however, given them his personal attention, and
good cultivation : but, I think, without further estima-
tion of ' cost] we may reasonably conclude that these
lfive hundred trees ' have < 'borne successfully, and
paid cost.'

"We will then take a ride over to the M
HOVEY, where we shall find a much larger number of
pear trees on the quince root. Their beautiful avenues
are lined with them, some of which are from fifteen
to twenty years of age ; but as it will occupy, perhaps,

DWARF PEAKS. 135

too much time to examine all of them, we will take
one walk as an example. How delighted Mr. S. must
be to see 220 pear trees, 110 on each side, loaded with
their luscious fruit, only eight or nine years planted,
and all independently on the quince root. The pro-
duct of those trees, in 1855, was twenty barrels — in
1856, twenty-five barrels. The highest price obtained
was twenty dollars per barrel, the lowest eight dollars.
Then we can call on Mr. STICKNET, and look at his
' dwarf* pear trees. "We shall see some magnificent
specimens of Urbanistes and Louise Bonne de Jerseys.
The crop of the latter he sold the last season at ten
dollars per bushel. Then we will go to Mr. MAN-
NING'S, who has some pear trees on the Quince of very
large size, being from thirty to forty years old, and
which ' still live,' and produce annual crops. Then
we will pursue our journey on, and call on Mr. CABOT,
the President of the Massachusetts Horticultural
Society, Messrs. BACON, DOWNEK, RICHARDSON, JOHN-
SON, and others, who have splendid collections of
'dwarf' pear trees which Jiave been 'planted ten
years' J!

Mr. K. BUIST, of Philadelphia, one of the most
candid and reliable men, has published the following
on

DWARF PEARS.

" This term has led to the impression that all trees
are dwarfs that are grafted on the quince stock ; we
do not incline to this term, from the fact that we cul-
tivated dwarf pears before we knew of the effects of
the Pear on the Quince, and also from the fact that we
now have very fine standard trees, with stems six and

136 THE PEAK UPON THE QUINCE STOCK.

seven feet clear, that are on the quince stock. The
Pear, Apple, Quince, Hawthorn, and Mountain Ash, all
belong to the same class and order, and will grow if
grafted on each other ; they do not all, however, assi-
milate well with each other, for we find that there are
some Apples that will not grow on the Pear, and vice
versa; there are also Pears, and not a few, that will
not grow on the Quince ; others that grow well, but
their fruits are inferior ; whilst again many are greatly
improved on the Quince. "We now say that the Pear,
to be successful on the quince stock, must be very
highly cultivated with enriching manures of almost
any description, incorporated with the surface-soil,
and frequently stirred during the growing season,
repeating the enriching material, and thorough culture,
every season. They can be planted from ten to fifteen
feet apart, and will, with such treatment, give a very
abundant crop, even a bushel from a tree only a few
years planted. This is not, however, the only atten-
tion they require — they must have a summer pruning
and a winter pruning, which you shall have in another
chapter.

Again, the quince stock is a very general term ;
there is a vast difference in the kind of Quince, and
it is now very strange that all the pears on the Quince,
whether worked thereon the past year or ten years,
are on what has recently been called to the peculiar
benefit of some, the Angers Quince. Certain it is,
that there is a variety aptly adapted to the vigor of
the Pear, more generally known to the experienced
eye by its growth as that variety ; and we think it is
the variety only that demands particular notice. The

DWAKF PEAKS. 137

growth is clean and luxuriant, bark smooth and free,
making shoots six feet high in a season, readily pro-
pagated from cuttings, and even budded the first
season.

Every cutting, therefore, of that variety, should
be carefully planted, on which you may grow either
dwarf or standards-) with this result that the sorts of
Pear worked thereon will come into bearing in two
or three years, and continue productive for many
years, say half a century, and be more ivQQfrom blight
than if on the pear stock, wThich roots deep, descends
into the cold ground perpendicularly, predisposes the
tree to blight during summer, and if not blight, pro
duces a redundancy of wood almost beyond practical
management, and not at all adapted for gardens.
Another point in favor of the quince stock I might
refer to, is the certainty of its growth after being re-
moved and conveyed to a distance, the many fibres
close to the bole of the tree rendering its growth
almost certain, at least, forty-nine out of fifty. The
Pear on its own stock makes few fibres, and is more
precarious in removal and carriage ; this is again par-
tially under control by frequent removals in the nur-
sery, when the trees are young, which checks their
growth of wood, produces early fruiting properties,
so that we hope to live to see dwarf fruiting pears on
the pear stock as eagerly sought for as those now on
the Angers Quince — you will please make a note of
this assertion."

The following from Mr. HOVEY, author of " Fruits
of America," will be of interest to pomologists:
" The cultivation of the Pear on the Quince is of such

138 THE PEAK UPON THE QUINCE STOCK.

•

an ancient date, and has been so long and so suc-
cessfully practiced in that great pear-growing country,
France, that it appears somewhat absurd to see it
attacked at this late day, as it has been by individuals
who, either from want of experience or other causes,
have not succeeded well in its cultivation on this
stock, and hence would deny to a great portion of our
community, for a series of years, so delicious a fruit
as the Pear ; for in no way can it be obtained in any
abundance, for half a generation after planting, except
upon the Quince.

An intelligent correspondent has shown the fal-
lacy of the arguments made use of to disparage the
quince stock, and it would be useless to go over the
ground again. As he has truly said : " Let gentlemen
botanists have their own way in disputing. On we
shall go, reaping an abundance of fruit while they
are cavilling in regard to a fact long ago established
by the experience of men, not mere tyros in the work,
but those who have made the question a study for life."

RULES FOR GROWING THE PEAR ON THE QUINCE.

From these just and lucid statements of distin
guished horticulturists, it is easy to learn that the
requisites for successfully cultivating the Pear on the
Quince are :

1. That the pear should be budded on the Angers
Quince, a free-growing variety — a tree rather than ;i
shrub, like the Portugal Quince. Several specimens
of this variety, on my grounds, have grown, in two
seasons, seven feet in height, and one inch and a
quarter in diameter.

BOOTING OF THE PEAJt. 139

2. That only the right kinds of Pear should be grown
on the Quince.

3. That the Quince should be considered in this
compound tree, only as a root, and never as a trunk
or stem ; and, therefore, should be planted entirely
below the soil.

4. That the tree should be trained low, in the
pyramid shape.

5. That weeds and grass, and, of course, the grains,
must not be permitted to grow among the trees — •
as they would interfere with the development of the
lower limbs, and abstract the nourishment that should
go to the tree.

6. That the soil should be kept in good condition,
well manured, well cultivated, and dry.

The violation of these rules has, without doubt,
been the cause of all the failures of the Pear on the
Quince.

ROOTING- OF THE PEAR ON QUINCE STOCKS.

It is very difficult to induce the Pear to form roots
from cuttings or layers, under the ordinary circum-
stances attending such propagation. Most varieties
of the Pear, however, when budded on the Quince,
and planted with the junction from two to four inches
below the surface, exhibit a great tendency to throw
out roots from the pear wood above the junction.

MR. WILDER, and some other horticulturists, believe
this to indicate a natural repugnance in those varieties
to the Quince ; but my own experience does not confirm
this. Of a considerable number of Bartletts removed
after being three years planted in the fruit-ground,

14:0 THE PEAK TTPOX THE QUINCE STOCK.

not more than half a dozen had rooted, and these
very feebly ; while it is well known that this variety
succeeds only indifferently upon the Quince. Other
facts, however, do tend to confirm this theory. I have
seldom found the Duchesse exhibiting any tendency
to throw out roots. While of several hundred of
other varieties, five or six years old, removed at the
same time with the Bartletts above-mentioned, more
than half had rooted from the pear wood, and the
character of the roots was somewhat striking. When
a wild or seedling pear is budded and planted in the
fruit grounds, its tendency to form long, straggling
roots, almost destitute of fibres, unless root-pruned or
retransplanted, is well-known ; but every one of the
roots from the pear wood above the quince stock of
these trees, was provided with such masses of fibres,
that it was nearly impossible to free them from the
adhering soil. Remarkable as is this faculty of fibrous
rooting of the Quince, it is much more surprising in
the Pear, when grown on the quince stock. Many
roots, three or four feet long will be found, fringed
with fibres throughout their entire length, and in such
masses as to render it necessary to greatly thin them,
when reset in the ground, to allow them to be sepa-
rated by particles of soil. In some cases, I have found
the quince root entirely superseded and cast off. In
others, the double root seemed to be in perfect har-
mony, and botli parts thrifty and vigorous. In most
cases the pear root hud been formed on one side of
the tree, and rapidly radiating and swelling at the
junction, had usurped the entire ground, and held the
tree firmly and strongly in the soil. To test the fact

ROOTING OF THE PEAR. 141

of the rooting of the Pear above the Quince, it is only
necessary to seize the tree by the body three or four
feet above the ground, and shake it slowly, and if
pear-rooted, the superior firmness will be readily per-
ceived. The wood-growth and foliage of all trees,
throwing out roots above the quince stock, will be
found to be more vigorous, but the production of fruit
will be considerably delayed. If a strong, vigorous
shoot or sucker grows up from near the ground, or if
the branches are much more strongly developed on
one side, it is quite certain that the Pear has rooted.
I am often asked, if the tree roots from the Pear, what
advantage is gained by growing upon the Quince ?

This query may be answered by a statement of the
following facts :

First. Many of the varieties budded on the Quince
do not obtain pear roots sufficient to support the
tree before the sixth or eighth year, and the trees,
in the mean time, have borne fruit three or four
years, while if budded on the pear stock, few of them
would have yielded fruit in less than eight or twelve
years.

Second. The greater vitality of the Quince root has
preserved life in a large per-centage of the trees,
which, under ordinary care, would have perished if
budded on pear roots. The ratio of loss by trans-
planting healthy trees on quince roots, with but
moderate care, is not more than one per cent, while
that of pear trees on pear roots, is much greater.
After the pear roots form above the Quince, the tree
is (from causes which will be hereafter investigated) so
much better furnished with fibres, that it will endure

142 THE PEAR UPON THE QUINCE STOCK.

transplanting and root pruning better, and also con-
tinue much longer its growth and fruiting.

Third. The quince root has so governed the growth
of the tree, that it is much less difficult to reduce it
to pyramidal shape ; for it has been proved by expe-
rience, that the character of the roots determines that
of the top. Long, straggling roots, not provided with
fibres, are productive of long, vigorous, and unmanage-
able shoots, destitute of lateral branches. A long
tap-root sends up a vigorous leader, while the fibrous
quince roots provide the tree with fruit-spurs and
short, stout branches. The Pear on a pear stock is
not easily reduced to a pyramidal shape after the
first year, without root pruning, for when the leader
is pruned, the terminal bud shoots with great vigor,
and another leader is formed while the lower branches
continue weak and feeble.

Fourth. Most of the varieties which are superior
in size and flavor on the Quince, or which unite firmly
with it, and prove well adapted to it, as the Duchesse
d'Angouleme and Louise Bonne de Jersey, seldom
throw out roots from the pear wood- In those
varieties which throw out pear roots, it has been
seen that the latter are more fibrous than upon
seedlings. This is, doubtless, the result of the more
refined and cultivated condition of the grafted wood,
which, instead of the rank characteristic of a seedling,
makes the clean, stocky shoots of a more highly
developed tree. So the finer varieties of pears,
instead of the long naked roots of the wildling, pro-
vide themselves with fibrous radicles better fitted to
furnish them their proper food.

HOW TO PRODUCE PEAR ROOTING. 143

This fact has tended to confirm horticulturists in
the belief in the necesity of an adaptation of the
graft to the stock. If this theory is correct, what
roots can be better adapted to the demands of the
graft than those put forth by the graft itself. From
these facts, it may be seen that if any pear-grower is
deficient in faith in the durability of quince stocks,
he can insure the longevity of his trees by planting
them sufficiently deep to produce pear roots.

HOW TO PRODUCE PEAR ROOTING.

When the leaves ripen in early September, the sap
has assumed that albuminous and ripened condition
which fits it for forming new spongioles and root-
lets. If, prior to this condition, several incisions are
made in the pear bark and wood, just at the swell-
ing of the graft, by pushing a small gouge upwards,
so as to form tongues or strips an inch long, hang-
ing by their upper ends ; the sap, checked in its
downward flow, will soon cover the incision with
a soft, white, albuminous substance, which, if well
covered with firmly packed earth, will soon form root-
lets, that, before the ensuing winter, will be in a
vigorous condition. It is well to place a small pebble
between the tongue and trunk to prevent adhesion.
The production of these roots is due to the same influ-
ence which causes the union of the bud with the
stock when inserted at the same season. The sap, in
its downward flow, depositing the mucus that would
have hardened into bark and wood, is, by the check,
diverted to the formation of rootlets and fibres which
will, the next year, provide food for growth or fruit.

144 THE PEAR UPON THE QUINCE STOCK.

It does not seem to have been considered by horticul-
turists, that the absorbing powers are not retained by
spongioles and rootlets much longer than a single
season, and that they need constant renewal. When
the hardening of these spongioles takes place, they
are no longer capable of affording a supply of nutri-
ment proportionate to the wants of the tree. Most
tree culturists will have noticed that the fibres and
spongioles are not found on the larger and older roots,
but that, having fulfilled their office, they decay, as
Nature never supports useless organs.

What will be the effect of pear-rooting upon those
varieties that are so much superior upon the Quince,
must be determined by more experience than we
possess at present. There is but little doubt, however,
that the pear-rooting of such varieties as are gritty or
astringent on pear stocks is to be avoided.

The Duchesse d'Angouleme, which is not often first-
rate on pear roots, because of its hard lumpy flesh and
gritty core, and the Louise Bonne de Jersey and Beurre'
Diel, which are often astringent and bitter, 011 the
same stock, can hardly be allowed to root from the
pear wood. This may be prevented when necessary,
by planting more shallow, leaving the pear-wood but
little below the surface.

DOUBLE WORKING.

It is often desirable to improve the texture and
flavor of some varieties of pears, by growing them
upon the Quince, although they have proved iinadapted
to it. The desired effect is obtained by double work-
ing— as it is the roots, the providers of nourishment,

DOUBLE WORKING. 145

that govern to a great extent these characteristics in the
fruit. Any free-growing varieties may be budded on
the Quince, for the purpose of double working, although
some care should be taken to obtain such as harmon-
ize with the Quince. The Yirgalieu and the Buffam
are the best, although not the most vigorous growers ;
yet most pears grow well, when propagated upon
them.

The Beurre d'Amalis and Soldat Laboureur, are
very vigorous growers, and make good stocks for
double working. There are such obvious advantages
in double working, that it seems almost superfluous
to mention them, yet that nothing may be omitted to
secure success, we present them in a concise form :

1. Pears that refuse to grow, or grow but feebly,
or are short-lived upon the Quince, but are coarse,
gritty, or small sized, when grown upon the pear
stock, like the Beurre d'Aremberg, often become first-
rate by double working.

2. Varieties that are so tardy in bearing upon the
pear stock as to exhaust the patience and faith of the
grower, yet will not harmonize directly with the
Quince, will, by double working, come early into bear-
ing. The Dix and Seckel are examples of this.

3. Grafting, which cannot be practiced with suc-
cess directly on the Quince, may be performed on the
Pear portion of the stock.

4. Some varieties that bear quite early on the pear
stock, but are of comparatively slow growth, are pro-
duced in greater vigor upon the double stock, in con-
sequence of the increased vigor acquired from the
strong growing variety first worked upon the Quince.

7

146 THE PEAR UPON THE QUINCE STOCK.

VARIETIES FOR DOUBLE WORKING.

The following varieties, which have proved averse
to the Quince, will, by double working, bear fruit
improved in texture, size, and flavor :

JSeurre cPAremberg — coarse, woody, and gritty, on
pear roots, and a feeble, diseased grower, directly on
the Quince.

Napoleon — often scarred and spotted on the Pear,
but frequently handsome and smooth upon a double-
worked tree.

Bartlett — although fine when grown on the pear
stock, is much improved on the Quince.

JBeurre Clairgeau — coarse on pear roots, somewhat
averse to the Quince, but nearly first-rate upon double-
worked trees.

The following varieties, that are tardy in bearing,
are but moderately improved by the Quince in quality,
and are propagated with difficulty upon that stock,
but may be profitably grown by double working :

Beurre Bosc, Dix, Seckel, Tyson, Andrews, Fulton,
Lawrence, Winter Nelis, Marie Louise, Beurre Kance,
St. Michael Archange, Columbia.

PAET Y.—

ADVANTAGES OF A PYRAMIDAL FOEM FOE PEAE TEEE8,
BOTH ON QUINCE AND PEAE STOCKS.

THE advantages which seem to be gained by a
pyramidal growth in the pear tree, more especially,
are:

1. There is no violent interference with the natural
structure of the tree, but we rather aid it to attain
this form more perfectly ; that is, we do not by
crowding it in the nursery rows, or by cutting with
the pruning-knife, deprive it of the natural formation
of low branches. To cut any portion of the wood, of
more than one year old, is to interfere more or less
seriously with the organism of the tree; and the
occasion for it arises from neglect to prune at the
proper time. To prevent malformation is better than
to amputate ; and to form a tree properly, we must
begin with the maiden plant.

2. Low-branched pyramids come into bearing much
sooner than trees with long trunks. The Pear, on its
own stock, trained as a standard, varies with the kind,
from eight to twenty years, in producing fruit ; but,
trained as a pyramid, its period of fruit-bearing is
lessened from four to twelve years. The Seckel and

148 PRUNING,

Urbaniste, upon pear stock, and with naked trunks,
of five or six feet, are not unfrequently fifteen years
producing their first fruit. "With low-trained pyra-
mids, and a slight attention to summer pruning or
pinching, this tedious and discouraging delay is most
certainly shortened to six or eight years. The cause
of this precocity is, that the sap, checked by the sum-
mer pinching in its flow to the terminal bad, is dis
tributed to the wood-buds below, and sufficient nutri
ment is received to mature them into fruit-buds.

A certain age of bark and cellular woody formation
of a branch is necessary before it will cause the sap
to flow slowly enough to concentrate into fruit-juice.
Now, if the earlier branches, formed near the ground,
and then, in succession, those above, are cut away,
until a naked trunk is formed, it is evident we pro*
tract the fruit-bearing period. Besides, the pruning
away of so much wood forces an over-abundance of
sap to the terminal buds, and its energies are spent in
wood-growth, at the expense of fruit-bud formation.
When, however, branches start from or near the
ground, having the same age with the trunk, fruit-
buds are formed long before they could have been on
long-trunk trees ; the sap is more evenly distributed,
wood-growth is moderately checked, and the culti-
vator's eye is early gladdened with golden fruit.

3. The size and quality of fruit is much increased
by this method of training. It has long been known,
that young trees produce larger fruit, but deficient in
flavor ; old trees produce fruit of superior taste, but
inferior in size. In the pyramid, we are able to secure
these excellences, and rid ourselves of the faults. In

PKTOHNG. 149

the low, compact form, when an excessive quantity
of fruit has set, it becomes an easy task to thin out
the overplus, and concentrate the sap in that number
which can be perfectly matured.

4. A much larger number can be planted on a
given area. Instead of forty pear trees, planted at
forty feet apart, two hundred to four hundred may,
for many years, occupy the same area, and yield their
fruit to a whole generation without crowding. It is
much easier to cut down a fruit tree that cost a few
shillings, than it is to obtain it with fifteen years' ad-
ditional growth for ten dollars. Many a man would
hesitate to plant ten acres with four hundred pear
trees, even when by pyramidal growth he could obtain
a bushel from each, at six to eight years of age, who
would gladly cover one acre with the same number,
could he be assured that they would fruit equally well.

5. Pyramidal trees, by their comparatively low
stature, are protected from high winds, and often pre-
serve their fruit when the tall tree has lost a large
portion of the crop : their limbs are much less ex-
posed to being broken by storms, or borne down by
weight of fruit — whose power is mvich increased by
growing at the end of a long branch, which acts as a
lever.

6. Pyramidal trees are less liable to wrenching
from the perpendicular, turning over by the roots, or
breaking off: having their widest diameter at or
near the ground, they offer little resistance to the
wind ; and never exhibit the distorted, leaning atti-
tudes that characterize thousands of orchards.

7. The trunk is protected by the foliage from the

150

PRUNING.

parching sun-rays, and the sap reaches its destination
just in the condition Nature provided it in the roots,
without travelling an unnecessary distance.

PRUNING TO FORM PYRAMIDS.

It is with considerable difficulty that trees in the
usual condition in which they are received from the
nursery are reduced to a pyramidal form, branching
from near the ground. If two years old from the bud,

Fig. 88.

Fig. 84.

and lateral branches should have formed, the ruthless
knife of the .nurseryman has pruned them away.
Figs. 33 and 34 are specimens of trees where some
feeble attempts have been made for the production
of a pyramid. The lower cross linos in Fig. 34 indi-
cate the vicious pruning such a tree would usually

PRUNING TO FORM PYRAMIDS. 151

receive. The other lines show the points at which
the limbs and trunk should be shortened.

Having shortened the tree shown in Fig. 33, at A,
the next effort of Nature is to effect an aeration of the
sap produced in the roots, and as there are but few
buds to expand into leaves, a large amount of sap is
thrown upon these few.

The difficulties in forming pyramids from such
trees are numerous. Unless the tree has been root-
pruned, or recently transplanted, an effect of this
severe shortening, called by horticulturists suffocation,
ensues, and a sickly growth of small shoots is the
result. Not unfrequently, several shoots start from
near the amputation in a bushy cluster, or a gour-
mand or two obstinately shoots up, absorbing all the
sap. It will now become more and more difficult to
draw out the buds below, and, after the bark is two
years old, almost impossible.

Under this treatment, we must thus commence our
pyramid with a raw amputation, that will exhibit for
years an ungainly scar, but there is nothing less severe
to be done until we have better-formed nursery trees,
and can remedy some of these evils, by commencing
the process in the first season, as shown at Fig. 35,
which has been already explained on page 99.

If the tree shown at Fig. 33 is planted iii the same
season of its shortening, but little growth, of course,
will be produced during the first year, but if per-
fectly successful in avoiding all the mishaps noted, it
will, at the end of the second year, exhibit somewhat
the appearance of Fig. 36. If more shoots should
have been produced than necessary, they must be

152

PRUNING.

thinned so as to leave the remaining ones well bal-
anced around the stem. Select one for a leader, that

Fig. 85.

Fig. 86.

as nearly as possible occupies the centre of the group,
and starts near the top. All the shoots ought now to
be shortened in such a manner as to induce a cone
shape to the tree. To effect this, the lower ones
should be cut back to six or eight inches, the next
reduced two inches more, and the next still more,
until, as we approach the leader, the side shoots must
be shortened to two or three buds. From this time,
with proper attention to summer pinching, pruning
might be almost entirely dispensed with; but as few
persons will or can bestow the requisite labor, we
shall still adapt the instructions to the ordinary con-
dition of trees.

PRUNING TO FORM PYRAMIDS.

153

By attention to former suggestions, the tree, at the
end of the third summer, may be expected to appear
as in Fig. 37, and from this time, the progress of the
tree in growth and shape is much more rapid. The
trees exhibited at Figs. 37 and 38 are often exceeded
in size by such as have been planted a year less, but
they are much oftener not equalled in this respect by
trees planted four or five years.

Fig. 87.

Fig. 88.

154

When the pyra-
midal shape has be-
come established, as
in Fig. 38, the prun-
ing is performed
more directly with
the intention of in-
ducing the forma-
tion of fruit-buds,
but the preservation
of the shape must
still be kept in view.
The line AB in Fig-
ure 38 indicates the
place at which the
branches should be
shortened.

Fig. 39 is a well-
balanced pyramidal
Urbaniste, ten or
twelve years old.
The characteristic
growth of this vari-
ety may be observed
in its too numerous
branches. It can-
not, however, be
thinned to the ex-
tent needed by other
varieties without de-
laying its fruiting,
on account of its
great tendency to
wood-growth.

PRUNING.

Fig. 89.

PRUNING TO FORM PYRAMIDS. 155

Although, the pyramidal form has become estab-
lished, this tree would soon grow out of balance if
neglected. It will require annual pinching and sum-
mer checking of the leading shoots not only for the
purpose of restraining them, but to preserve the
development of the lower branches.

From neglect or bad pruning, it is not unfrequent
that trees acquire a growth similar to Fig. 40, which
is a portrait of a tree in my own grounds. In its first
pruning, the stem was left too high, and, in conse-
quence, a long space has occurred at A and B, free
from radial branches. After some subsequent prun-
ing, a gourmand, indicated by C, has pushed out
from near the collar.

Another error in pruning is shown at D, where a
cut was made too far above the bud, or the branch.
The highest shoot in this tree has abdicated the
leadership, and a strong rival has pushed up from
below it. Some of the methods of remedying the
numerous evils in the condition of this tree, without
shortening it back so severely as to lose three or four
years in its fruiting, will be noticed. To cover the
naked space on the stem, the shoots A and B, Fig. 40,
may be ingrafted by cutting them to a wedge shape,
at A and B, and fitting them into a notch in the stem,
made with a chisel, or by removing small sections of
bark from both the stem and the shoot, and binding
the two firmly in contact. The gourmand may be
used, for ingrafting upon the trunk, at G, but when
not used as a graft, it should be cut at F, in order to
conceal the trunk with foliage. The branch and part
of the stem, at D, should be entirely removed, in order

156

PRUNING.

to allow E to become the leader. All the branches
should be shortened, the upper to three or four inches,
and the lower to six or eight, and the leader to ten or
twelve. Pig. 41, represents, at A and B, the incisions
which are made above a weak bud, or shoot, to check

Fig. 40.

Fig. 41.

the flow of sap, and force it to their development,
C is the incision made below a strong shoot to check
its growth.

It is important in pruning, to cut so near a bud that'

PRUNING TO FORM PYRAMIDS. 157

the wound will be within the influence of the sap,
elaborated by the leaves formed from that bud. If
cut as in Fig. 42, the wood above the bud being beyond
the flow of sap, usually dies, and produces a bad effect.
The cut in Fig. 43 is made so low as to endanger the
life of the bud, and effect the same bad result, as in
cutting too high. The true rule for cutting a bud is,
to make the slope reach no lower than the bottom of
the bud, and high enough on the side of the shoot
nearest the bud to clear the top of the latter. Fig. 44
represents the true cut.

Fig. 42. Pig. 43. Fig. 44.

An irregular form of trees growing on quince roots,
and resulting from overfruiting, is exhibited by Fig.
45. The check to wood-growth, caused by the early
fruitfulness of the tree, resulted in the change of most
of the buds to fruit-buds. When a period of rest from
fruiting occurred, and the tree had acquired strength
for further growth, this was all produced at the top
of the tree, and thus its balance destroyed. To
remedy this, the tree may be either shortened at the
point indicated by the long lines, or the limbs pruned
at the small cross lines, and the lower part kept from
fruiting for a year or two. Combined with summer

158

PRUNING.

Fig. 45.

pinching of the t jp shoots, this last method will restore
the shape without losing the growth of two or three
years.

I am often pained at
being obliged to cut
away half a dozen luxu-
riant shoots, three to five
feet in length, the growth
of the preceding sum-
mer, upon a tree, which,
by their production, was
thrown entirely out of
balance. But most two-
year-old trees, if previ-
ously neglected, prove
too obstinate in their ac-
quired habit of growth,
to form easily into pyr-
amidal shape. The bark
has become too old for
buds to break from,with-
out cutting so low down
that one may almost
as well begin with bud-
ding the stock, thus go-
ing back to the very foundation of nursery treatment.

As the fruit-raiser may save several years' labor
and delay by selecting large trees, it will be seen
that it is of considerable importance to obtain those
that have received proper care in the proper time.
When well-shaped trees, two to four years old,
cannot be procured, it is better to select maiden

SUMMER PINCHING. 159

plants, or those of a single season's growth, as shown
in Fig. 29.

SUMMER PINCHING.

This process consists in checking the growing shoot
during summer, either by the thumb and finger or the
knife. Sometimes the soft terminal tuft of leaves
is pinched entirely off, sometimes a considerable por-
tion of the shoot is cut away, and occasionally they
are simply fractured, and left hanging.

This labor may be performed from the first break-
ing of the bud to the middle of July, the time for its
performance being governed by the need for shaping
the tree.

As before stated, the perfect formation of a pyramid
is commenced in the nursery. The plant budded the
previous year should stand at sufficient distance from
its fellows to allow its branches to radiate from the
ground, for a foot on either side, without interference
from them. Near the middle of July, the terminal
bud should be pinched off as at Fig. 35. The wood,
now in its succulent condition, heals over at once, and
no scar remains.

By the loss of the terminal bud, the sap is dis-
tributed to the lower buds, and if, as usually occurs,
radial shoots do not push out, the former are strength-
ened sufficiently to form strong shoots during the next
season. The tree, if well grown, is, at the end of the
first season, fully equal, for forming a pyramid, to
the one exhibited at Fig. 36. By a regular system of
summer pinching to restrain undue vigor of some of
the shoots, no great interference with its organism
need occur to preserve the pyramidal shape through

160

PRUNING.

all its future growth. I have often seen a difference
of .two years' growth in favor of summer-treated
trees over those whose pruning was delayed until the
wood ripened.

To induce the formation of fruit-buds, summer
pinching is successfully resorted to. Fig. 46 exhibits
a twig with wood-buds at A and B, and the soft
summer growth beyond. If in July this is pinched
off or only broken to remain hanging, as in Fig. 4T,
the small weak buds at A B will be strongly devel-
oped, and appear as in this last-mentioned Figure.
At the swelling of the buds in the next spring, these
will appear as shown in Fig. 48. In all these Fig-
ures, the shoot is represented as broken too closely
to the buds.

Fig. 46.

Fig. 47.

Fig. 48.

Summer pruning must not, however, be continued

SUMMER PINCHING. 161

BO late in the season as to induce an unripened growth.
When several small shoots have formed from the
upper buds after pinching, they should be removed
in the subsequent spring, as they would tend to form
a tuft of branches on the end of the shoot.

The treatment of fruit-spurs upon bearing trees
forms no unimportant part of their management. The
excrescence remaining at the base of the stem of a
fruit of the Duchesse d'Angoul&ne is shown at Fig. 49.
When this is cut at A, the small buds appearing at the
base are developed in another year into the condition
represented by Fig. 50. These fruit-spurs will now,
if not displaced or crushed in gathering the fruit,
become permanent, and afford a security for fruitful-
ness in the tree. Fig. 51 exhibits a cluster of fruit-
bads on a spur, that has borne several times.

Pig. 49. Fig. 50. Fig. 51.

The rules for summer pruning and pinching may be
condensed as follows.

1. To develop wood-buds on the lower part of the
tree, prune all the branches closely in spring, and
pinch the upper shoots during summer. If the upper

162 PRUNING.

shoots push too strongly, deprive them partially of
leaves, but allow the lower ones in the vicinity of the
weak buds to grow.

2. Allow no useless shoots to absorb the vigor and
sap of the ' tree — for every pound of them cut away
might have been diverted to its proper growth.

3. To develop a weak branch, cut it back to two or
three buds in spring, provided the rest of the tree be
closely pruned and summer pinched, but the weak
shoot must be allowed to grow unchecked during
summer.

4. To check exuberant shoots, they must not be cut
back severely at the winter-pruning, but summer-
pinched and partially deprived of leaves.

5. Allow the strong branches to bear all their fruit,
but deprive the weak parts of the tree entirely of fruit.

FORMS OF TRAINING.

Almost every variety of pear tree exhibits a distinct
and characteristic growth. This inclination to a par-
ticular form modifies our control over the tree to
such an extent as to .render it impossible to mold
some varieties into any of the shapes exhibited in the
figures. Other varieties acquire the pyramidal shape
so readily as scarcely to need the restraints of pruning.

Most of the leading varieties of pear trees can be
recognized by their characteristic forms and color of
the bark, almost as readily as by their fruit. The
light yellow bark and open growth of the Bartlett
and Duchesse, and the gray, densely-growing shoots
of the Urbaniste, distinguMi ciich of them as perfectly
;is the forms and colors of their fruits.

FOEMS OF TRAINING.

163

Fig. 52 is from a photograph of a Vicar of
Winkfield, four years planted, which was only pruned
at the time of its removal from the nursery.

Fig. 52.

The Urbaniste and Flemish Beauty assume the
pyramidal shape without shortening, but still differ
widely in their natural structure.

164: PKUNING.

Fig. 53 represents a tree, the lower part of which
has ceased to grow, in consequence of over-fruiting.
To reduce this to a pyramidal shape, without pruning
away a very considerable portion of the tree, requires
judicious pruning. Cut the lower, unnourished
branches back to three or four inches. Leave the
remainder until the next spring, when the branches
extending beyond the lines in the Figure are to be cut
off; but during the summer, the upper and more vigor-
ous branches are to be checked by pinching, and par-
tially depriving of leaves, in order to throw the sap
into the lower ones. This is the true Quenonille.

Fig. 5-i represents a pear tree trained as a column
— one of those eccentric forms attempted by French
gardeners, which cannot be recommended.

ESPALIER AND QUENOUILLE TRAINING.

Happily for fruit-growers of this country, they are
not compelled to resort to the laborious, artificial
means practiced in other countries for the production
of fruit ; but as it may be desirable at some time to
employ these methods for ornament or local conven-
ience, they are here given.

In Espalier training we should commence with the
first summer's growth from the bud. The terminal
bud is pinched out in the latter part of June, and
when lateral shoots push forth, they are cut off on two
opposite sides, leaving those on the two other sides.
If these push out regularly, two or three pairs are
allowed to remain, and the stem cut back to them.

These are trained to the lattice or wall, and fastened
in the fall. The next year another pair or two are

ESPALIER AND QTJENOUILLE TRAINING. 165

Fig. 58. Pig. 64,

166 PEUNING.

produced at the proper distances, and fastened as
before, guarding, however, against allowing horizontal
shoots to be produced more rapidly than a strong,
vigorous growth will permit.

The term Quenouille is misapplied in fruit-books.
It is now applied in France only to trees of the form
represented in Fig. 53.

Arched training, as shown in Fig. 55, is nearly
abandoned in France and Belgium. It is generally
confessed to have produced the most ugly and ill-
shapen trees imaginable, besides requiring immense
labor and unremitting care. It consisted in tying
down the ends of shoots to pegs on the ground, until
a drooping habit had been produced, or the check of
sap by the compressure has induced fruit-bearing.

RULES FOE PRUNING.

1. Cut near a wood-bud when pruning to perfect
the shape.

2. Prune severely in the spring those branches
that are desired to grow vigorously.

3. Pinch in summer and partially deprive of leaves
those branches that grow too vigorously and absorb
too much sap.

4. Thin, weakly shoots should either be pruned
close, or left entire with a terminal bud : the more
vigorous ones being, at the same time, stopped by
pinching.

5. Let the severest pruning be performed on the
tree when young.

6. To develop fruit-buds, break, pinch, or twist the
shoots above the buds intended to be developed.

ESPALIER AND ARCH TRAINING. 167

Fig. 66.

1 68 PRUNING.

7. Prune when the sap is active, that the wound
may heal quickly.

8. When trees are tardy in coming into bearing,
prune severely in spring, pinch constantly in summer,
and root-prune in early autumn. v

9. When a tree has been removed, prune off the
branches in proportion to the loss of roots.

SEASON FOR PRUNING.

Mr. DOWNING recommended winter and fall pruning
of fruit-trees, without regard to kinds. This is the
general practice ; but as relates to the Pear, it
is beginning to be thought erroneous by the best
pomologists. Wounds made in winter pruning can-
not heal over until the sap shall deposit the matter
that ripens into bark and wood. In the meanwhile,
the raw cut becomes dry and checked, the end of the
branch usually dies do.wn for some distance, and
requires a new cut in the spring. The best season for
pruning the Pear is after the buds begin to swell in
April, until the new leaves are half formed.

All the wood that requires removal should be
pruned at this season, to economize the sap before it
has been wasted in wood growth, that will need to be
pruned away. Pruning, however, beyond the 1st of
July should be avoided, as it induces a late suc-
culent growth, that remaining unripened, is subject
to blight.

ROOT-PRUNING, AND ITS EFFECT ON SHAPE AND FRUITING.

It has long been known, that an obstinate variety
growing on the pear stock, might be hastened in its

BOOT-PRUNING, AND ITS EFFECTS. 169

fruiting, by separating some of the roots, thus cutting
off the abundant supply of nutriment that increased
the wood-growth at the expense of fruit formation.
The first object of this process is, to produce fibrous
roots, instead of the long, naked ones which support
the tree ; for fibrous roots alone provide the proper
sap for forming or sustaining fruit-buds.

When a root is smoothly separated in the last of
August or first of September, with a sloping cut from
the under to the upper surface of the root, the return-
ing sap forms upon the edges of the cut innumerable
fibres and rootlets. The tendency to form roots at
this season from every abrasion beneath the surface
is so great, that even the young shoots of the Pear
will form roots, if half cut through and layered.

The effect of root-pruning is to render the pear tree
more manageable; its growth being more equally
distributed around the tree, instead of assuming the
rampant form of the gourmand. Most varieties, tardy
in bearing upon the pear stock, may be hastened six
or eight years in fruit-bearing, by root-pruning. The
Dix, Seckel, Beurre, Bosc, and others, that are averse
to the Quince, by root-pruning may be fruited in four
or five years. Pear trees, several times root-pruned,
may be removed with almost absolute certainty of
success, at almost any age or size ; so that the favorite
trees of a tenant may be removed from the premises
he quits, with his furniture, and the regret at leaving
objects of care and skill may be entirely avoided.

Upon this subject, nothing can be said of so much
interest, and worthy of so much attention as the fol-
lowing from Mr. Rivers, of Sawbridgeport, England*

8

170 PRUNING.

Mr. R., it should be said, confines his remarks entirely
to the Pear upon the quince stock, while instructions
for root-pruning generally refers to the Pear on pear
roots. Mr. Eivers says :

" I must premise, that handsome and fertile pyramids, more particu-
larly of some free-bearing varieties, may be reared without this annual,
biennial, or triennial operation. I have a large plantation of pear trees
on Quince, which bids fair to make handsome and fertile pyramids,
yet they have not been root-pruned, neither do I intend to root-prune
them. But I wish to impress upon my readers that my principal object
is to make trees fit for small gardens, and to instruct those who are not
blessed with a large garden how to keep their trees perfectly under
control ; and this can best be done by annual, or at least, biennial at-
tention to their roots ; for if a tree be suffered to grow three or more
years, and then root-pruned, it will receive a check if the spring be dry,
and the crop of fruit for one season will be jeopardied. Therefore, those
who are disinclined to the annual operation, and yet wish to confine the
growth of their trees within limited grounds, by root-pruning — say once
in three years — should only operate upon one-third of their trees in one
season. They will thus save two-thirds in an unchecked leafing state ;
and those who have ample room and space may pinch their pyramids in
summer, and suffer them to grow to the height of fifteen or twenty feet,
without pruning their roots. I have seen avenues of such trees, in
Belgium, quite imposing. Pyramidal trees on the quince stock (and
we would add, on the pear stock also), when the fruit-garden is small,
and the real gardening artist feels a pleasure in keeping them in a
healthy and fruitful state, by perfect control over the roots, should be
operated upon as follows: A trench should be dug around the tree,
about eighteen inches from the stem, every autumn, just after the fruit
is gathered, if the soil be sufficiently moist — if not, it will be better to
wait till the usual autumnal rains are- fallen, and the roots< carefully
examined, those inclined to perpendicular growth, cut with a spade,
which must be introduced quite under the tree on all sides, so that no
root can possibly escape amputation, and all the horizontal roots except
those that are small and fibrous, shortened with a knife, to within a
circle eighteen inches from the stem (if they have not spread out to
this extent, they need not be pruned, but merely brought near the
surface and spread out), and all brought near the surface as possible,

RULES FOE PEUNDTG. 171

filling in the trench with compost for the roots to rest on ; the trench
may then be filled with compost and the mold from an old hot-bed,
equal parts will answer exceedingly well ; the surface should then be
covered with half-rotted dung, and the roots left till the following
autumn brings its annual care. It may be found that, after a few years
of root-pruning, the circumferential mass of fibres will have become too
matted, and that some of the roots are bare of fibres toward the stem.
This will cause them to give out fibres, so that the entire circle of three
or more feet around the tree is full of fibrous roots near the surface,
waiting with open mouths for the nourishment annually given to them
by surface-dressing and liquid manures. Handsome pyramidal trees
may be produced by shortening the shoots in the summer, and if they
are inclined to grow too vigorously, occasional (say biennial or triennial)
root-pruning by the spade, will be sufficient."

I here introduce ME. RIVEES' plan of root-pruning,
although quite unadapted to our necessities, in order
that the reader may have an opportunity of observing
what is called high cultivation.

It should be understood by every one that reads this
article, that the requisites for forming fruit-spurs are,
fibrous roots well supplied with nutriment. While
the trees are making only long cane-like roots, there
will be no supply of sufficiently-digested pabulum for
fruit.

The intention of most cultivators in this country
being to produce large pyramids, the annual pruning
of roots would be an unnecessary labor, especially on
the quince stock. On the pear stock, biennial root-
pruning, by thrusting down a spade, after having dug
a trench one spade deep, at the proper distance from
the stem, is sufficient. One other variation from ME.
KIVEES' recommendations is the time in which this
root-pruning is to be performed. If it is delayed until
all fruit is gathered, the Vicar and the Winter varie-

172 PRUNING.

ties would lose the benefit of the descending and root-
forming sap when the leaf is ripening. On the quince
stock we have not often found that pear trees need
root-pruning, since the great difficulty is to restrain
their fruit-bearing tendency. The great cause of
failure in cultivating these trees is their enormous
overbearing, producing one great crop, and then re-
maining unhealthy, exhausted, and stinted for several
years.

But, we repeat, in order to give emphasis to the
truth, that root-pruning is quite necessary to the per-
fection of the pyramid form, unless the tree has had
its training commenced with the young shoot from
the bud.

PAET YL— DISEASES OF THE PEAE.

THE Pear has several times in this country been
subject to most fatal epidemics. Men and animals
are not alone the victims of pestilence, but Nature
suffers these violent perturbations through all her
dominions. It is not surprising that the sudden loss
of one tenth of a fine pear orchard should discourage
and alarm the fruit-grower ; still he ought not to forget
that its cause is exceptional, and will pass away.
These diseases, though prevailing for several seasons
in succession, occur only at long intervals ; and the
period of a disease being terminated, we may usually
calculate upon exemption from it for a considerable
time.

WINTER, OK FROZEN SAP BLIGHT.

The diseases of the Pear, known by Pomologists as
Leaf-Blight, Summer-Blight, Winter-Blight, Insect-
Blight, and Frozen-Sap-Blight, are generally, at pre-
sent, recognized under the two latter terms, though
we think the leaf-blight an entirely distinct disease.
There has been so much speculation upon the causes
of Winter or Frozen Sap Blight, and so many reme-
dies recommended, that we are not prepared to adopt
any of the theories in explanation of it, or any nos-
trum as a specific.

The pear tree is a greedy absorber of fluids, and
( 173 )

174 DISEASES OF THE PEAR.

when the warm rains of September excite its absorb-
ents, the gourmand drinks np large quant
nutriment, and a late and rapid growth of shoots is
formed. In these succulent and unripe growths.
sap is retained without that vitality of leaf which will
effect its maturity and assimilation, bein^ thin
watery, and not sufficiently matured to enable it to
resist the frost, and death ensues. In the plant as
well as the animal, great length of t
before the poison affects the whole system and causes
death. It is not unfrequent that the tree, poisoned
in autumn, survi ves till the July folio w i n g. The 1 >
of the trunk and principal limbs exhibits bhv
and on cutting into them, the bark and wo
distance beneath, are found quite dead and bJ;

The only remedy is, to cut away at once all of the
tree that is affected, cutting below the lowest spot.
But few trees attacked with this disease will b<
much value, even with the best treatment, that can be
given them. Out of forty trees, six or eight i<
thus affected in one season, we succeeded in saving

the Stumps, tWO feet high, of only eif(ht. or ten. 'I :.

trees had be ghtfron] ..nd phi.-.

the fall preceding the attack, and exhibi heir

large, thrifty shoot , that rapid, unripe growt.li above

The most Successful mean:-, of having trer- . from

ravages of t- aid iti s

cause being late and unripe growth, it mo~t fn-o;ijf-iii.ly

occurs o; '•!) sad damp soils, retenti iter,

and abounding ifl vo^etabh: and animal matl'i. To
IOV« the exccftS of Wtt' d inde»-»Jthe

WINTRK, OU FROZKX SAP 1VLWHT. 175

onlv moans, is draining; the surplus rank vegetable
and animal manor must bo neutralized or decomposed
tie application ot' alkaline substances — ashes,lime,
marl, eve., v\ Inch, as all experience shows, insure by
their direct intluoiuv on . a short, stocky, I

well-ripened uTowih. Fifty bushels ot' lime, and half
that niiantitv of ashes, scattered over an acre, and
worked in with tho plow, is an almost certain pre-
vontivo ot' this disease, it' well drained.

\ evideneo in support ot' this theory, is

the t'aet, that this blight has never been known to
originate on the dr\ >andv loam • I i;' Island, not

ovon with lioaw manuring; the drought of midsummer

ul\\ a^ ripeniiii;- the shoots so eonipletely. that the
\oa\~es tall a month before fKv i s ev^nunenee.

It' the character ot' the season ami
urowth of the trees, inoli.i/.vM ;>\ ; . vsh ^reen leaves
and len^tlkMun^ shoves, late in the fall, warn the cul-
tivator of olan^er from this disease, he should
the earth from the collar of the tree, down to the tirst
roots, and around for some diMancc. This exposure

will check tho tendency of the roots to absorb more

nutriment, and ot' course arrest the gTCWth* The same

rosult mav be gained by root -pruning) whenever the
other method is not com enient , or pr

This disease, the most formidable that attacks the
Tear, is distinguished bv certain peculiar ligM

1. At the time of \\ spring pruning by a

thick clammx sap tlo\\ in;1; slov\
— while a healthy tree exhibits a fVesh, clean Ottt.

.'-v the appearance, laic in spring, ol' dead patches
of bark on tho trunk and limbs. This, however, is

176 DISEASES OF THE PEAR.

Bometimes the consequence of overbearing, in which
case, the dead bark will often cover the living and
most healthy wood and bark ; yet this peculiarity is
frequently the first stage of the disease.

3. By the extremities of the shoots in early summer
shrivelling, turning black, and perishing suddenly
When these are instantly cut away for some distance
below the diseased parts, the tree may often be saved ;
but if the dead patches of bark, above mentioned,
first make their appearance, the case is critical.

THE INSECT-BLIGHT.

The insect causing this blight is known among po-
mologists as the Scolytus pyri, and is one of the most
minute of our numerous enemies.

In July or August it perforates shoots of sometimes
two seasons' growth, and deposits its egg. The suc-
ceeding June or July, the branch is observed to wither
and turn suddenly brown. The disease seldom travels
below the point attacked, and if the part be removed
immediately, is directly checked. The insect engen-
dered near a bud eats its way to the pith, and there,
by feeding upon the sap-vessels, destroys the organ-
ism that supplies life to the upper shoot. At the
first appearance of the ravages of the insect, all the
branches affected should be cut and burned — the
attack must be sudden and energetic.

THE LEAF-BLIGHT.

This disease is indicated by a sudden spotting and
premature ripening of many of the leaves. The
growth is checked for a time, and if the attack is long-

INSECT-BLIGHT LEAF-BLIGHT. 177

continued, or wide-spread, the fruit is lessened in size,
and sometimes refuses to ripen. It is only serious,
when appearing upon Pear seedlings, as it checks
their growth, and prevents their being budded during
the season of its attack.

It is very probable that the winter-killing of seed-
lings results in great measure from the previous feeble
growth, as the roots produced are in exact proportion
to the quantity of leaves, and the active vitality of the
leaves being destroyed, the roots are too feebly devel-
oped to retain their hold in the soil. A curious fact
in the history of this disease is, its confining its attacks
almost entirely to seedlings and wild pears. A graft
or bud of the finer varieties, of the greatest luxuriance
of foliage, may not exhibit a single symptom of this
disease, while the leaves of the stock will be entirely
blackened. Its approach may be looked for, when-
ever warm and abundant rains are succeeded by hot,
bleaching sunshine. The leaves of pear seedlings
being very succulent, and in such a season as just
described, accustomed to a moist atmosphere and a
shaded sky, are not prepared for the great change,
and consequently are scorched and blackened. "When
occurring in the seed-bed, I do not doubt that the
close planting of the young trees occasions this result.

PART YIL — ESTSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE
PEAK.

THE Scolytus pyri, already mentioned, is a very
minute beetle, not much larger than a flea. It punc-
tures the young wood of the pear shoots, and deposits
there its eggs. It is the larva of this insect that
accomplishes the mischief. It is thus described by
DOWNING : " The beetle is a deep brown, with legs of
a paler color ; its thorax is short, convex, rough in
front, and covered with erect bristles. The wing
covers are marked with rows of punctured points,
between which are also rows of bristles, and they
appear cut off very obliquely behind." The larva
completes its change by June or July, and gnaws its
way through the bark, leaving a small round punc-
ture.

THE SCALE INSECT.

This abominable and prolific nuisance is insignificant
in appearance, but formidable in mischief. Trees of
clean, smooth bark, sometimes in the single month of
September, become so foul with this insect as to
appear covered with bran-scales. These scales are
not the insects, but cover small reddish cocculi, that
when crushed with the finger-nail leave a spot of
blood. They feed upon the more sluggish juices of
the trunk and limbs. In a short time the tree becomes
( 178 )

THE SCALE-INSECT. 179

BO infested with them, that the most vigorous efforts
must be exerted to clear it of the enemy. Some
of my trees had, by neglect, become so badly
affected, that I saw no remedy would preserve them,
and was compelled to cut them down. When the
cocci are washed away, the bark appears rough and
blotched, and presents a diseased appearance.

"WASHES. — A solution of soda, or potash in water,
not stronger than one pound of soda to one gallon of
water, or one pound of potash to two gallons of water,
is efficacious. But washes of this strength must not
be applied to trees in foliage.

Whale-oil soap, dissolved at the rate of one pound
to three or four gallons of water, is a most effective
wash, and the efficiency is increased when the soap is
dissolved in a decoction of refuse tobacco. Camphor
is sometimes added ; but this gum is somewhat costly.
The wash of whale-oil soap may be used stronger, if
applied when the leaves have fallen.

For the following, I am indebted to. the pen and
pencil of Mr. A. O. MOOKE.

"If in the month of October the vigilant cultivator scrutinizes hia
young pear trees, he may be surprised at finding many of them
strangely covered, on trunk and limbs, with a white substance, which at
first may seem to be a mold or mildew, such as would be engendered
by a damp situation. Upon attempting to scrape this off, a claret-
colored liquid will smear the stem as if with blood. A close examina-
tion will show that this white substance is composed of small paper-
like scales. If a scale is removed carefully so as to expose the under
surface, it will at this season be found to cover a minute dark-red
object, surrounded by yet smaller dust-like atoms. This is as far in our
investigation as the unaided vision will carry us. A good microscopic
lens will, however, reveal a family composed of a mother (as seen at

180

INSECTS ENJUBIOUS TO THE PEAK.

Fig. 57) with her numerous unhatched progeny, consisting of from
twenty to fifty eggs — the breaking of which latter furnished the red
fluid before noticed. After the eggs have been deposited, the body of

Fig. 56.

Fig. 56 represents a Pear branch attacked by the Bark-Louse. The insect being
concealed under the white scales.

Fig. 57 represents the under side of one of the scales, with the eggs adhering,
greatly magnified.

the female contracts, as shown in Fig. 67. Previous to the first of Octo-
ber, I have found the insect under the scale without the eggs, but by
arranging the light so as to produce a slightly transparent effect, the
eggs may then be seen within the body of the parent, as at Fig. 58.

THE SCALE-INSECT.

181

Fig. 58.

" At this time the insect appears almost lifeless, and
probably it has already committed all the injury to
the tree it is capable of inflicting : this injury con-
sists in the abstraction of the juices of the tree.
Around each minute paper domicil may be seen a
discolored spot. It is not unusual to see a tree of
eight or ten feet in height with every part of the
stem and many of its branches whitened by this
injurious insect. No tree thus attacked can be healthy.
" Trees situated in grass lands, or otherwise neglect-
ed, peculiarly invite this sloven's pest. Slow-growing
varieties of the Pear are more subject to it than the
rapid growing kinds.

" We will now consider the means of destroying
this troublesome insect. It is probable that the time
in which the injury is committed is during the sum-
mer months, although the insect, being not then
invested with its paper-like covering, can only be discovered with diffi-
culty. The practice of washing the trunk and main branches of fruit-
trees with a mixture of soft-soap and water, one part of the former to
two of the latter, applied with a coarse cloth, using considerable fric-
tion, can not be too highly recommended for the health and general
thriftiness of the orchard. This application should be made in the
spring, before the swelling of the buds, and again in early June — this
time, however, greater care is necessary to avoid injury to the young
shoots. The young insect is then about commencing its summer depre-
dations, and all that escaped the spring washing maybe easily destroyed.

" Where soft-soap can not be obtained, common hard-soap may be
used instead ; half a pound dissolved in two gallons of hot water.
Harris recommends a solution of two pounds of potash in seven quarts
of water, or a pickle consisting of a quart of common salt in two gal-
lons of water. No preparation, however, I believe to be so safe and
efficacious as the one first mentioned.

"Whale-oil soap, or even common hard-soap, placed in the 'crotch
of the principal branches, and allowed to remain until washed down
gradually by the rains, will be found excellent for the general health
of the tree, and prevent the attacks of this and many other insects.

* Fig. 8 is a magnified view of the Female Bark-Louse before depositing her egga.

182 INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE PEAK.

" Another species of the coccus has lately been brought to my notice,
which seems to affect the Apple and the Pear in the same manner as
the above, and is sometimes found upon the same tree. It has, instead
of the white paper-like covering, a hard coriacious scale, of narrower
and longer shape, and the eggs are pearly white instead of red. I fear
that where this insect exists, it may prove a more troublesome enemy
than the white scale, as its hard covering forms a more effective protpo-
tion against the wash recommended."

After the coccus has acquired its shell, a simple
washing will not remove it. It must be scrubbed
off with considerable force, and in bad cases, with sand
and soap.

THE SLUG.

The pear-slug is another insignificant, but trouble-
some enemy. This slimy and disagreable fellow
attaches himself to the upper part of the leaf, in Juno
or July.

It is about half an inch long, and somewhat resem-
bles a snail. It quickly devours all the succulent
portion of the leaf, the skeleton of which remains
upon the tree, and appears as if scorched with fire.
Growth is stopped at once, and what fruit has set,
never attains any considerable size. Dust, lime, ashes,
and other substances, that will attach to the slime of
the insect, will, if thrown upon the leaves where it is
feeding, soon detach his hold, and cause him to fall off
and die. Soapsuds, potash-water (made with six or
eight gallons of water to a pound of potash), or strong
tobacco-water, will speedily destroy this insect.

I am happy to be able to add the result of some
investigations into the habits of this insect by Mr. A.
O. MOORE :

"The insect which we familiarly call the Pear Slug (Selandria cerasi,)

THE SLUG. 183

represented in Fig. 59 is, at the period of its life when generally noticed
by the cultivator, a greenish-black, club-shaped worm, with a thick
rounded anterior extremity, and tapering towards the posterior. It is
covered with a semi-transparent coat of slime, which exudes from the
body, and, in the hottest sunshine, does not become hard or dry.

" While resting undisturbed upon the leaf, the tail or last segment ot
the body is slightly raised. At its greatest size, the worm is about half
an inch in length ; it is very sluggish in its habits, being rarely seen to
move.

" The injury consists in its eating the upper skin of the leaf, while the

Fig. 59.

Fig. 59. The Pear-Sing full grown. The Leaf with its upper surface partially
destroyed, (a.) The Egg deposited upon the upper surface of the leaf.

lower skin and the veins are untouched ; the leaves immediately assume
a brown, unsightly appearance, while the proper function of the leaf,
the elaboration of the sap, is almost entirely obstructed.

"Like all other insects, its existence may be divided into four stages :
First, the Egg ; second, the Larva, or worm state, which is peculiarly
its eating and growing period ; third, the Pupa, or dormant state ;

184: INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE PEAR.

fourth, the Imago, which is the perfect or winged state. In this last
stage only are the differences of sex discernible ; and by the Fly, or
perfect insect, the eggs are deposited which reproduce the brood of
destructive worms.

"This fly of the Pear Slug is described as a four-winged Hymenopter-
ous (or wasp-like) insect, of a glossy black color. The wings are some-
what convex on the upper side, and slightly wrinkled, transparent,
reflecting the colors of the rainbow, the anterior pair having a smoky
band across them. The legs are tipped with a dull yeUow color. The
body of the female measures rather more than a fifth of an inch
in length, that of the male is smaller. They make their appearance
twice during the summer, the first time about the end of May or the
first of June, the second appearance about the latter end of July. On
each occasion they lay their eggs, and disappear in about three weeks.

Fig. 60.

Fig. 60. The Perfect Insect or Fly of the Pear Slug— magnified. The cross line*
represent the natural size.

" The slug fly deposits its eggs singly on the upper surface of the most
matured leaves, covering it with a frothy, white, varnish-like mucilage,
which surrounds it, and serves at once to attach it to the leaf, and to
exclude the atmosphere. The small spot a on the leaf, Fig. 59, repre-
sents the size and form of the egg, which is seen as a dark center in the
middle of a white spot. Fig. 61 represents the egg magnified, and the
worm or young slug within the semi-transparent shell. Fig. 62 exhibits
the egg also magnified, after the insect has emerged.

"When first hatched, the young slug is white, andean with difficulty
be discerned by the naked eye ; it commences immediately to puncture
with email holes the surface of the leaf upon which it is produced. It

THE SLUG. 185

soon acquires a covering of greenish-black slime, and is said by HARRIS
to live as a worm twenty-six days, shedding its skin during that period

Fig. 61. Fig. 62.

Fig. 61. The Egg magnified, with the Embryo Slug seen through the shell.
Fig. 62. The Egg empty after the Slug has escaped — magnified.

five times. Fig. 63 gives its appearance after it has shed its skin for the
last time, with the forsaken skin lying near it. It is now much changed
in color, being a brown-yellow, and somewhat diminished in size. In
a few hours it falls to the ground, and immediately seeks to burrow into
the soil. Descending to the depth of several inches, it forms a cocoon
with a shiny brown interior surface, and a rough exterior, with
grains of earth adhering. Fig. 64 shows a broken cocoon with the

Fig. 63. Fig. 64. Fig. 65.

Fig. 63. (a) The Slug, after shedding its skin the last time. (&) The skin left upon
the leaf.

Fig. 64. (c.) The Cocoon from which the insect has been prematurely removed.
(d) The Slug after having commenced its change to the fly state.

Fig. 65. The Ichneumon Fly magnified; supposed to be of the species Encyrtus,
taken from the egg of the slug.

insect, now much further diminished in size, taken out. This is the
Pupa or dormant state. It remains in the earth after its first appear-
ance sixteen days, when it comes forth as the perfect insect, Fig. 60.
The second brood remain hi their subterranean retreat until the suc-
ceeding spring.

" We will now consider the means for preventing or palliating the
injury resulting from the attacks of the pear-slug. I would first remark,
that the slug is found in much greater abundance on weakly growing
trees than on those of strong and rapid growth. This fact points to

186 INSECTS INJinRIOUS TO THE PEAR.

the first and fundamental remedy, the securing of healthy trees, and by
the proper enrichment and preparation of the soil, of a thrifty and
uniform growth. Nature has provided a minute but formidable enemy
to the slug, which serves very materially to check its increase. This
enemy is a species of ichneumon fly, which is also of the wasp family.
Soon after the slug fly has deposited its egg on the leaf, the ichneumon
deposits its egg within the shell of the former, which developing to a
minute grub before the time for the hatching of the slug worm, feeds
upon the embryo slug, passing the whole period of its existence as a
worm, and even undergoing the succeeding transformation through the
pupa state, within the smah1 space afforded by the egg of the slug, the
natural size of which may be seen at a, Fig. 58.

" Fig. 65 exhibits the ichneumon fly as found in the egg of the pear-
slug, nearly ready to emerge as a perfect insect.

" The application, at the proper time, of lime in a dry, or powdered
state, while the leaves are wet with rain or dew, will prove effectual in
destroying the egg before it is hatched, or the slug during the time of its
depredations. If the number of trees to be treated is large, it will only
be necessary to apply the remedy twice during the season, provided
the proper stage of the insect's development is chosen. This should
be as soon as possible after the eggs are all hatched, which is usually
about the first of July with the first brood, and the first of September
with the second brood. If applied earlier than the times' mentioned,
some of the eggs will not have hatched, in which case it requires much
greater care and a larger quantity of lime ; or if applied much later,
many of them will have undergone their transformation into the pupa
state, and therefore be beyond our reach. I have found this remedy
always efficacious, and even plaster of Paris, ashes, or dust from the
road, applied to the slimy coat of the slug, will cause it to sicken and
die." " A. 0. MOORE."

"NEW YORK, 140 Fulton Street, Oct., 1857."

The caterpillar, canker-worm, and apple-worm,
which increase in size and number with such rapidity,
are easily destroyed when attacked in time. The web
must be crushed at its first appearance. The best
method is not always the most pleasant; but all the
operations of horticulture are not equally agreeable.

CATERPILLAR CANKER-WORM — APPLE-WORM. 187

A thick buckskin glove should be worn; and with the
hand thus protected, the nest should be grasped and
crushed — being careful to press firmly all the crevices
of the bark to destroy every individual.

There is but one method^ better, and this is to look
carefully over the trees several times after the leaves
have fallen ; gather every leaf curled and gummed
to the tree, and every circlet of whitish eggs attached
to a limb, and put them in the fire.

The most effective and convenient allies in destroy-
ing insects are, birds and dung-hill fowls. When the
latter are fed at distant and different spots about the
pear grounds, they acquire a habit of wandering
among the trees, and although generally shy of
attacking caterpillars, yet their quick eyes no sooner
detect a miller, a fly, or a beetle, about to lay eggs for
an innumerable generation, than the hapless insect is
deposited . in the crop of some of the gallinacecB.
"Wasps, flies, and moths are the parents of rapidly-
increasing tribes, and by destroying one of them, we
rid ourselves of thousands. Wide-mouthed vials con-
taining molasses, and hung in the branches of trees,
will catch large numbers : small bright fires made in
various parts of the fruit-grounds, during the nights
of June and July, will attract and destroy many.

PAET Yin.— YAKIETIES.

CONDITIONS WHICH AFFECT THE QUALITY OF THE FRUIT.

GREAT diversity of opinion prevails in regard to the excellence of
every variety of the Pear. This arises from the different character-
istics of the fruit when modified by circumstances. Some of the
conditions unfavorable to the proper development of the fruit are :

First. The fruit of some varieties is small, astringent and
insipid, while the trees are young, but large, delicious, and high-
flavored, when the trees become older.

Second. The fruit may have remained too long upon the tree.
Many kinds are nearly worthless unless picked as soon as the stem
will cleave easily from the spur without breaking, and ripened
with protection from the air and light. They then become nearly
perfect.

Third. Some varieties are only second-rate when grown on the
pear stock, but when grown on the Quince, are ranked as high as
" best."

Fourth. Soils have great influence on the quality of Pears ,
incompatibility of soil often ruining the fruit of the best varieties.

Thus, from lack of knowledge of these conditions, many falla-
cious opinions have been formed, and much disappointment has
followed the attempts to cultivate varieties which, though " first
rate" in their original position, in other places do not find their
special requirements.

TERMS RELATING TO THE QUALITY, SHAPE, &C.

Best, Pears that are of fine texture, melting, very juicy, and
high flavored and the term is applied only to those that possess
all the qualities denoted by buttery, melting, juicy, and high-
flavored.

( 188 )

QUALITIES FOR MARKET CULTIVATION. 189

Very good, denotes varieties that possess all but one of the above
qualities in a high degree.

Good, is applied to those that lack some of the above qualities,
or possess one or two of them in only a moderate degree.

.Fair, indicates that the varieties have some claim to attention,
but not enough to entitle it to a high rank.

Poor, designates those entirely unworthy of cultivation.

Pyriform, denotes the fruit with the small end at the stem, or
approaching in form a cone.

Acute Pyriform, fruit tapering to a point at the stem, like the
Beurre Bosc.

Obtuse Pyriform, the small end rather blunt at the stem, like the
Bartlett.

Depressed Pyriform, the sides immediately below the stem
sunken, as if forming an incipient neck.

Long Pyriform, neck very long, as in the Dix.

Obovate, denotes an egg shape, like that of the Vergalieu.

Turbinate, is roundish, but approaching a point at the stem.

Oblate, flattened at the ends like the Bergamots.

Pyramidal, regularly increasing in size from the base to the stem

Large, a size ranging from the Bartlett to the Duchesse.

Small, ranging between the Seckel and Washington.

Medium, the size of the Lawrence and Vergalieu.

Calyx, the flower end, or the leaves of the flower which remain
on the fruit.

QUALITIES REQUIRED FOR MARKET CULTIVATION.

In this selection of varieties, it has been the writer's purpose to
include none which were of doubtful value, and which have not
been proved, by the most ample experience, to be suited to general
cultivation. The list is carefully made from comparisons of the
experience of the best pomologists, as well as of ordinary cultivat-
ors, from Maine to Georgia, from the lists of Pomological
Societies, and from the writer's personal experience and observation.
The rules observed in the formation of this list are :

First . The tree must be hardy, able to withstand severe winters,
a strong, vigorous grower, and not liable to crack in the bark, or
to blight.

190 VARIETIES.

Second. The fruit must be of fair size, and if not of first-rate
quality, must be large, and handsomely colored. The only excep-
tions are in favor of the long known and popular varieties.

Third. The variety must be prolific, and come early into bear-
ing. The only exceptions are those admitted by the next rule.

Fourth. The trees must have considerable longevity, and be not
easily exhausted by overbearing.

Fifth. Of the varieties grown on the Quince, only those are
admitted which an experience of ten years, at least, has proved
to possess great affinity for that stock, to acquire thereby higher
flavor, greater size, and to come considerably earlier into bearing.

Sixth. No kind is admitted upon the list, whatever may be its
excellence of flavor, size, or color, if it cracks, cankers, or rots at
the core.

VARIETIES FOR MARKET CULTIVATION, TO
BE GROWN ON PEAR STOCKS.

MOST of the kinds recommended for growing on pear-stocks may
be grown on the Quince : but as their fruit is not materially im-
proved in size and flavor, and as they sometimes fail on that
stock, they are placed in the list for pear-stocks.

BARTLETT.

Williams. | Williams' Bon Chriticn.

FIB8T TO FIFTEENTH 8EPTEMBEB.

While this beautiful and excellent fruit is not allowed by ama-
teurs to take the first rank, it possesses qualities which have se-
cured to it high esteem, and have made it the most popular variety
in this country, since the decline of the Vergalieu, and it is there-
fore to be recommended for profitable cultivation.

FOE MARKET CULTIVATION ON PEAK.

191

It was originally found in Berkshire, England, in 1770, and
brought to Roxbury, Mass., in 1797; under the name of Williams'

Bon Chretien.

Fig. 66.

Both in France and England it was but little esteemed, and it

192 VARIETIES.

affords a striking instance of the fallibility of any standard of taste;
for, while many consider it unsurpassed, not a few regard it as
inferior.

The chief difficulty in growing it results from its precocious and
too abundant fruitfulness. The tree coming into bearing at four
or five years from the bud on its own roots, is often the first time
so overloaded with fruit, that its growth is checked for several
years, and thus it fails to attain fair size in many years.

On the Quince; the Bartlett is the most objectionable variety on
our catalogue. It grows vigorously for two or three years, till
fruiting commences, and then, if it bears abundantly, it perishes
soon after ; and even if carefully managed, and fruit-thinned, it
rarely attains to a vigorous condition. The natural growth of the
Bartlett, unchecked by fruit-bearing, is strong and vigorous ; the
shoots exhibit a peculiar equality of size throughout their entire
length, ending abruptly and bluntly.

As a market pear, it has no superior, taking into consideration
all its qualities — its early bearing, its great productiveness, and
regularity, the fair size and bright lemon tint of its fruit, its melt-
ing, buttery flavor, and its universal popularity. The fruit pos-
sesses a peculiar musky aroma, which somewhat affects the taste.
The pears exhibit a remarkable uniformity of excellence. There
is not that inequality in the product of a tree, that is found in
some varieties — a part very good and a part very poor.

The fruit may be picked when quite green and hard, trans-
ported long distances without injury, and still ripen with perfect
flavor and high color. The Bartlett has, however, some defects.
It is more subject to blight than most other varieties — a consequence
of its strong, succulent, protracted growth. It cannot be grown
on the Quince with success. Its fruit ripens when other fruit is
most abundant ; all the late summer and early autumn fruits dis-
puting the market with it. But it has the advantage of producing
good crops every year.

The French make it succeed much better than others on the
Quince, and they propagate it on that stock largely. Having a
large number grown on the Quince sent me one spring from France,
by mistake, I planted one hundred and fifty — then ordinary-sized

FOE MARKET CULTIVATION ON PEAR.

193

nursery trees — closely together, and allowed them to fruit the
next year. They produced thirteen bushels of handsome fruit,
which I thought compensated for the death of half of the trees the
next season.

BELLE EPINE DUMAS.

Epine Dumas.
Dumas.
Du Eachois.

Dumas de Epchefort
" de Limoges.
" de Eochechouait

OCTOBER.

Fig. 67.

194: VARIETIES.

This pear, when more fully known, must attain a very great
popularity. Its great beauty is only equalled by its excellence.
The tree is vigorous, hardy, and productive, and has the remark-
able peculiarity of producing its fruit in the centre around the
body, seldom bearing on wood less than three years old.

The fruit is of medium size, obovate pyriform, very smooth-
skinned, and free from stain or rust, ripening to a light, but rich
greenish yellow, and full of a sparkling, champagne-flavored juice,
melting, but not quite buttery.

The number of its synonyms is indicative of its wide-spread
reputation in Europe, and we believe it will excel in this country,
as it is one of the very few varieties that have improved by im-
migration.

On the Quince, it is a stocky, vigorous grower, but forms the
weakest union of all the varieties, not excepting the Bartlett.
The pear-stock is decidedly preferable for this variety. I have
not been able to detect any great change in the flavor produced
by growing on Quince, but it thus comes earlier to bearing; and is
more productive while young.

BELLE LUCRATIVE.

Bergamotte Lnc.
Beurrfe Luc.
Bergamotte Fierce.

Seigneur d'Esperin.
Fondante d'Automne.
Groseilliere.

OCTOBER.

A prolific variety, of great beauty, and of such excellence of
flavor as to obtain the highest praise from all pomologists. The
beauty of the fruit, well exposed to the sun, excites extravagant
admiration. The rich gold ground is irregularly mottled and
striped with red and purplish shades. The fruit, somewhat vari-
able, has a mean size, about equal to the Virgalieu : its shape is
uniformly roundish obovate, quite broad at base in proportion to its
height. The calyx is rather small, set in a broad, shallow basin;
the stem is little more than an inch in length, stout, often fleshy.

I think this fruit combines the highest excellences of flavor and
texture. It is entirely melting, with a sugary, vinous flavor, and
most abundant juice, a thin skin, and small core.

FOB MARKET CULTIVATION — ON PEAR.

195

Some pomologists complain of its slow growth and unhealthi-
ness on the Quince ; hut when properly treated, I have been abun-
dantly satisfied with its vigor and healthfulness.

Fig. 68.

The fruit is borne in clusters, the tree is very productive, thin-
ning being often necessary to prevent injury from over-bearing.

196

VARIETIES.

BLOODGOOD.
LAST OF JULY.

This variety originated on Long Island, and was named from
the proprietor of the Bloodgood Nurseries, and considered by him
a seedling.

It is the most gene- Fig. 69.

rally liked and cultivat-
ed of the early pears,
being one of the very
few that have high fla-
vor. Some, however,
give a higher place to
the Julienne, the Ros-
tiezer, and Dearborn's
Seedling; but, after a
comparison of the excel-
lences of all, I consider
the Bloodgood the most
profitable market early
pear. The tree is vig-
orous and hardy, of a
peculiar stout,fine-look-
ing growth, with short
joints, and a reddish
brown color. It comes
into bearing early, and
is productive.

The fruit must be ga-
thered before ripening, and matured under cover. It is small,
and of a thick turbinate form. The skin becomes yellow in ripen-
ing, with russet on one side. Stem moderately long, curved,
slender, and brown, the flesh extending up upon it. It is quite
melting when well ripened, with the most perfumed and aromatio
flavor of all early pears.

FOR MARKET CULTIVATION ON PEAR.

1U7

Fig. 70.

BUFFAM.
GOTO B E E .

It seems unaccountable, that so valuable a variety as this
should be so much
neglected. I am
acquainted with an
orchard of this fruit
that has borne reg-
ularly for more than
twenty years, yield-
ing enormous crops.
This variety is
native of Rhode Is-
land : it has a cha-
racteristic, upright
growth, the branch-
es shooting up al-
most parallel with
the body.

The fruit is beau-
tiful, on one side of
a dull red. shading
to yellowish green
on the other ; ordi-
narily, somewhat
smaller than the
Vergalieu, — but
when thinned, of
equal size, growing
in long, rope-like

clusters ; and when in perfection, delicious with abundant sweet
juice, peculiarly aromatic — often as good, I think, as the Seckel
or Vergalieu, but tending to mealiness when over-ripe.

198

VARIETIES.

COLUMBIA.

NOVEMBEE TO JAHUABT,
Fig.TL

This variety originated in Westchester County, N. Y. Sup-
posed to be from seedlings planted by the French Huguenots. Its

FOE MARKET CULTIVATION ON PEAK. 199

growth is upright, not unlike the Dix, shoots strong and vigorous,
of a yellowish brown. The tree is hardy, grows rapidly, and is
very productive. On account of the long slim stem, and the weight
of the pears, they are liable to he blown off, before maturing, by
high winds. The trees should, consequently, be trained low.

The fruit is large, obovate pyriform, but broadest in the centre.
The skin is quite smooth, of a dusky green before ripening, after-
wards of a greenish yellow, and often golden. Stem set somewhat
to one side.

The fruit is very juicy, of rich, pleasant flavor, when well ripened
— requiring less care in ripening than most others, and although
not melting, and often coarse, is still one of the best market varie-
ties. Its keeping qualities constitute an important excellence. I
have seen this fruit in the windows of fruit-shops as late as the
middle of January, ripening up to nearly first-rate flavor without
care.

It is a favorite with marketmen, on account of remaining so
long in perfection, its freedom from rot, its fair skin, and the high
price obtained for it near the holidays. At that season, it is often
sold for two dollars per dozen. While there are many winter
pears of higher quality, the Columbia has hitherto stood the
strong test of pecuniary profit, under which better fruits have
entirely failed.

200

VARIETIES.

Double Philippe.
Beurre de Misocle

DOYENNE BOUSSOUCK.

!

Nouvelle Boassouck
New Boussouck

This variety, imported from France by \V.M. KEMIICK in 1841,
has attained a high rank, and promises to fill, in some measure,
the gap caused by the failure of the Vergalieu.

It is a strong and healthy grower, but not one of the most vigor-
ous. It is, however, a most constant bearer, and very productive.
It succeeds well on the Quince : but its flavor is not much improved
by it, as far as my experience extends ; and as it is an early bearer
on the Pear, it is not of great advantage to grow it on the former.
The fruit resembles the Vergalieu in form and color, acquiring a

FOR MARKET CULTIVATION ON PEAR.

201

bright lemon yellow, often with a fine blush. It is considerably
larger than the Vergalieu.

The skin is somewhat rough, occasionally, and the form often
slightly irregular, like the Duchesse. Flesh, buttery, very juicy,
and of high flavor ; texture sometimes a little coarse.

FLEMISH BEAUTY.

Fondante des Bois.
Beurre" des Bois.
Bern-re" Spence.

Belle de Flanders.
Bergamotte de Flanders.
Imperatrice de France.

LATE SEPTEMBER TO MIDDLE OCTOBKB.

Fig. 73.

202 VAEIETTES.

The merits of this variety are : a strong, luxuriant growth,
beautiful shape, forming a perfect, but rather open, pyramid, with
but little shortening in ; fruit of large size and fine shape, beau-
tiful color, melting texture, rich honeyed flavor, perfumed aroma,
and great abundance of juice — thus being one of the most luscious
and agreeable of fruits.

It decays, however, soon after ripening, and cannot be left on
the tree as long as most others. It requires to be gathered before
the stem will readily cleave from the spur, and while quite taste-
less and hard.

The fruit is very regularly obovate ; skin, a dark green, chang-
ing to pale yellow on one side, with often a crimson blush, and to
rich russet on the other. Stem slender, about one inch long, set
in very regular but shallow cavity. This variety requires a good
and deep soil, without which it is apt to be inferior, and shy of
bearing. Contrary to the experience of some, I have found this
variety grows well on the Quince, and I have none that excels it
in luxuriance and in beauty of shape without pruning. It has not,
however, reached an age to sufficiently prove its productiveness.

This Pear is a great favorite with pomologists. It occupies a
preeminent place at most horticultural exhibitions. Specimens
are often exhibited measuring thirteen to fifteen inches in circum-
ference, weighing a pound and upwards, of great beauty of form
and color. The shape of this Pear varies less than any other
variety. Dr. GRANT, an eminent horticulturist, gathered from a
tree, eight years planted, 400 pears, which sold for $30.

At the Exhibition for 1857, of the Massachusetts Horticultural
Society, the specimens of Flemish Beauty shown would average
larger than those exhibited of the Duchesse d'Angouleme.

LAWRENCE.

This is a native variety, and ranks high with almost all culti-
vators. It originated on the Lawrence Farm, Flushing, L. I.,
and is considered a hybrid of the St. Germain and Vergalieu. The
tree is hardy, tolerably vigorous, handsomely shaped, and with a

FOR MAKKET CULTIVATION ON PEAK. 203

little pains in pruning, acquires a very regular conical form. A.
characteristic of its growth is, that the branches grow nearly at

No. 74

right angles to the stem, and often nearly opposite to each other,
giving an open head and regular shape. The wood is not stout,
nor yet slender ] it is of a pale brown with a slight yellowish shade,
occasionally armed with imperfect thorns. This variety is remark-
ably free from diseases and defects. I have never known an in-
stance of blight or of cracking of the bark, or of that obstinate
refusal to bear sometimes met with in other kinds.

The fruit much resembles the Vergalieu in size, and in appear-
ance when ripe, though not quite so golden ; but its rich, juicy,

204

VARIETIES.

aromatic flavor, melting and buttery texture, rival that famous
pear in its perfection. It is peculiarly adapted either to late
keeping or early ripening, according as it is differently treated —
being capable of being brought to perfection any time between
Nov. 1st and March 1st. This much increases its value as a
market pear. It brings the highest prices, and is much sought
for by fruit dealers. Mr. JOHN D. WOLFE and Mr. JOHN H.
FERRIS, of Throg's Neck, cultivate it in large quantities, and great
perfection, equaling the best Vergalieus in size, and some speci-
mens much excelling them.

No. 75,

S E C K E L .

FIRST SEPTEMBER TO FIB8T NOVEMBER.

This variety has won and retained the highest popularity, iij
spite of the inferior size of its fruit, its slow growth, and its tardi-
ness in coming into bearing. It is the smallest of the pears
that hold any place in popular esteem, and the trees on pear-
stocks, without extra treatment, are often fifteen years in pro-
ducing their first fruit.

This variety originated
near Philadelphia, and was a
chance seedling. Some Eu-
ropean Pomologists have pro-
nounced it the most highly
flavored of all pears, in which
opinion I by no means concur.
Its flavor is so sweet as to
be sickening to many, and it
lacks the highest essentials
of sparkling, sprightly juice.
The tree is hardy, and
everywhere free from blight,
even where all others are
affected. It is trained to a
pyramidal form easily, with-
out much pruning. The wood
is short-jointed, rather stout,

/

FOR MAEKET CULTIVATION ON PE1E.

205

of an olive brown. The fruit is obovate, brownish ^reen at first,
changing to a dull yellow, with a reddish russet cheek ; stem not
very long; calyx set in a very shallow basin. It has the merit of
long keeping, while ripe, and maybe ripened anytime during Sep-
tember and October. Tn collections, I would advise to plant a
few Seckels on Quince, for trial. It has a tendency to overbear,
when of considerable age, and. in consequence, the fruit becomes
very small.

WINTER NELIS.

Bonne de Malines.
Nellis d'Hiver.

Colmar Nclis.
Beurre de Malines.

DECEMBER

Fig. 76.

206 VARIETIES.

I am decidedly of the opinion that there is no Pear which excels
this in all the good qualities of a fruit. There are but two defects,
and these are not serious. Its appearance is uninviting, much
resembling a russet apple, and the tree is a straggling, irregular
grower, its shoots being thin, twining, and sparsely set. Accord-
ingly, nurserymen sometimes work it high up, on some free grow-
ing variety, to form standards • but I have found no difficulty in
forming tolerably-shaped pyramids by summer pruning.

It is hardy, with tough, close-grained wood, enabling it to
endure extremes ; is a moderately rapid grower, comes into bearing
early, and is very productive j has an open habit unless shortened
in ; leaves small ; wood of a light yellowish brown.

It has been much condemned on the Quince, and I think some-
what unjustly. I have found that, on this stock, it makes a vigor-
ous growth, a very firm union, and fruits well.

The fruit is of medium size, and in the most favorable condi-
tions quite large ; is of a light grayish russet ; roundish, apple-
shaped ; melting, buttery, sweet, high flavored, and very juicy.
To obtain it of large size, the fruit must be much thinned, as the
tree is greatly inclined to overbearing. It grows in long clusters,
resembling ropes of onions. It often ripens by the middle of
November, but by care in preservation, may be kept until Christ-
mas. This variety, Mr. DOWNING says, holds the same rank
among winter fruits that the Seckel does among the autumn.

FOB MARKET CULTIVATION ON QUINCE. 207

VARIETIES THAT MAY BE GROWN ON
THE QUINCE.

IN the first glow of satisfaction with which Pomologists received
the announcement that the much-coveted pear, which demanded
the care of two generations to witness its fruiting, could be grown
successfully upon the Quince, every variety of pear was grown
on every variety of quince, and the consequence was, a disappoint-
ment— whose reflux, for a few years, seemed to threaten the very
existence of quince-rooted pear trees, and cause their extermin-
ation.

It has now become fairly settled, that while all varieties of Pear
will exist upon the quince-root, but few will bear the test of the
following rules, for growing the Pear upon that stock.

1 . The variety must have such an affinity for the Quince, as to
grow equally well upon it and the pear-root — which can only be
known by extensive experiments, by persons in different localities.

2. The sort of pear must be very considerably earlier in coming
into bearing than upon its own roots — in the case of the Bartlett.
but little would be gained by its possessing an affinity with the
Quince, as it is sufficiently precocious in its fruiting to dwarf the
tree on its own stock.

3. The Pear should be 'somewhat improved in size, flavor, and
perhaps, in some varieties, in productiveness.

When all of these conditions are fulfilled, it will be found that
comparatively few varieties imperatively demand the quince-stock
for their perfection. At the same time, almost all can be grown
upon it, by complying with the conditions for their treatment, in
planting, cultivation, and fruiting, viz. :

To bury the Quince some inches below the surface.

To cultivate the ground thoroughly, and supply sufficient nour-
ishment • and

To carefully prevent overbearing when very young.

208

VARIETIES.

BEURRE D:ANJOU.
Nee Plus Meuris. | Ne Plus Mourla.

Fig. 77.

For this noble Pear, we are indebted to Col. MARSHALL P. WILDER,
who imported it from France. Notwithstanding the high claims
made for it by him. it has not only met, but promises to exceed our
expectations of it. Nothing could be finer than the sight of the
specimen trees, ten or twelve years old, in Col. WILDKR'S ground,
loaded with large and fair fruit, as T saw them in the fall of 1857.

It is a most prolific bearer, and, from its size, late keeping, and
the hardy growth of the tree, promises to become one of the best
market fruits. Its period of ripening is usually assigned to Octo-

VARIETIES. 209

her ; but some specimens sent me by Mr. WILDER were sound,
and not quite ripe, when cut on the 10th of December. I have,
however, seen it ripen, for the most part, near the last of October
to the middle of November.

The tree makes a peculiarly stout, upright growth, the branches
of a dark, purplish brown, starting out from the trunk at a con-
siderable angle, but immediately growing upright, and presenting
the appearance of being nearly parallel with the main stem. The
fruit is roundish obovate, often considerably larger, upon one side,
and curving to the other, with a short, straightish stem. The flesh
is quite yellowish, buttery, and with a very rich, sprightly, sub-acid
flavor. The pear must be marked lest.

.E SUPERFI.V.
O 0 T O B E li— NOVEMBER.

The Beurre Superfin is a beautiful Pear, of large size, which,
although comparatively new, has received the unqualified appro-
bation of all pomologists, as possessing all the nice requisites to
entitle it to rank as first-rate. The tree is vigorous, and hand-
somely shaped, and quite early prolific on pear or quince-stock,
and not liable to any of the serious qualifications which modify
our praise of other varieties v The fruit, when fit for gathering, is
of a deep pea-green, resembling the Glout Morceau ; and though
ordinarily ripe late in October, with care will keep to the first
of December. When ripening, it changes to a rich yellow, and
has the rather uncommon virtue of remaining in a condition of
excellence for several days after ripening. It is of the most but-
tery, melting texture, and the abundance of rich, sugary juice, is
a constant source of surprise. It is very regular and constant in
its shape, of a slightly turbinate and obovate shape. This pear
will undoubtedly attain a high popularity, to which the hardiness,
productiveness, and beauty of the tree, and the excellence of the
fruit, richly entitle it.

It originated at Angers, in the grounds of M. GOUBALT.

210

FOR MARKET CULTIVATION ON QUINCE.

BEURRE DIEL.

Benrrfe Royal,
Beurr^ Melon,
Beurre Magnifique,
Beurre Incomparable,
Buerre de Trois Tours,
Beun-6 Melonde de Kops,

Celeste,

Dillon,

Florimond,

Dorothee Eoyal,

Diel,

Gros Dillon,

Fig. 7&

VAEIETIES. 211

This noble Pear is one of the few hardy and profitable varieties
produced by artificial cultivation or design. It is a seedling of VAN
MONS, named in honor of his friend, Dr. DIEL ; and will preserve
the memory of the latter longer than any act of his own busy and hon-
orable life. It is one of the most vigorous varieties in its growth,
and is perfectly successful on the Quince ; and like the Duchesse, its
flavor is greatly improved by that stock. On pear-roots, or when
grown on cold soils, or while the trees are very young, the fruit is apt
to be astringent and coarse ; and I have known excellent cultivators,
unaware of its demands, to regraft the Diel trees with inferior
varieties. While young, it is a shy bearer ; and when in full bearing,
the fruit is so regularly distributed through the tree that thinning
is seldom necessary. The fruit is abundant in juice, of rich sub-
acid flavor, half-melting, somewhat coarse-grained near the core.
The skin is thick, and somewhat astringent, and should be removed
before the fruit is eaten. It is obtuse pyriforrn in shape, of a russet
lemon yellow • stem a little more than an inch long. Its period
of ripening may be prolonged from 1st October to December by
picking early, and packing in close boxes in dry, cool rooms. It
needs more care in ripening than some others. The shoots are a
dark brown, tinged with gray ; inclined to twist with abrupt
curves. Vigorous pruning is necessary to produce well-shaped
pyramids.

In the grounds of Mr. WINCHESTER, of New Haven, trees of this
variety, six or seven years old, which were models of beauty in
shape, produced a crop of fruit in 1856, of which very few speci-
mens weighed less than fourteen ounces, and a considerable num-
ber more than a pound.

At one of the Massachusetts Horticultural Exhibitions, twelve
Beurre Diel Pears were shown which weighed fourteen pounds ;
and Mr. BARRY exhibited four of the same variety, raised in Iowa,
which weighed nearly five pounds.

212 FOB MAKKET CULTIVATION — ON QUINCE.

DUCHESSE D'ANGOULEME.
Des Eparronais. | Eezenas.

FIEST OCTOBEE TO FIFTEENTH NOVEMBEE.

This peerless fruit must be crowned as The Queen of Pears.
Like its patroness, the daughter of the unfortunate Louis XVI., it
was by narrow chances it escaped the axe. Near Angers. Mons.

LE BARON one morning discovered his tenant engaged in

digging around a fine thrifty pear tree — a chance seedling in a
hedge — and on questioning, the Baron found it was for the purpose
of exterminating it, root and branch. " This tree, Mons. Le BARON,
for twenty years bears no fruit." t; No matter," replied Mons.,
'• it is a good thing, to have cut those roots there : it will now bear
fruit; fill up the trench, and we shall see." This rough root-
pruning fulfilled the wise Baron's prophecy, and the succeeding
summer saw it loaded with that queen of fruits. But though
royal, the beautiful Pear was still uncrowned.

One day. the daughter of Louis XVI., was to pass through
Lyons, and its inhabitants deputed a Committee, of which our
friend Mons. LE ROY was one, to receive her appropriately.
Nine fair maidens presented the Duchesse with golden salvers,
on which lay heaped the more precious fruit, and begged her to
bestow upon it her name — and the pear now recognized as the
crowning glory of all fruits, was thenceforward known as the
Duchesse d'Angouleme. There are some who think the pear the
more royal of the two.

It is by far the largest of table-fruits; of rich, aromatic flavor;
melting, though tending to a coarse fibre, near the core, when
badly grown and ripened. Very juicy, and keeping long after
being sufficiently ripe to eat.

The tree is somewhat tender in very cold winters where the
thermometer sinks to 20° or more below zero; but hardy and
strong wooded, and very thrifty, stocky growth on soils of moderate
fertility, and prefers a rich, sandy loam to produce ils highest
excellence. The fruit is often coarse and tasteless on the pear-
fctock : but both tree and fruit seem the most completely fitted for

DUCHESSE D'ANGOULEME.

VARIETIES. 213

the quince-stock of all pears. Grown on this, the size is vastly
increased, the flavor and texture improved, and the low structure
prevents these great fruits from being blown off, while the bud
unites with the quince-stock with so great firmness, that few trees
of this variety ever fracture at the graft, and all seem to grow
with as much vigor as on the pear stock. It must be said, how-
ever, that, like other royal personages, it does not produce great
numbers of fruit, at least when young, though I have often seen
on rich soils, trees loaded as heavily as any other variety. The
fruit must be well thinned, the tree severely pruned, and the soil
rich. The wood is of a light yellow, tending to a reddish bloom
on the sunny side of the young growth. The tree is not very
regular in its shape, but endures severe pruning well.

Specimens of this Pear, weighing two pounds and a half, have
been produced in California; and one which weighed two and a
quarter pounds was raised by Dr. WARD, of Newark, N. J. It is
one of the most profitable market varieties, the largest fruits selling
from two shillings to a dollar each, in the shops of Broadway. I
have picked Duchesse weighing twenty-one ounces, from trees
received from France in the preceding spring, or seven months
previously.

214: FOB MARKET CULTIVATION — ON QUINCE.

EASTER BEURRE.

Doyenn<S d'Hiver, I Doyenne de Printempa,

Belle d'lxelles, Seigneur d'Hiver,

Berg, de la Penticdte, Winter Beurre-,

Beurre1 d'Austerlitz.

MAECH AND APRIL.

Fig. 79.

This late keeping, but rather inconstant fruit, has of late years
received extraordinary attention. It is imported in considerable
quantities every spring by the fruit-sellers, who obtain in March
and April enormous prices for it. It has thus far proved quite

VARIETIES. 215

uncertain in this country, but as far as i can learn, its failure is
the result of neglect of thinning and improper treatment in ripen-
ing. The French greatly excel us in both these processes, and
the imported pears of this variety are almost invariably fine.

It should be understood and remembered that winter pears must
acquire a stock of more concentrated juice than the autumn or
summer varieties ] the sap must be richer in the sugar-producing
principle, and if more fruit is left on the tree than the roots and
leaves can supply with the necessary elements, the consequence is
apparent. Second, that all the juice contained in the fruit at the
time of picking, is necessary to complete the chemical change of
ripening, so that, in proportion as the fruit loses its water, its dry
elements lose their power of uniting and producing a high flavor.
From these facts, it will be perceived, that unless all the juice of
a winter pear is preserved by artificial means, it will be impossible
to ripen it with any degree of excellence, although the fruit is
medium sized, seldom reaching ten ounces. It has been sold in
New York as high as twelve dollars a dozen ; but the more ordi-
nary price for good specimens is three dollars per dozen. Its flesh
is white, and very juicy, buttery, and melting, when well ripened.
It is obtuse pyriform, often a little flattened, dark green, sometimes
reddened on the cheek, and acquiring but a faint yellow in ripen-
ing. It requires a longer season than that of the Eastern States
to come to highest perfection. Its season is March and April ;
occasionally. May and June. The tree is a hardy, vigorous grower ;
bark, a peculiar reddish brown ; shoots, stocky, tending to upright
growth. It is well adapted to the Quince, on which it makes a
strong growth, with much improved fruit.

My recent experience is, that the Doyenne d'Alenpon and Beurre
d'Hiver Nouveau will prove greatly superior to this for general
cultivation. But it is too early to speak decisively.

216 FOB MARKET CULTIVATION ON QUINCE.

GLOUT MORCEAU.

Glout Morccnu,
Colmar d'lliver,

Beurre d'Uardenpont,

Beurre d'Aremberg (erroneously).

DECEMBER TO JANUARY.

Fig. 80.

This excellent pear is of Flemish origin, its name signifying
" greedy morsel," and though plain and unattractive in appear-

VARIETIES. 217

ance, its nobler qualities make it a favorite whenever grown. Its
reputation has sometimes suffered by being confounded with the
Beurre d'Aremberg, a very inferior and dissimilar variety. I
have often received it from France under the latter name. The
d'Aremberg is feeble and tender in growth; shoots starting at
acute angles from the stem, growing upright, of a light reddish
tinge, and on the Quince, the growth is still poorer, and the union
imperfect and feeble. Its fruit is of pyramidal shape, stem short,
stout, fleshy, a little curved, size seldom half that of the Glout
Morceau. Color quite yellow, even while hard and on the tree.
But the Glout Morceau is in every particular dissimilar, but in
no respect more so than in the growth and vigor of the tree, which
is a very vigorous grower, making a handsome pyramid j and though
said to be somewhat subject to the blight, has not proved so on the
quince stock. The wood is of a light brown, clouded with a gray-
ish tinge. It is not very prolific, while young, but quite so, when
more advanced, the fruit being uniformly of good size. It is pecu-
liarly adapted to the Quince, the growth being equal to that on
the Pear, and the fruit much improved. The fruit is of a deep
pea-green, until it matures, when it becomes of a greenish yellow,
with patches of brown russet. The fruit has a rich, sugary per-
fumed flavor, is melting and buttery, and keeps late, flesh colorless
and fine-grained.

In the fall of 1857, I saw in the garden of Mr. VAN DINE, at
Cambridge, Mass., a tree of this variety, on which, it was estimated,
were growing from eighty to one hundred dozen of fine pears, such
as Mr. VAN DINE had for several years sold in Boston for two and
three dollars per dozen. The tree is very tardy in bearing; and
is, therefore, one of those varieties for which the quince-stock is
peculiarly valuable.

10

218 FOK MARKET CULTIVATION ON QUINCE.

LOUISE BONNE DE JERSEY.

Louise Bonne (TAvranches, Bonne Louise d'Avranches.

William the Fourth.

Fig. 81.

'•

VARIETIES. 219

Some discrepancy of the authorities in regard to the names of
this variety, have produced a little embarrassment. M. CAPPE
pronounces the Louise Bonne d'Avranches quite distinct, in which
decision Mr. DOWNING, in an account of his visit to Paris, coin-
cided ; but in his fruit-book he gives the names as synonyms.

It is a native of the Isle of Jersey, where it is produced in higher
excellence than elsewhere.

It has an upright habit of growth, is easily distinguished by its
dark purplish shoots, a little flecked with light grayish spots.
On the Quince, it is an abundant and early bearer, and its flavor
is much improved on that stock. When, however, the trees of this
variety on the pear-stock have attained considerable age, there
does not seem to be much difference in quality between the fruits
grown on both stocks. When it is allowed to fruit too heavily,
or when grown on very young trees on pear-stocks, there is a ten-
dency to astringency, especially in the skin. On the Quince, it
does not readily take the pyramid form, its prolific nature crowd-
ing the wood-buds into fruit-buds, causing a deficiency of branches.
To fill out the cone, it must be more .heavily cut back than other
kinds, to force the dormant buds to push, and form radial branches.
The fruit should be very much thinned, as much more will set
than can be perfected.

The fruit should be picked as soon as the stem will cleave with-
out breaking, as its astringency is increased by ripening on the
tree. This pear is the most abundant in sprightly, subacid. cham-
pagne-flavored juice, of all pears. Its thick skin materially serves
to retain this juice, retarding evaporation : and although considered
by some an objection, it is essential in preserving the excellence
of the fruit. The fruit is often of a beautiful crimson color on the
sunny side.

220 FOR MARKET CULTIVATION ON QUINCE.

VlCAR OF WlNKFIELD.

Cure, Cornice de Toulon,

Monsieur le Curfe. Belle Adrienne,

Belle de Berri, Belle Heloise Clion.

DEOEMBBE.

While this fruit has few of the high qualities that amateurs
now require from a pear, to place it in the first rank, it has still
such valuable properties that it must receive attention. As a
market fruit, there is none which, I think, when all its qualifica-
tions are taken into consideration, will have a higher value. The
tree is very hardy, and probably the most vigorous grower of all
pears, making very stout, curving, and stocky shoots. It comes
quite early into bearing, and has the uncommon fault of maturing
twice the number of fruits which the tree should bear, without
much lessening the quantity borne in succeeding years, or checking
entirely its growth. When the fruit is thinned to one-fourth, or
one-half, the pears reach a very large size, and are much improved
in flavor; but when small, the fruit is astringent, hard, and seldom
ripening so as to be eatable. The first requisites in the treatment
of this fruit are, thinning to the number which will become full
grown, and continuing it upon the tree as late as safety from frosts
will allow. Mr. SAMUEL WALKER and Col. WILDER esteem this
fruit so highly, that they were heard to say, many years ago, that
should they be confined in their choice to a single variety, they would
strongly incline to select the Vicar ; and at the last Pomological Con-
vention, stated that their more recent experience confirmed their
earlier belief. Its hardiness, great vigor, early prolific, and con-
stant bearing — its large size, fine shape, rich color, and late keeping,
overcome the serious objections to it which would condemn any
other fruit. It is never melting, nor high flavored, though richly
perfumed, is often astringent when not well grown, and when
eaten too ripe, is mealy and dry. But when just ripe, it is crisp
and tender, with an over-abundance of juice, of a pleasant acid
flavor, which is particularly grateful, as being enjoyed during the
season when autumn fruits are long gone, and winter fruits not
yet ripened. But it is absolutely necessary that the following

221

222 FOR MARKET CULTIVATION — ON QUINCE.

conditions must be fulfilled. Large size must be obtained by
thinning, to concentrate the saccharine matter of the tree into few
fruits; the pears should be allowed to hang late on the tree;
should be at once removed to a cool room; should be brought out
but few at once to ripen, and should always be eaten before becom-
ing sufficiently soft to be easily indented by the thumb and finger.

Mr. WILLIAM HOWE, of Westchester County, has excelled most
ethers in the production of this pear. I received from him, in the
Fall of 1856, Vicars weighing seventeen ounces, and of beautiful
shape and color. -But these were far excelled by a specimen
received from Oregon, which weighed twenty-eight ounces. A
tree of this variety, five years planted, from the nursery row.
grown by Prof. MAPES, was exhibited at the American Institute
Fair, bearing one hundred and seventy fair-sized pears, far too
many to arrive at the highest perfection. The fruit is large,
curved pyriform, with neck much elongated, and continued up upon
the stem, which is curved, and has flesh around its base.

When placed in the sun. a day or two before ripening, it acquires
a rich golden or lemon-yellow color. It is greatly improved by
growing on the Quince, on which it makes a strong, vigorous
growth, and a firm union, and proving most perfectly adapted to it
in every respect. On deep alluvial, or rich and damp clay soils,
it is somewhat subject to blight.

URBANISTE.

Beurrfe Piquery, Benrre Drapier,

Louise d'Orleans, Count Colonna,

St. Mark.

O OTO B BE — NO VBM 8KB.

This excellent and beautiful pear is a favorite wherever it has
fruited : but the tree is so tardy in bearing, that comparatively few
have proved its excellence. The natural beauty of the tree is
unequalled, as it takes a stout pyramidal shape with scarcely any
pruning, the cone being rapidly filled out with numerous branches
that describe a graceful curve. The hardiness and tardy bearing
of the tree give promise to it of great longevity. The fruit is but
little above the medium size : but its great excellence and freedom

VARIETIES.

from disease or blemish entitle it to the highest rank. It is so
tardy in bearing upon the pear-stock, that it would be a misfortune
if it had proved unfitted for the Quince. It makes a firm union
and vigorous growth upon that stock, and bears eight or ten years
earlier than on pear-roots.

Fig. S3.

Col. WILDER says, that, he has trees of this variety on both
stocks, twenty feet in height, planted twenty years ; and that
while those on quince-roots have borne twelve years, those on

224 FOB MARKET CULTIVATION ON QUINCE.

pear-stock have scarcely produced a specimen fruit. From each
of those on quince, two or three bushels of pears have been gathered
iii a single season.

The fruit is delicious in flavor, highly perfumed, melting, and
without any of those serious faults possessed by some varieties,
such as rotting at the core, cracking, or cankering. The pear is
very smooth, often glossy, ripening to a pale, greenish yellow,
with light russet spots; form obovate, with slightly hollowing sides
near the neck. It is very broad at the calyx end in proportion,
with a wide, deep basing, stem long, and set in a deep hollow.
The wood is of a peculiar light grayish color, without the shading
or tinting of other varieties on the sunny side.

WHITE DOTE\NE.

fit. Michael.
Butter Pear.
Bergalo.
White Beurre.
Yellow Butter.
Doyenne
Virgalieu.

Poire de Simon.
Deans.
• Snow Pear.
Pine Pear.
Poire Monsieur.
Valencia.
Doyenne Blanc.

Beurrfe Blanc.
Common Doyenne.
Kasserbrine.
Butterbrine.
White Autumn Beurrt.
Warwick Bergamot.
Poire de Seigneur.

It is with some hesitation I admit this in the list ; but its great
excellence, abundant crops, and the hardiness of the tree, compel
me to allow it a place, but with the sad qualification that it can-
not be fruited in perfection, with any tolerable certainty, any
where on the Atlantic Coast. It was Mr. DOVTNING'S opinion,
that its failure was the result of the exhaustion of the alkaline
salts of the soil. But this does not prove to be true, for the soil
best supplied with these elements will no more produce perfect
Vergalieus than the poorest soil. The tree grows vigorously,
often loaded with fruit, which soon cankers, covered with a crust
like burnt leather, cracking into irregular fissures, becoming
totally unfit to eat.

On the Quince, however, it is often obtained of great excellence.
But it has not been sufficiently tested to pronounce with certainty
on its uniform success ; and the tide of opinion latterly seems
entirely opposed to it.

The disease manifests itself principally in the region of large
of water — the ocean and great lakes.

VARIETIES.

WHITE DOYENNE.
Fig. 84.

225

This fruit scarcely needs a description — it is of medium size
oblong obovate, becoming golden yellow in ripening, with a ricn
blush on one cheek. It is the very type by which all other Pears
are compared in its melting, buttery texture, and abundant spiced
and high-flavored juice.

The tree is vigorous, of rather upright growth : the yearling
shoots of a yellowish cast, with a pale blush on sunny side j
the older wood, of a slight reddish glow.

There are many seedlings of this variety that approach it in
excellence.

10*

226 VARIETIES.

ADDITIONAL LIST.

THIS second selection of pears is intended to include those hav-
ing most of the properties requisite for the first list, but which are
deficient in some important particular. Some are too new to be
pronounced upon ] some are equal to those of the first list in certain
localities, but not in all ; and generally, they possess too great
excellence of flavor, size, and beauty, to be passed over.

They are all necessary to a complete amateur collection, and
the market-fruit raiser should have at least specimens of every
kind, to test their fitness for his locality. Any of these varieties
may be pronounced best, when the cultivator has the soil and
climate which bring them to their highest perfection, and they
suffer no disparagement by being placed in this list • for they may,
in localities adapted to them, prove superior to any in the first list.
It must be remembered that this selection is made more according
to a marketmaivs calculations of profit and loss, than an amateur's
enthusiastic admiration.

Varieties proved to be adapted to the Quince, will be noted in
the descriptions. Where nothing is stated in regard to the stock,
it may be understood that the pear-stock is best for that variety,
or that it is not sufficiently tested on the Quince.

ANDREWS.

An excellent variety, as far as I have seen, proving a most
hardy tree, a regular and early bearer. The fruit is said to rot
occasionally at the core ; I have never found it to do so. According
to Mr. DOWNING, it never suffers from blight, and I believe does
not on most soils. A large number received by me from a nursery
located on a low, alluvial soil — in fact, a drained mill-pond bed —
blighted badly. Some of my friends who have planted it, are
Usappointed in its flavor and general character. The fruit is long

ADDITIONAL LIST.

227

pyriform, shaped somewhat like the Bartlett, but smaller ; with a
yellowish green and reddish tinge on the cheek. Very juicy, melt-
ing, with a delicious sparkling flavor.

ANA^7AS D'ETE.

SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBKB,

Fruit excellent, fine
grained, buttery, mel-
ting, from medium
size to large; abun-
dant sugary juice,
of rich flavor, and
perfumed when per-
fect. Skin rough,
coarse, — yellowish
green, with large rus-
set roughness flecked
over it. Shape py-
riform, tapering quite
regularly to the stem,
which is set without
depression, is straight,
and is of medium
length. The fruit
is very variable, and
sometimes quite poor.
Ripens in September
and October, though
termed by the French
Summer Pineapple.

Fig. 85.

228

VARIETIES,

BEURRE GRIS D'HIVER NOUVEAU.

Beurrfc gris de Lucon.
•* d'Hiver,

Beurre gris Superienr,
Beurre de Fontenay.

DECEMBER TO FEBBTTABY.

This pear will be highly appreciated when better known, being
one of the most su-
gary, juicy, melt-
ing, and buttery of
winter pears ; —
much resembles the
Winter Nelis in tex-
ture and flavor, but
is more sparkling
and juicy. Fruit
from medium size
to large, obovate.
slightly depressed
on one side, anl
hollow on the other.
Stem stout and
thick, skin, rough
golden russet, often
with a handsome
blush, dotted with
russet spots. This
pear is the largest
and handsomest of

the russets. Tree moderately vigorous, very productive, with dark
brown, almost reddish wood ; promises well on the Quince. Its
late keeping — December to February — its ripening without the
constant variability of the Easter Beurre, and other winter varie-
ties, will give it a high reputation.

ADDITIONAL LIST.

229

BEURRE ST. NICHOLAS.
Duchesse d'Orleans. | St. Nicholas.

DECEMBER TO JANTTABY.

Is placed in the highest rank by all who
have fruited it. Very juicy, melting, with
a highland rather aromatic flavor. Obo-
vate pyriform, swollen at the centre,
medium size to large, light yellowish
green, and occasionally a blush dotted
with brown. Stem long, stoutish. curved,
with fleshy insertion.
It has grown well with
me on the Quince, and
makes a handsome py-
ramid. Ripens in Sep-
tember and early No-
vember.

Fig.

230

VARIETIES.

BEURRE D'AREMBERG.

Due d'Aremberg.

L'Orpbeline.

Descnamps.

Orpheline d'Engheen.
Beurre d'Orphelines.
Colmar Deschamps.

PBBEUAET.

I intended to place the Beurre d'Aremberg upon tne list of
rejected varieties, but in deference to the American Pomological
Society. I give it here a description. This name has been often
erroneously applied to the Glout Morceau. The high claims made
by the friends of this variety have not proved well founded : it

Fig. 88.

ADDITIONAL LIST.

231

being short-lived, cankerous, and unwholesome on tho Quince, very
difficult to ripen, often woody and astringent ; fruits early, of fair
size and color, keeps like a black walnut, and tastes like one eaten
— husk and all. Stem thick, irregular, fleshy, declined. Fruit
obovate, short pyriformj said by some to be "good," even "best."
But it cannot be recomended for general culture.

BEURRE D'AMALIS.

OCTOBER.

Large, productive, fine flavored, often as good as the Bartlett.

Tree a prodigious
rampant grower,
difficult of re-
straint. The fruit
has the defect of
never attaining
more than a dun,
dusky yellowish
green, sometimes
with a faint blush,
and is far from
attractive in ap-
pearance. Flesh
yellowish, often
somewhat coarse,
must be eaten im-
mediately on rip-
ening, soon beco-
ming mealy and
insipid. Shape,
short obovate, in-
clined to irregular
turbinate. Stem
long, oblique, ca-
lyx open, basin
shallow

Fig. 89.

VARIETIES.

Fig. 90.

BEURRE Bosc.
Bosc's Haschenbirne.

NOTEMBEE.

A most beautiful, tapering
pyriform fruit, with a thin, long
neck, and long curved stem. It
is of the highest excellence, the
best of the Van Mons Seedlings ;
but it is feeble in growth and
constitution, especially when
young. Shoots dark brown, thin
and long. The fruit is borne
somewhat thinly over the tree,
never in clusters, is a rich russet
brown, but-
tery, melt-
ing, of most
delicious fla-
vor, white
flesh, pecu-
liar shape,
which once
seen, cannot
be mistaken,

ADDITIONAL LIST.

233

BEURRE LANGELIER.
PBOEMBER AND J A >' U A K Y ,

Fig. 91.

Anew variety, which I have not thoroughly tested; but so
esteemed by the older pomologists, that it must receive a place in
this list. Fruit medium size, somewhat irregular obovate pyri-
form, tending to turbinate, contracting near the neck like Nouveau

234: VARIETIES.

Poiteau. Stem stout, rather long, set without depression on the
obtuse end of the pear. Basin often furrowed j calyx set deep in
it. Color lively green, changing to pale yellow in ripening, with
reddish blush, and russet dots. Flesh yellowish white, and when
well ripened, melting with abundant, rich, sprightly, subacid juice.
Good on Pear, somewhat better on Quince. Tree vigorous and
productive. Season during December and January.

BEURRE CAPIAUMONT.

Captanmont. | Aurora Beurrfe.

This pear deserves a place in this list, not so much from the
quality of its fruit as from the great hardiness, productiveness,
and beauty of the tree. It is a vigorous grower. Fruit medium
size, very regular, long turbinate, tapering insensibly into the
stem, which is long, thin, and curved. Quite sweet, melting,
buttery, fine-grained and high flavored, but often astringent, its
quality being quite variable. Skin smooth, clear yellow, with
russet red cheek.

BEURRE CLAIRGEAU.

NOVEMBEB TO JANUARY.

This most noble and beautiful pear disappointed the too sanguine
expectations that attended its first introduction ; but the reaction
will turn in its favor, and it will be fairly appreciated. The fruit
is rather coarse in texture, and not always of high flavor ; flesh
yellowish, and, when quite in perfection, buttery, juicy, with a
pleasant, perfumed flavor, and rather granular texture. It is
large, pyriform, obtuse, one-sided, keeps well; is good on Quince,
and will certainly prove a valuable market fruit. Tree bears as
early as the Bartlett ; wood much resembling it.

It is certainly one of the most gorgeous of fruits, coloring with
a peculiar gold bronze tint, shading into a brilliant red blush, and
when borne, as often occurs, upon trees only two or three years
from the bud, and acquiring a size even larger than in the cut,
presents a strikingly beautiful appearance. The Clairgeau ripens

JiKl.:UKE CLAIEGEAU.

ADDITIONAL LIST.

235

with a peculiarity which is worthy of notice. While most fine
pears lose greatly in quality by over-ripening, becoming rotten at
the core, insipid, or mealy, the flavor of this pear is much improved
when apparently verging on decay. Indeed, when a considerable
portion of the exterior has decayed, the interior will be sound, and
retain its flavor, a quality that will not be despised by those who
have ripened the core-rotting pears.

BEURRE GIFFARD.

MIDDLE OF ATTGTTST.

In quality and size,
this beautiful pear
ranks highest among
the August varieties.
It approaches nearest
the standard of buttery,
melting, juicy, and high
flavored pears. But on
the other hand, the tree
is of feeble and strag-
gling growth ; growing
not more than half as
rapidly as most others.
It is of a peculiar red-
dish tinge, branching
at obtuse angles. Fruit
a little larger than me-
dium, pyriform or long
turbinate ; stem and
fruit merging insensi-
bly. Skin yellow, when
ripe, with a red flush,
often appearing mot-
tled.

Fig. 92.

236

VARIETIES.

CHURCH.

SEPTEMBER

Fig. 93.

The original tree still stands in New Rochelle, Westchcstcr
County, N. Y., and is traced by Mr. BERKMANS to the Huguenot
settlers. It is remarkable, lhat wherever the Huguenots settled,
the Pear abounds, and native varieties of great excellence are
common. Around New llochelle also originated the Parsonage,
the Huntington, and others of less note.

The Church Pear is irregular angular, oblate turbinate ; stem,

ADDITIONAL LIST.

237

long, stout ; skin, yeliow when ripe ; flesh, very buttery, melting
and juicy, with perfumed rix;h flavor when in perfection. Tt has
been claimed as the Platt, which it much resembles, but the iden-
tity has not yet been established.

Tree vigorous, healthy, a great bearer.

DEARBORN'S SEEDLING.

AUGUST.

A very nice, juicy little Pear, grown for more than forty years
around Boston, where it originated.

Tree, a most pro- Fig. 94.

lific bearer particu-
larly repugnant to
the Quince.

Fruit, when per-
fect, very juicy, al-
most melting, and
of a refreshing,
sprightly flavor,but
it is quite often in-
sipid and flavor-
less, and always
so small as to be
unfit for market
cultivation. Skin
very smooth and
clear, slightly dot-
ted ; ripening with
a uniform light
yellowish glow.
Shapenearly round,
stem long. Ripens
in middle August,
but is not in eating
condition quite as
soon as the Bloodgood.

238 VARIETIES.

Gray Benrr6,
Golden Beurre,
Beurre tlu Koi,
Isambert,

BEURRE BROWN.

Brown Butter,
Beurre d'Amboise,
Beurre" d'or,
Eed Beurre,

SEPTEMBER.

Beurrt? Rou^e,
Beurre Doree,
B. de Treveureu,
Beurre Butter.

These are but few of the synonyms of this once popular Pear,
When in perfection it takes the first rank for melting, buttery
texture, abundance of juice and delicious sub-acid flavor, but it is
the very chameleon of Pears, and is so uncertain that but few can
reasonably hope to ever bring it to its highest excellence.

Fruit, rather large, oblong obovate, stem and flesh meeting
without shoulder or basin ; skin, a little rough and rusty, and
color " such as the gods please." Unfit for general cultivation.

DELICES D' HARDENPONT, OF BELGIUM.

NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER.

The Tree is described by BERKMANS as feeble and unhealthy in
Belgium ; but growing much better in this country, where it is
still not very vigorous. Shoots long and upright.

Fruit regularly pyramidal, tending to turbinate, sometimes
angular; stem short, thick; skin rather rough ; yellowish green
when ripe. Flesh buttery, melting, very juicy, sweet and highly
perfumed.

BEURRE HARDY.
Beurrfe Sterkman.

SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER.

Fruit large, obovate pyriform, one-sided like the Beurre d'Anjou,
light reddish green, with brownish spots : stem stoutish, of medium
length, inclined, set in a moderate cavity with a high shoulder on the
larger side ; calyx much spread : basin broad and shallow ; buttery,
melting with great quantity of rich, sparkling, vinous, perfumed
juice. The tree grows vigorously on both pear and quince.

ADDITIONAL LIST.

DlX.

TO DECEMBEB

The Dix is a native of Boston.
It has tasked to the utmost the pa-
tience of cultivators by its tardiness
in bearing. Col. WILDER and Mr.
B. B. FRENCH have grown the jtrees
nineteen years without obtaining
the first peck of fruit.

Fruit very large, long pyriform,
rich deep yellow when
ripe strongly marked with
irregular russet spots.
Stem stout, not quite short,
set with a lip turned
against its base, in a
slight depression. Flesh
melting, suga-
ry and very
juicy, and al-
though not en-
tirely free from
a little coarse-
ness, is most
rich and delici-
ous. Does not;
succeed on the
Quince.

240

VARIETIES.

DOYENNE SIEULLE.
Sieulle, I. Beurrd Sieulle, | Bergamotte Sieulla.

Fig. 96.

This is a most excellent fruit, rather large, very juicy and but.
tery, somewhat coarse-grained, about half melting. Shape pecu-
liar roundish obovate, and rather angular. Skin, bright, dark green,
changing to a greenish yellow, much dotted with green spots.

The hardiness and vigor of the tree and remarkable produc-
tiveness entitle it to high estimation as a market pear, although
the fruit is hardly high-colored enough for the whimsical taste of
a capricious public.

Its growth indicates fitness for the Quince. Sea-son. October
and November.

ADDITIONAL LIST. 24:1

DOVENNE D'ALENOON.

Doyeimfe Gris d'Hiver Nouveau, I St. Michael .nilver.
Doyenne Gris d'Hiver d'Alencon, | New Gray Winter Vergaliea.

DBOEMBKE TO APRIL.
Fiff. 97.

Although not yet sufficiently tested, this pear has received the
highest praise, wherever well cultivated. I have proved speci-
mens from several localities, and all were excellent. The tree is
vigorous, of handsome shape, easily trained to a pyramid, does
exceedingly well, and is best on the Quince. Fruit, obovate. obtuse
pyriform, with rough, thick, astringent skin of russet green, with
coarse russet spots. Flesh, rather coarse-grained, yet melting
juicy, and almost buttery, with a sprightly vinous and rich flavor.

With proper treatment it keeps till April, which makes it valu-
able for a market Pear. If kept warm it ripens in December.

11

242

VARIETIES.

FREDERIC OF WIRTEMBERG.

Eol de "Wirtemberg. | King of Wirtemberp

Vemuleu d'Ete.

ADDITIONAL LIST.

248

I cannot bring myself to slight this gorgeous fruit, or rate it
as low as some pomologists. It is certainly the most beautiiul
object that has been colored by the pencil of nature. It hangs*
upon the tree like a drop of gold and crimson, its tints deepening
day after day. The flesh is white, melting, and delicious ; and
when in perfection, sweet and buttery — leaving little to be desired
by the taste of the eater. Its growth is singular; the leading shoot
is tall, stout, stocky, with few or no radial branches. Does not
easily take the pyramidal form.

FULTON .
OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER.

The Fulton is a beauti-
ful Bergamot-shaped Pear,
of a dark, russet brown;
— rich, sprightly flavor,
often ; and although not
juicy, is not by any means
dry.

Fig. 99.

The tree is said to be
hardy, but a poor grower.
It has admirers who claim
for it the best qualities;
but in my experience it is
too small for a market
Pear.

244

VARIETIES.

GOLDEN BEURRE OF BILDOA

SEPTEMBER.

One of the most
clear, golden-skin-
ned, and beautiful
of fruits. It is usu-
ally capped with a
rich russet around
the stem, which is
quite long and
slender, set in a
very slight basin.
It is quite small,
and not unfre-
quently much re-
sembles the DEAR-
BORN'S Seedling. It
is often far from
buttery, occasion-
ally a little acid,
with an abundance
of sprightly juice.
When perfect, it is
buttery, melting,
of a rich, pleasant
sub-acid flavor.

Good on Pear 01
Quince.

Fig. 100.

ADDITIONAL LIST.

245

Doyenne Grfc,

14 Roux,
" Galouge,

GRAY DOYENNE.

Gray Doyenne,
Ked «

Gay

Gray St. Michael,
Doyenne rTAutonme,
St. "Michael Dore.

OCTOBEB TO D B C E M B B K .

Fig. 101.

When in perfection, this fruit cannot be too highly praised, but
unfortunately, like the White Doyenne, i;- subject to cracking and
spotting, until it loses the very semblance of a Pear. It much re-
sembles the White Doyenne. It is a little rounder than the Verga-
lieu, with flesh of the same delicious, melting, buttery, fine-grained
texture, and like the latter, is in every respect the very type of
excellence.

It will not come to perfection on the Atlantic Coast.

246

VARIETIES.

I know of no reason why this should not be ranked first-rate,
except that it lias not been extensively proved. It was raised from
the seed by a gentleman in New Haven, whose name it bears. It
is classed by the American Pomological Society for general cul-
tivation.

ADDITIOXAL LIST.

247

The fruit is large, obtuse pyriform. obovate ; stem rather more
than an inch long, curved, and set within a cavity : skin a clear,
rather pale yellow when ripe, with small russet dots, and occasion-
ally a faint blush. Flesh very melting, with a rich, sparkling,
slightly acid juice, faintly perfumed. The tree is vigorous, but
not very productive when young, has not been much proved on
the Quince.

Citron des Cannes,

MADELEINE.
I

Magdalen.

A favorite from its early ripening.
in perfection, melting and
juicy, of small size, some-
what obovate, tending to py-
riform ; stem long and curved,
skin smooth, light, yellow
green.

The fruit is very often far
from first-rate: the tree is
very liable to blight.

It is surprisingly vigorous
in its growth, in favorable
locations, and is so regular in
the formation of its branches
as to readily form a hand-
some pyramid.

We shall look in vain,
however, for high flavor, or
great excellence, in pears
ripening so early, but as the
taste has not become criti-
cal by comparison with au-
tumn pears, we are more
easily satisfied.

It is very delicious when
Fig. 103.

248

VARIETIES.

MARIE LOUISE.

Farim Maria Louise. } Marie chrea.na*

Fig. 104.

This is a most excellent and beautiful pear, but the tree is a
feeble straggling grower, forming numerous shoots: easily shaped

ADDITIONAL LIST. 249

to a pyramid, but continually escaping from it with its sweeping,
curling growth. Fruit large and beautiful, oblong, curved pyri-
form ; stem long, curving to the smaller side, set in a slight de-
pression with a shoulder on the larger side • a rich, clear yellow
when ripe; cheek marked with russet spots; flesh a little irregular
in quality, but usually buttery, melting to a remarkable degree
with a delicious sugary, sparkling flavor. Does not succeed on
Quince. Season, first to middle of October.

NAPOLEON.

Medaille, I Eoi de Eome,

Sucree Douce, Poire Liard.

8EPTEMBEB AND OCTOBER.

This beautiful and delicious pear has only in few instances
sustained its European reputation in this country. It has not
generally succeeeded on the Quince : on the Pear it is a beautiful
and vigorous grower. From observation, I conclude that strong,
rich clay soils are best suited to it, and that it does only moderately
well on light or porous ones. Its foliage is peculiarly beautiful,
having large glossy leaves like the lemon tree.

Fruit, medium to large size, with very smooth, clear, green skin,
ripening to a pale clouded yellow. Stem, stoutish and rather
short, set in a slight depression ; calyx in a broad shallow basin.
Flesh white, melting, being but little more than so much sprightly
vinous juice when perfect. Many cultivators are confident that
the older trees will quite uniformly bring the fruit to perfection,
with proper care in ripening.

It is certainly, when in perfection, one of the highest flavored
pears, containing, as has been said, so great an abundance of de-
licious juice. Its most serious defects are, the small size it attains
in unfavorable soils, and the occasional spotting and cankering
characteristic of the White Doyenne.

It has the same thin smooth skin, as the latter pear — a peculiar-
ity of those pears which canker.

11*

250

VARIETIES.

NOUVEAU POITF.AU,
K O V EM B E B.

Fig. 105.

A vigorous, handsome tree, the fruit of which. Colonel WILDER'*
description, in 1850, has not too highly colored. In size, the fruit
often nearly equals the Bartlett: obtuse pyriform. somewhat
sunken near the neck; stem short, stoutish, set without any
depression; calyx very open, with the parts turned back. The

ADDITIONAL LIST.

251

fruit is not attractive, being of an opaque green, with an occa-
sional blush on the cheek; but its melting, juicy character, and
rich, sugary flavor, delights every palate. To insure perfection, it
should be grown on the Quince.

ONONDAGA.
Swan's Orange. | Orange.

SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER.

Fig. 106.

252

VARIETIES.

In a rich, strong, clay soil, this is a noble, beautiful, and deli»
cious fruit, but it is liable to great variation. The tree is quite
distinguishable by its vigorous and naturally pyramidal form of
light grayish shoots. It is very productive, and grows equally
well on Pear or Quince. The fruit, when perfect, is melting, but-
tery, and juicy, but always a little granular, and sometimes acid.
It is of a rich, deep yellow, relieved by russet dots ; and from its
color and obovate shape, was named Orange. It is more often an
obtuse pyriform, thickest in the centre, divided into five lobes,
between the centre and calyx. It is a splendid market fruit, not
always first-rate, and only adapted to certain localities. Its
average is equal to that of the Duchesse ; but the largest never
equals in size the best specimens of the Duchesse.

OSWEGO BEURRE.

OCTOBER TO DEOZMBEB.
Fig. 107.

ADDITIONAL LIST.

253

Originated in Oswego, New York, by Mr. W. READ. Its great
hardiness, long-keeping, and excellence, make it worthy of general
cultivation. It is vigorous and productive. Fruit medium size,
oblate roundish, a beautiful cinnamon russet, becoming yellowish
when ripe. Stem short, set deep in a very regularly rounded
basin. Flesh buttery, melting, juicy, high-flavored, and aromatic.

PARSONAGE.

SEPTEMBER.

Fig. 108.

254: VARIETIES.

01 the same origin as the Church, and nearly equal excellence.
Fruit from the medium size to large, obtuse pyriform. and obovate;
skin nearly orange yellow, with a dull red blush, and somewhat
russety ; stem short, thick, fleshy at its insertion ; flesh melting,
sugary, with rich sparkling juice : high flavored, but a little coarse
and granular.

PARADISE D'AUTOMNE.

Calebasse Bosc. j Princesse Marianne.

Maria Nouvelle.

Generally mistaken at first sight, for the Beurre Bosc, which it
closely resembles. But the tree of the Bosc is comparatively
feeble, while that of the Paradise is strong and vigorous. Fruit
large, pyriform, tapering up upon the stem, which is often nearly
two inches long and curved ; skin, a rich, yellowish brown russet.
Flesh white, buttery, of very rich delicious flavor.

Colmar Gris.

Passe Colmar Epinceaux.
Colmar Souveraine.
Colmar Proule.

PASSE COLMAR.

Ananas d'lliver.
Colmar Hardenpont.
Souveraine d'l liver.
Fondante de Mons.

Passe Colmar Gris.

" Nouveatu
Co! mar Doree.
Fondante de PaniseL

NOVEMBER TO JAKTTAEY.

There are many other besides these more common synonyms.
It is such an abundant bearer, that the fruit, especially on young
trees, must be thinned to one-third or one-half, to come to perfec-
tion. The growth is often so luxuriant as to absorb too much the
energies of the tree in one direction, unless pinched back.

This variety affords a fine comparison with the Duchesse, show-
ing the cause of more or less abundant fruiting after abundant
blossoming. In the Passe Colmar the pistils and stamens of every
flower are strongly and perfectly developed. While in the Duch-
esse many are imperfect, and but a comparatively small number
of pears are produced.

The fruit grows in clusters, fair size, and first-rate quality when
thinned; flesh yellowish white, buttery, melting, juicy: rich aro-
matic flavor. It needs care and shelter in ripening. It is obtuse
pyriform ; sides suddenly depressed above the centre, giving the

ADDITIONAL LIST.

255

appearance of a lorg pyriform whose base had been pressed up and
swollen at the centre. Skin becomes whitish-yellow long before
maturity, ripening to a bright yellow, with russet brown spots.
Stem long, inserted without depression ; calyx open ; basin shallow

ROSTIEZER.

A fine little summer pear, from Germany, and though not long
in this country, has gained

hosts of friends. And al-
though we must not expect
large size and high flavor
in summer pears, this vari-
ety usually approaches near-
est to the fine rich flavor of
our best autumn pears. It
is very juicy and sweet, with
a pleasant aromatic taste.
Pyriform, with a long slen-
der, curved stem. Skin a
yellowish-green, often with
a sunny-brown cheek. Tree
vigorous, growing well on
the Quince. .

It is like all the summer
pears, very greatly improved
by gathering before becom-
ing quite ripe : and the
terms of quality bestowed
upon them will never be
found appropriate or truth-
ful, except under this con-
dition.

Fig. 10».

256

VARIETIES.

Native. Fruit, medium to large size; beautiful yellowish
brown ; the cheek a rich, deep, reddish brown; remarkably smooth
skin ; almost bergamot-shaped, remarkably regular ; stem inserted
•without depression ; rich, juicy, melting, high-flavored, when first-
rate ; quite often insipid, tending to mealiness and rot at the core,
when over-ripe. Tree handsome, vigorous, productive, not suffi-
ciently proved on the Quince. During October.

ADDITIONAL LIST.

SOLDAT LABOUREUR.

OCTOBKB AND NOVEMBER.

. Fig. 111.

257

It is quite surprising that this pear has not made more progress in
public esteem. Tree remarkably vigorous, rampant grower, diffi-
cult to restrain, but, with care, forming good pyramids. The fruit
I consider of the nighest excellence. It is medium to large size,
nearly obtuse pyriforrn, with quite sunken sides, which recede
suddenly near the centre, giving the lower half a swollen appear-
ance. Skin quite yellow while hard and unripe, ripening to a
very bright yellow with small russet dots. Stem long, quite thick,

258

VAKIETIES.

curved, basin small and shallow. It has often, even when quite
melting, coarse particles in the flesh : but it is so rich, juicy, and
sweet, high-flavored, or occasionally perfumed, that it must rank
best. The flavor is best on the Quince.

ST. MICHAEL ARCHANGE.

OCTOBEE.

The tree of this variety is of unsurpassed elegance. Fruit, long

pyriform, large,
greenish yellow,
dotted with rus-
set. Stem not
long, quite fleshy
at base, set with-
out cavity. Flesh
melting, some-
what granular,
full of rich, aro-
matic juice, and
when in perfec-
tion, excelled by
few. Excellent
on quince or pear,
and very produc-
tive.

This pear has
had the fortune
of many other
fruits, to acquire
a reputation for
mediocrity, be-
cause it was
judged from fruit
taken from young
trees.

Fig. 112.

ADDITIONAL LIST.

259

Fig. 118.

TYSON.

LATE IN AUGUST.

A native of the vicinity of Philadelphia, known before the pre-
sent century. It has
never come into gene-
al cultivation, though
recommended by the
American Pomologi-
cal Society. A vigor-
ous and upright grow-
er, young shoots red-
dish brown: a very
tardy, but abundant
bearer. Fruit, small
to medium, pyriform,
tapering to the stem,
which is long, curved,
and set with a fleshy
junction,usuallyswol-
len on one side ; dull
yellow, with russet
red blush on thecheek,
often with dark, al-
most black, spots.
Flesh white, melting,
and juicy, with rich,
sugary, aromatic fla-
vor. For most local-
ities, perhaps, fully
equal to the Blood-
good. Should be
grown on the Quince
on account of its lar-
dinesa

260

VARIETIES.

WATERLOO.

Fondante Charmeuse,
Desiree Van Mons,
Exccllentissima,
Beurre Charmeuse,

Belle Excellent,
Delices des Charmeusea,
Beurre de Waterlo,
Due de Brabant.

OCTOBBB AND NOVEMBKB.

A beautiful, ex-
cellent Belgian
Pear, more com-
monly known as
Fondante Char-
meuse. It is vig-
orous and produc-
tive, and promises
•well for general
cultivation. Fruit
large, pyriform,
with uneven sides;
calyx large; basin
rather deep and
irregular; stem
long and curved,
set in flesh rising
to meet it; flesh
verybuttery. melt-
ing with abund-
ant rich, vinous
juice ; s-kin green-
ish, with deep
crimson blush.

Fig. 114

PAET IX.— GATHEKING, MABKETIXG,
FKUIT-KOOMS.

SOILS AS AFFECTING- QUALITY OF PEAKS.

THERE is nothing more striking in the cultivation of this fruit
than the variation of flavor and texture in the same varieties, on
different soils. This causes the vexatious contradictions respect-
ing the value of any and every variety. To one, the Louise Bonne
de Jersey seems to deserve all the execration, and to another all
the adulation, which words can express.

The color of any variety also varies on different soils, so that
the fruit almost defies identification. But this change is as often
the result of cultivation. The Louise Bonne de Jersey and the
Beurre Diel are particularly noted for their superiority on sandy
loams, while the Onondaga and Virgalieu are best on strong clay
soils.

The adaptation of soils to different varieties can only be ascer
tained by individual experiment.

THINNING FKTJIT.

Good soils, fine cultivation, healthy and vigorous trees, and all
the other requisites of pear-growing, will often fail of producing
fine fruit, if all that sets is allowed to remain on the tree. The
fruit of the Bartlett, Dearborn's Seedling, the Louise Bonne de
Jersey, and many other varieties, will set in such quantities, that
if thinning is neglected, not one half will reach full size, or acquire
their true" flavor. Besides, these varieties yield fruit so early, that
the trees would be ruined by this precocious fruitfulness. Two
years after planting, these varieties will commence bearing, and
not more than from two to a dozen specimens should be allowed
to ripen annually on each tree, until the fifth year. The period
( 261 )

262 GATHERING, MARKETING, AND FRUIT-ROOMS.

for thinning is, when the pears are from a half to three quarters
of an inch in diameter ; for, as many fall soon after forming, it is
not until then the healthy and perfect ones can be distinguished.
Not more than one-half of the thinning should be done at once,
and the others may be allowed to remain until we can ascertain
the imperfect fruit to be removed.

GATHERING.

There are but few of the finer varieties that are not improved
by gathering before . they are fully ripe. Not a few have been
discarded as unworthy of cultivation, which, by early picking, im-
prove so as to rank among the first in excellence. Several varie-
ties rot at the core when left upon the tree till fully ripe, which
will keep for weeks when picked earlier. Among these are, the
Flemish Beauty, Beurre Diel, and sometimes the Louise Bonne de
Jersey.

The true test of the proper condition for gathering is, the cleav-
ing of the stem from the spur, without breaking, when slightly
raised. Some varieties, indeed, should not be left so long even as
this ; the fruit should not be picked in a wet and cloudy day, or in
early morning when the dew is upon it, as its flavor is much
affected by the moisture, and its keeping properties much injured.
When it is necessary to gather it under such circumstances, it
should be exposed to the light and air until completely dry. Pears
picked in the middle of a sunny day are much superior in flavor,
and keep better; early gathering is only necessary for the summer
and autumn varieties. On the other hand, the late-keeping and
winter kinds should be picked as late in the season as the frost
will allow. Some of them, such as the Easter Beurre, require a
long season to mature.

A dry and moderately cool apartment should be appropriated to
the storage and ripening of summer fruits, and to no other pur-
pose at the same time,

There is no doubt, that under certain conditions of heat and
moisture, absorption as well as evaporation goes on through
the skin of the pear. If vegetables are stored in one part of the
room, harnesses and lumber in another, and decaying apples and

• MARKETING PEAKS. 263

peaches, and perhaps the rubbish and debris of last year's opera-
tions remain in a third, feculent exhalations are absorbed by the
skin of the fruit in sufficient quantities to change its flavor.

Mr. WM. REED, of Elizabeth, whose nursery is almost the per-
fection of taste and skill, after having expressed strong disapproval
of the quality of the Vicar, at the meeting of the Pomological
Society, writes, with characteristic frankness, to the President : u I
must withdraw my observations against the Vicar, for since our
meeting I have ripened mine in a new fruit-rcom. and found the
fruit perfectly melting — more than good — nearly first-rate."

MARKETING PEARS.

A number of pear cultivators have experienced great disappoint-
ment in the marketing of fine fruit, from the indifferent prices
offered. This has always been entirely due to improper gathering
and ripening. Marketmen will not buy fruit already ripe, to be
kept for several days for sale to the retailers, who, in turn, must
keep it as long for sale to the consumers ; nor will the retailers buy
pears entirely green, as few of them are sufficiently acquainted
with the varieties, to be certain how they will ripen up in color
and in flavor.

Some of the fruits should ripen in the hands of the large dealers,
that they may be exhibited as samples, being put in their hands
when green and hard. The great mistake usually made by pear-
growers is, to send the fruit to market after ripening, in such a
condition that it will not bear transportation, and often reaches
its destination badly jammed, if not a mass of rottenness.

The second error is, for the grower to endeavor to market his
own fruit. Few retailers will, in such cases, offer more than one-
third or one-half of the price they expect to pay when their trade
demands an immediate supply.

Bruising in the gathering is not unfrequently the cause of a low
price. Bruised fruit will not bring one quarter of the current
rate. The rules which should guide a fruit-grower in marketing
his fruit are these :

1 . Summer and autumn varieties must be picked, and sent to
market when green and hard, must be packed tight in barrels or

264 GATHERING, MARKETING, AND FKU IT-ROOMS.

cases, with coarse matting around the sides, top, and bottom, so
that they cannot shake about.

2. They must be directed plainly to some reputable commission
salesman, whose entire business is the sale of fruit, giving him
instructions to keep them, until, in his judgment, they would sell
to the best advantage. The price thus obtained will usually far
exceed that which the grower could procure for himself.

3. The price of pears is governed by their color and size, as
well as by their flavor. The Seckel is the only exception to the
rule, that none but yellow pears will command the highest price.

COLORING AND RIPENING OF SUMMER AND AUTUMN
PEARS.

While many varieties will ripen upon the tree with rich golden
or crimson colors, like the Bartlett and Seckel, all varieties of
pears will attain a richer tint as well as higher flavor by a little
attention. For the attainment of the best result, darkness, warmth,
and masses of fruit are necessary. The fruit picked green should
be "exposed long enough to become perfectly dry, and is then packed
in cloth-lined barrels and cases. The following, from a report of
a Committee of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, exhibits
the results of attention to minute particulars :

" Mr. JOHN GORDON, of Brighton, Mass., cultivates between three
and four acres, the most part of which is trenched and under-drained,
and almost entirely covered with pear trees, thickly planted, two-thirds
of which are on quince stocks. Mr. G. raises but few varieties, and
those such as he finds sell most readily in the market, and make the
most profitable return. All his fruit is carefully picked by hand ; and
some five or six days before designing it for market, it is carefully
packed away in boxes twenty inches square, and six or eight in depth,
with a woollen cloth lining at the bottom, on which is placed one layer
of pears ; that is covered with woollen cloth, and another layer of ]>•
when the box is covered more thickly with woollen cloth, and placed
away for what he calls the sweating process, which gives the fruit a
rich coloring, and ripens, it for market. Mr. GORDON states that cotton
does not produce the same effect, nor ripen the fruit so fast, And that
the result of this care is best seen in the prices obtained in marketing ;
for while his Bartletti were yielding him ten dollars a bushel In Boston,

RIPENING OF WINTER PEAKS. 265

other wagons by the side of his contained pears of that variety which
were sold for only three dollars a bushel, on account of their unripened
condition."

RIPENING OF WINTER PEARS.

Much chagrin has been experienced by those who, for the first
time, have attempted to ripen winter pears. Many varieties pro-
claimed by the books as ripening from December to April, obsti-
nately persist in becoming- melting and luscious in November and
early December.

The Winter Nelis, the Lawrence, the Beurre d'Hiver, and others,
attain this delicious maturity in the early part of December, in-
stead of keeping sound and hard till February. But the most
disheartening and vexatious phase of the matter is, the withering,
shrivelling, and premature rotting of the pears, to which a still
later maturity has been attributed. The Easter Beurre, Glout
Morceau, Doyenne d'Alen9on, lose a great quantity of their juice
by evaporation, and resemble a potato kept one year, quite as
much as a pear.

The Pear, unlike the Apple, has little or no oleaginous matter
deposited upon the skin, to prevent the rapid evaporation of its
juice, and preserve it from shrivelling, so that the porous and un-
protected skin of the Pear readily allows its juice to escape. In
all efforts to preserve it, therefore, we must keep in view this
defect. Some attempts to form an artificial covering by varnishes.
&c., have been made, but they have all been conducted without
reference to the conditions necessary for ripening, being only in-
tended for the preservation of the fruit.

The law which governs these conditions may "be stated as fol-
lows : As it is only by contact with the atmosphere that pears can
be ripened, and as that very atmosphere abstracts the vital fluids of
the fruit, it becomes a necessity that the pear should not be in con-
tact with free or moving atmosphere until the period of ripening has
arrived-.

The Pear, like the Apple, is composed of the proximate elements,
starch, sugar, -and albumen, with water and malic acid. The ripen-
ing of the fruit is the completion of that chemical process by which
starch is changed into sugar, and is always the first step towards

12

266 GATHERING, MARKETING, AND FRUIT-ROOMS.

decay. Fruit has reached the point of highest excellence when it
contains the greatest quantity of sugar, and the sugar in contact
with the albumen has not commenced the putrid or acetous fer
mentation.

By protecting them from free atmosphere ki close cases, and by
preservation in a cool apartment, \ve are enabled to delay the ripen-
ing and prevent the withering of pears. There is, however, a
fixed limit to this preservation. The inherent tendency to decay,
which pervades all organized matter, prevents us from more than
temporarily postponing it. The Duchesse d'Angouleme, which
may, by skillful management, be kept till Christmas, can by no
means be preserved as Ion? as the Easter Beurre.

After a pear has become somewhat withered, it can never ripen
fairly, as sufficient water is not present to perfect the change. It
will be seen at once, that all the elaborate instruction for shelving
an apartment, and laboriously placing the fruit . in single layers
thereon, so as not to touch, are in entire contradiction to the rules
above noted. It has confounded many an amateur, to find his
plain and unscientific neighbor with an abundance of pears at
Christmas, while his own had all long before decayed.

A gentleman who had but half a bushel of Glout Morceau
Pears, preserved them till late in January, bj flie following plan:
A barrel was half filled with sound Baldwin apples, in November,
the pears placed upon them, and the barrel filled with apples, and
put away in a dry cellar ; when taken out, the pears were fresh
and green as when first picked, needing but an exposure of a week
or more in a warm room to become golden in color and deliciously
melting and juicy.

All our winter pears need a somewhat longer season than we
usually have north of New York City. This renders their quality
a little uncertain; but some attention to their growth will usually
obviate Ihis uncertainty. The large amount of acid juice which
they contain must be overcome by the alcoholic or saccharine
change. If the amount of the sugar-producing principle which
the trees derive from the soil, or from the atmosphere, is too small,
the ripening will, necessarily, be imperfect. The true remedy for
this would naturally seem to be, that which practice has proved

FRUIT-BOOMS. 267

to be correct. The small-sized and badly-shaped fruit must be
thinned out early in the season. The rest should be allowed to
remain on the tree as long as safe from freezing, and packed away
soon after gathering, in cases with limited ventilation. Judgment
must be exercised in determining the amount of fruit to remain on
a tree. The quantity of winter pears must be less than is allow-
able in the case of summer or autumn pears.

Without question, winter pears, like other fruit, can only ripen
perfectly in masses. There is some undiscovered influence in the
contact of fruit with fruit, that gives to masses a perfection of
flavor unattainable with small quantities.

FEUIT-EOOMS.

For effecting these conditions of ripening, expensive structures,
fruit-houses, and rooms have been erected, and it is but just to
say, have, in many cases, resulted only in disappointment. When
one has not a good dry cellar, it may become necessary to provide
a fruit-room, and the reason why cellars are not generally suitable
for preserving fruit is, that they are usually too damp; they
should be of low and even temperature, and dark. Fruit-rooms
should be built with double walls, confining a stratum of air be-
tween, which iS sometimes more perfectly accomplished by filling
in with dry tan, charcoal dust, and similar substances. There
should be but one window, and that fitted with double sashes.
Ventilators should be provided, which should be allowed to change
the air of the room only sufficiently to prevent its becoming feculent
and damp. No decaying fruit should be permitted to remain in
the room, nor any vegetables or substances having odor. A gentle-
man who had expressed much disappointment with the flavor of
several fine varieties of pears, was greatly surprised by having the
cause of the inferiority of his fruit pointed out. He at once com-
menced removing from his fruit room all the materials belonging
to the harness and lumber-room, the decaying matter^accumulated
in corners and boxes, and finished with thoroughly cleansing and
whitewashing the walls. The pears ripened in the room, there-
after, were not only a source of gratification in their fine flavor,
but of surprise at the means of their perfection. Other fruits

268 GATHERING, MARKETING, AND FRUIT-ROOMS.

may be exposed on shelves, but pears should be inclosed iu
boxes with tight-fitting covers, or if the quantity is large, in well-
made barrels, headed up. A fruit-house, thus arranged and man-
aged, would be a profitable adjunct to a fruitery. But for most
amateurs, a dark closet in the house, or a room fitted up in the
cellar, or even the cellar itself, kept clean and sweet, will suffice.
For small quantities of pears, cheese-boxes, with close covers, have
been found cheap and convenient. These should be always freed
from the odor of cheese, by cleansing in hot water, with soda or
potash. It has been recommended and practiced by many to wrap
pears in paper, cotton, and similar substances • but I have found
all such preparations worse than useless. They not only absorb
the moisture of the pears more rapidly than the atmosphere, but
they abstract the aroma of the fruit, and leave it comparatively
tasteless. These substances being carbonaceous, act as absorbents
of the peculiar flavor, like charcoal.

Mr. BARRY informed me, that after many years of experience,
he had found the most effective means of preserving winter pears
to be : late gathering ; packing away carefully none but sound
fruit, in close barrels, leaving them in an open shed, only protected
from rain and direct rays of the sun, as long as the temperature is
above the freezing-point.

The practical difficulties in the use of fruit-rooms seem to have
been overcome by Mr. SCHOOLEY. The accompanying plan of his
Preservatory has appeared in the Country Gentleman, and Ameri-
can Agriculturist. From the latter, the description of its con-
struction, and the rationale of its effect is extracted.

Our illustration represents one-half of a building, supposed to
be divided through the middle, from the ridge-pole to the ground,
in order to better show the interior arrangements. This structure
may be a large one, twenty or thirty feet each way, or only a
small room of but a few feet in size.

The side-walls, w, w, and the lower and upper floors, / and M,
are made double, being filled in with saw-dust. The upper floor,
however, consists of a single layer of boards, nailed upon the under
side of the joists, with the saw-dust piled on loosely, a foot or more
iu thickness. Above this, is an open space or garret, under the

269

rafters or roof, with holes in each gable-end to admit a free circu
lation of air. The main room is divided into two compartments —
the fruit-room and ice-room — by the partition d. The partition d
unites with the walls on both front and rear, but a small opening
of a few inches is left both above and below it — that is, between
the whole length of the lower and upper edges and the floor ana
the ceiling. The ice, as represented, is piled up in a compact mass
in the right division, and covered in the usual manner with straw.
A email vacant space, v. is left between the ice and the division-

270 GATHERING, MARKETING, AND FRUIT-ROOM8.

wall, though this is not necessary, unless the entire body of ice is
so compact and frozen together as to prevent the air from circulat-
ing through it. The floor, under the ice, descends to the right
from /, so as to carry any waste water out at o. There is an
ingenious arrangement in the waste-pipe to prevent the access of
air or vermin. It will readily be seen, that before the water rises
high enough to overflow the right projection, or gate, the upper or
left-hand gate dips down into it, so that the opening is always
closed with water.

The air around and among the ice will always be kept cool. It
will, consequently, settle downward, and flow along under the
division-wall, d, and into the lower part of the fruit-room. At the
same time, the warmer air will flow into the ice-room through the
opening over the division-wall. The arrows show the direction
of the currents of air. This motion will always be kept up so
long as the air in the fruit- room is in the slightest degree warmer
than that in the ice-room. We see, then, that by such an arrange-
ment the fruit-room is practically kept nearly as cool as if actually
filled with ice.

There is another important end secured by this arrangement,
•viz., that the air in the fruit-room is kept very dry. or free from
moisture. The air always contains more or less of invisible water
floating in it. The amount of water in the air depends upon its
temperature. The warmer air of the fruit-room takes up moist-
ure from the articles there ; but when it passes over to the ice,
being there cooled, it gives up a portion of this moisture to the ice,
flows back below in a drier condition, to take up more moisture as
it is warmed again. This change goes on unceasingly.

At e is seen the entrance to the store-room, in which may be
kept all kinds of food, vegetables, fruit, &c. Should the air need
changing at any tims, to get rid of odors, it is done thus : Just
under the ceiling is seen a flat slide. Moving this to the left, two
holes through it will be brought under the two ventilators, one
leading into the open air above, the other into the garret. When
this is done, the fresh air from the garret will settle into the ice-
room, while the warm air in the fruit-room will ascend through
the larger ventilator, and pass off.

CATALOGUE OF PEARS.

271

a * «a^, fig

*• <§ -8 §Sgl 1=2,3 «c . w

II I 1%I| fl'£ fll fl

-,op< H •So!SS._:X!^'CH I. t>.3 >»o

•SS :•§!

:*\li::$^*

Illil

j^Es

iinfiyiipnfliilflj ;;

•£,-S>J i-S.U^-i b'c> -i^2 o,ft"^ o,«: >'•»• ft'-5 acU cLo,

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01

. .

.rO _. . .«_._. . ._. . .rO .

»^ co co

g^Soo'l

e •wil« | g: o:a|w^ ll|>&|'ti|w|>I5l§l

f ^ ell *i* a^i-s^ § la ^i g i M.

; cS^* ^ ! •

S:i1fill^

272

CATALOGUE OF PEARB.

M
fl

"a
81

1

wg a
«« ff

S> ~~

5 a

H§ 1

jw

OPcoO -OQ

*5*s?<i5H*^*l*H*ws,Srf5???*?5s,s^s

4 i i

CATALOGUE OF PEAKS.

273

• • J3 •••••• • • M " »J • • * ' ' o> •3E • M O3

M0 :<= ••::::::« :® :•:: :v :2^Sa> P<V

O^.TS;; S'fi'^"**! •|<»|'rs'0|

iSiS-str.iiifdd.^-aiid

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274

CATALOGUE OF PEARS.

•5 -9

13

?'^

-Ji

-»-» 'o '

5 S»i

of g g off g' ^-^ g' oo so'^ g oo'3 oc'^Ki g* g'^; g'

i

CATALOGUE OF PEARS.

2T5

a las
'

Ill I If 1 111 IP . I I t

III!! II

3 .QOai^ooSo^o^^sso^ra^^^o^feO^cx^^a >>&
X £C 'X £s £C ^A^^A.^^^^^^^^CjC^j^/^/^i^/^^^.H^rh^^^^Aj^

coMoiJesHOW

••« -5

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ffi!

= Saj =?

; : ^ ' -2 : : s £ : j : : : ; m* ::;:>-.' 44

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0-A.T-A.riOO-TJE

OF

VARIETIES OF PEARS OF FOREIGN ORIGIN,

WITH THEIR SYNONYMS IN ITALICS.

Abbe Mongein.
Abbe Edouard.

Angelique de Bordeaux.
Arnaud Bivort.

Belle Fondante.
Belle et Bonne.

Agathe de L'Escour.

Althorpe Orassane.

Schone und Gute.

Ah I Mon Dieu.

Ambrosia.

Gracieuse.

D'Abondance.

Early Beurre.

Belle lucrative.

D'Amour.

Angleterra.

Bergamotte lucrative.

Alberty.

F.ii ij Iwh Beurre.

Beurre lucratif.

Alexandre Berkmans.

Beurre d'Angleterre.

Bergamote Ficref.

Alexandre Bivort.

Fondante d'Automne.

Alexandre Lambre.

Bartlett.

Grosilliere.

Alexandrina.

\Villiiims.

Seigneur Esperin.

A Longue Queue.
Alphonso Karr.

Williams' Bon Chretien.
Poire Gnillaume.

Bellissime d'Ete.
A deux yeux.

Ambrette.

Dela Vault,

Jargonnelle of the

Epineuse.

Clement Doyenne.

French.

Ami re Johannet

Barbancinet.

Saline d'Ete.

Saint-Jean.

Baronne de Mclo.

Supreme.

Ananas.

Adele de Saint-Ceras.

Bergamot Buffo.

Angelique de Bordeaux.

Anirelique de Koine.
AiiLrloterred'Iliver.

Beau present d'Artois.
Present royal de Naples.
Bt.le dc Bruxelles.

( 'rapand.
Beurre BenuchamfS.
Beauchamps.

Asgora.

Beurre de Bruxelles.

Bergamotte Cadette.

Arlequin musque.

Belle do Bruxelles without

Poire de Cadet.

A.-.ton town.

kernel.

Belle de Brissac,

Auger.
Atii,'ii>to do Boulogne.

AiiL'iir4iuu Lelieur.

Belle UAout, or August.
Belle de 1'erron
^oel.

incorrectly Ogun
Bergamote, Crassanne.

Aurate.
Adelaide de Keves.

Apres Noel.
Fondamte Noel.

Bergamote, a Feuilles Pan«
achees.

Alpha.
Ananas de Courtrai.

Souvenir Esperen.
Belle du Plessis.

Bergamote Crassanne d'Ete
Bergamote d'An-rlcterre.

Ananas d'ICio.

Belle Julie.

Ber^amote d'Automne.

Arl.rc Courbe.

Aleasandre HeUe.

Grosse Amln'ftte.

Amiral.

Hello Vcrnio. or Vornis.

note d'Ertrycher.

Colmar C/tarnay.

I'i //'*f:.v </f' )/^);^x

I >crir;iriiot^ (ri'<tt\

Au^uste Hover.
Autumn Oof mar.

Hi'lh' I'lpillodll AfftB.

ZtaeKM.

/ii'urre hlijnc. or white.
Beurre il'E!?.

Amadote.

t'offi efort.

Beurre Ronde.

Beurre Know.

Milan Blanc.

Haeht

/><• /.'it'//: ,'l'IIKtrt.

Mi Ian <!,' la- Beuvriere.

Beurre Bla it: • <lt> C>ipn-

/>//,••/, Bora

Moltilli' lllillcflf.

citis.
Ambrette.

Ff,iii,'dn .Wi*. Tiinachea
aote Drouet.

Ann^ette Epineuse. •/'// A'ochoir. Bergimote Dussart.

( 276 )

CATALOGUE OF PEAKS.

277

Bergamota de Heimbourg.1
Bergamotc Esperen.
Bergamotte Gansels.

Brocas Bergamot.

Ives' Bergamot.

Staunton.

Bonne Rouge.

Gurles Beurre.

Diamant.

Bergamotte d'Esperin.
Bergamotte Gaudry.
Bergamotte Lesefle.
Bergamotte de Millepieds.
Bergamotte d'Hollande.

Holland Bergamotte.

Beurre d'Alencon.

Bergamotte d'Alencon.

Jardin de, Jougers.

Bergamotte de Fougere.

Amoselle.

Lord Gheeneys.

Sarah.
Bergamot, Easter.

Beryamotte de Paques.

Bergamotte d'Hiver.

Bergamotte deBugi.

Bergamotte de Toulouse

Roberts1 s Keeping.

Winter Bergamotte.

Paddrington.

Royal Fairling.

Tuling.

St. Herplain d'Hiver.

Doyenne d'Hiver.

Soldat.

Bergamot, Lageret.
Begamot, Suisse.

Swiss Bergamot.
Bergamot, Autumn.

English Bergamot.

Common Bergamot.

York Bergamot.

English Autumn Berg-
amot.

Bergamot, Early.
Be»gamot, Summer.
Bergamot, Hampden's.

Summer Bergamot.

Bergamot d'Angleterre.

Fingal's.

Bergamotte d'Ete.

Scotch Bergamot.

Ellanrioch.
Bergamotte de Malines.
Bergamotte de Parthenay.

Poireau.
Bergamotte, Kose.
Beurre Antoine.

Saint Germain fondant.

Beurre Antoinette.

Beurre Auneniere.

Beurre Bachelier.

Beurre Beauchanip.

Beurre Benoist.

Benoite.

Beurre Auguste Benoit.

Beurre Berckmans.
Beurre Biemont.
Beurre blanc de Nantes.

Beurre de Nantes.

Beurre Nantais.
Beurre Bosc.

Boscs Thascherlirne.
Beurre, Easter.

Bergamotte de la Pent-
eeote.

Beurre de la Pentecote.

Beurre d'Hiver deBrux-
elles.

Doyenne d'Hiver.

Doyenne du Printemps.

Beurre Roupe.

Du Patre.

Bturre de Paques.

Phillipe de Paques.

Bezi Chaumontel tres
gros.

Chaumontel tres gros.

Canning.

Seigneur d'Hiver.
Beurre Gris d'Hiver Nou-
veau.

Beurre Gris d'lfiver.

Beurre Gris de Lucon.

BeurreGris Superieure

Beurre de Fontenay.
Beurre d'Anjou.

NePlus Meuris.

Nee Plus Meuris.
Beurre Diel.

Diels Butterbirne.

Diel.

Dorethee Royale.

Gros Dorethee.

Celeste.

Des tres Tours.

Dillon, or Gros Dillon.

Sylvanche vert d'Hiver.

Beurre Royale.

MaUlle. *

Beurre d* Yelie.

De Melon.

Melin de Kops.

Royal.

Dry-toren.

Florimond.
Beurre Incomparable.
Beurre Magnvfique.
Beurre Sterkmans.

Doyenne Sterkmans.

Bell Alliance.
Beurre Navez.

Colmar Navez.
Beurre Richelieu.
Beurre d'Aremberg.

Orpheline d'Enghien.

Due d'Aremberg.

Deschamps.

Colmar Deschamps.

.D'Aremberg par/ait.

V Orpheline.

Beurre des Orpheline.

Beurre Speiice.
Beurre Amande.

Almond Pear.

Noisette.

Beurre Judes.

Beurre d Angleterre.

Longue de Narkouts.

Monkorothy
Beurre Fougierre.
Beurre Beaulieu.
Beurre Winter.
Beurre Bennert.
Beurre Six.
Beurre Drapiez.
Beurre Soulange.
Beurre de Montgeron.

New Frederick of Wir>

temberg.

Beurre de Quenast.
Beurre Scheidweiler.
Beurre Citron.
Beurre d'Elberg.
Beurre Duhaume.
Beurre de Brignais.

Des Nonnes.

Poire des Nones.
Beurre Leon le Clerc.
Beurre Brown.

Beurre Gris.

Gray Beurre.

Beurre d'Amfooise.

Beurre Dore.

Beurre Isambert.

Beurre Rouge.

Red Beurre.

Beurre.

Golden Beurre.

Beurre d'Or.

Beurre d'Ambleuse.

Beurre Vert.

Beurre du Roi.

Isambert le Bon,

incor. Beurre d'Anjovt*
Beurre d'Amaulis.

Beurre d'Amanlis.

Beurre d'Amalis.

Wilheinmine.
Beurre d'Amaulis, var.
Beurre Colmar.

Colmar d'Automne.
Beurre Millet of Guernsey.

Mollet's Guernsey Chau*

montel.
Beurre Kance.

Beurre de Ranz.

Beurre de Flandre.

Beymonte.

Bon Chretien de Ranee.

Beurre Nairchain.

Hardenpont de Prin*
tem-ps.

Beurre Epine.
Beurre Bieumont.

Beymonte.
Beurre de Mortfontaine.

Beurre Lefevre.

278

CATALOGUE OF PEAKS.

Beurre Bolsfunel.
Beurre de Gommery.
Beurre de Hamptienne.
Beurre Precoce.
Beurre Van de Putte.
Beurre de Beaumont.

Bezi Vaet.
Beurre Seutin.
Beurre Kenrick.
Beurre Knox.
Beurre Bretonneau.
Beurre Bronze.
Beurre Brougham.
Beurre Bruneau.

Saint Herblain.

Crassanne Bruneau,
Beurre Burnicq.
Beurre Capiaumont.

Capiamont.

Aurore.
Beurre d'Angleterre.

Archiduc Charles.

Bee d'Oie.
Beurre d'Avoine.
Beurre de Bollwiller
Beurre de Koning.
Beurre de Launay.
Beurre de Moise.
Beurre de Paimpol.
Beurre de Heine.
Beurre Charron.
Beurre Chatenay.
Beurre Clairgeau.
Beurre Coloma.

Capucine d' Autumn.
Beurre Curtet.

Comte 'Lami.

Beurre, Qnetelet.
Beurre d'Albret.
Beurre des Beguines.
Beurre d'Ecole.
Beurre Defais.
Beurre Derouineau.
Beurre d'Enghien.
Beurre d'Hardenpont.
Beurre Duval.
Beurre Gens.
Bourn- Gittard.
Beurre Goubault.
lieurre Gris d'Hiver, the

old.

Beurre de Zuriok.
Beurre Milan d'l liver.
Beurre Gris d'ilivcr de

Lncon.

Beurre Hamecker.
Beurre Hanh.
BtMirre Kennes.
Beiinv Knight.
Heunv K'l.-sutl].
Beurre LanjMier.
Bourn- I.oi.M-1.
I:. 'iii-re Millet.

Beam Moire.
Beurre Mondelle.
Beurre Noisette.

Beurre Oudinot.
Beurre Payen.
Beurre Philippe Delfosse.
Beurre Remain.
Beurre Saint Louis.
Beurre Saint Nicholas.

Duchesse d* Orleans.
Beurre Seringe.

Doyenne fondant.
Beurre Superfin.
Beurre Wetteren.
Besi Liboutton.
Besi du Caissoy or Quessoy.

Roussette d'Anjou.
Bezy Quessoy d'Ete.
Besi de Chassery.

Echassery.
Besi de Chaumontel

Do., Variegated.
Bezi d'Heri.

Bezi Royal,

Rumelbirne.
Besi Bosnian.
Bezi de Montigny

Louis Boso.

Doyenne Mutque.

Trouve de Montigny.

Beurre Jiomain.
Bezi de La Nfotte.

Beurre blanc de Jersey.

Bein Armandi.
Bezy Gamier.

Gamier.
Besi de Vindre.
Bezi des Veterans.

Kameau.
Bezi Kspercn.
Bezi Goubalt.
Bezi Incomparable.

Bezi Sanxpariel.

Bergamotte, Sanspariel.
Be/i baint Vaast.

Beurre Beaumont.
Bezi, Tardy.
Bonne d Ez e.

Bonne des Ifaiea.

Bonne tie Zees.

Bonne de Longueval.

Belle et Bonne d'Ezee.
Bon Chretien Fondante.
Bon Gustave.
Bonn<> Charlotte.

Bon Chretien Flemish.

Bon Chretien de Turc.
Bon Chretien d Espagne.

Bon Chretien bpanit,h.
Bon Chretien d'Ete.

Gracioli.

Rted's Seedling.
Bon Chretien d'Hiver.

Bon Chretien d"An-

goifise.
Bon Chretien d'Angoisse—

vari^eated.
Bishop's Thumb.
Black Worcester.

Black Pear of Worces-
ter.

Parkin Hori s Warden.
Bois Napoleon.
Bon Parent.
Bonne Emilia
Blanquet Alexis.
Blanquet a Long Queue.
Blanquet de Saintonge.
Blanquet le Gros.

Roi Louis.
Blanquet le Petit

Blanquet a la Perle.

Blanche Fleur.

Cire

Blanquet Precoce.
Boucquia.

Beurre Boucquia.
Bourgemester.

Bouvier Bourgemester.
Brougham.
Brandes.

Saint Germain Bran-

des.

Brialeinont
Broom Park.

Sobden Court.

Cadet de Vaux.
Caillot Eosat.
Calebasse Bosc.
Calebasse de Bavay.
Calebaese Delvigne.
Calebusse d'Ete.
Calebasse Musk.
Calebassc Tougard.
Calebasse Verte.

Calebasse Green.
Calebasse.

C'tlebasseDouble Extra.

Cftlebatme d Ilollande.

Beurre de Payence.
Caen de France.
Camerlyn.
Cassante de Mars.
Cutinka.

Charles Van Houghten.
Charles Smit.
Charles Frederick.
Chariot** de Brower.
Colmai <l'Al(>,st.
Count Lelinir.
Comp*e of Purls.
V Miipte. of Flanders.

osfilier de lu Cuur.

Jtarechal de la Cow.
Calebasse Gro.ve.

Calfbaxse Moni>tre.

Carnfou

Poire dim four.

Boulellr. '

Ti i"iti i the de Nord..

Tfionti>he<te //aslet.
Cotn[)t(' de Lumy.

Beurre Curti.

Dingier.

CATALOGUE OF PEARS.

279

Marie Louise Nora. Croft Castle.

Due de Nemours.

Marie Louise the Sec-

Beurre Navez.

ond, i D'Aloutte.

Louis Bosc.

Conseiller Ranwez. Dame Verte.

Dumont Dumortier,

ConseUler deRanweze. De Bavay.

Duvernay.

Coter. ! Poire de Bavay.

Doyenne Bossouck.

Crassane d'Hjver.

De Coq.

Doyenne Bossouck Nou-

Caperon du Mons.

De Deux Ors 1'An.

velle.

Capucin Van Mons.

De Lamartine.

Double Philipe.

Cent Couronnes.

Do Lestuinire.

Beurre de Merode.

Chair a Dame.

Delices Charles.

Nouvelle Boussouck.

Cherroise.
Choice of an Amateur.

Delices de Jodoigne.
Delices de Louvenjoul.

Doyenne d'Alencon.
Doyenne d"1 River d'Al-

Colmar.

De Louvoyan.

encon.

Maunne.

Delices de la Meuse.

Doyenne Gris d'Hiver

De Maune.

Delices d'Hardenpont. of

Nouveau.

Incomparable.

Angers.

Doyenne Marbre.

Winter Virgnlieu.

Delices d'Hardenpont. of

Doyenne d Hiver Nou-

Colmar Artoisenet.

Belgium.

veau.

Colmar d'Arernberg.

Fondante Pariselle.

St. Michal d' Hiver

Cartofell.
Colmar d'Automne Nou-

Delices Dumortier.
Des Chasseurs.

Doyenne d'Ete.
Summer Doyenne.

veau.

Des deux Sceurs.

Duchesse de Berry dEtt

Colmar de Silly.

Des Ternplirs Blanc.

of Bivort.

Colmar des Invalidea.

Dingier.

Doyenne Sieulle.

Van Mons.

Docteur Bouvier.

Sieulle.

Colmar d'Ete.

Docteur Caperon.

Beurre Sieulle.

Colmar Musque.

Docteur Trousseau.

Bergamotte Sieulle.

Col mar Souverain.

De Louvain.

Doyenne Gray.

Ooltin.

Poire de Louvain

Gray Batter Pear.

Citron des Carmes a Long

Bezy de Louvain.

Gray Deans.

Queue.

DeSorlus.

Gray Doyenne.

Countesse d'Alost.
Conntesse de Lunay.

Bergamotte de Sorlus.
Decree Cornells.

Red Doyenne,.
St. Michel Dore.

Cops Heat.

Cornells.

Doyenne Galeux.

Cornelia.

De Tongres.

Doyenne Roux.

Crassane Althorpe.

Dundas.

Doyenne divert.

Catillac.

Elhot Dundas.

Doyen e d' Autumn.

Bon Chretien d"1 Amiens.

Rousselet Jamin.

Red Beurre.

Chartreuse.

Diller.

Beurre Rouge.

Grot Gilot.

Doyenne Robin.

Doyenne Gris.

Monstre.

Beurre Robin.

Doyenne White.

Tetonde Venus.

Doyen Dillon.

Viraalieu.

Chaumoisine.

Deacon Dillon.

St. Michael

Coulon Saint Marc.
Belle de Thouars.

Doyenne Goubalt.
Doyenne Defais.

Doyenne Blanc.
Doyenne.

Catherine Lambree.

Doyenne Downing.

Yellow Butter.

Cure d'CElenghem.
Chaumontel.

Doctor Lentier.
Duchesse d'Orleans.

Bergaloe.
White Beurre.

Bezi de Chaumontel.

Beurre Saint Nicho-

Warwick Bergamot.

Winter Beurre.

las.

Deans.

Beurre d" Hiver.

Saint Nicholas.

Bonne Ente.

Oxford Chaumontel.
Charles of Austria.

Duchesse de Berry d'Ete.
Duchesse de Brabant.

Neige blanche.
Saint Michal blanc.

Clara.

Duchess d'Angouleme.

Snow Pear.

Claire.

Des Eparonnais.

Reigner.

Clinton.

Pezenas.

Beurre blanc.

Colmar Nfell.

Duchesse d'Angouleme,

Poire de Simon.

Colmar Epine.

variegated*

Poire Monnieur.

Comprette.
Commodore.

Duchess d'Aremberg.
Dumortier.

Citron de September^
Kainserbirne.

Crassane.

Dupuy Charles.

Kaiser d Autumn.

Bergamotte Crassane.

Doyenne Rose.

Bulter-birne.

Beurre Plat.

Duchesse de Mars.

Nouvelle d'Quef.

Cresane.

Dunmore.

Dechantsbirne.

Crawford.

Douillard.

Valencia.

280

CATALOGUE OF PEAKS

Emile d'Hyest

Francois. | Goulu Morceau.

Eliza d'Hyest.

Frederick le Clerc.

Roi de Wurtemberg.

Emerald.

Frederick de Wirtemberg.

Beurre de Cambron.

Edouard Sageret.

Beurre de Montgeron —

Got Luck de Cambron.

Enfant Prodigue.
Epine d'Ete.

erroneous!/.
Florimond Paren .

Kronprinz Ferdinand

Fninlante Musque.
Satin Vert.

Fleur de Neige.
Snowflower.

Heathcot
Heathcot de Gore.

Esperine.

Figue de Naples.

Gore's Heathcot.

Eyewood.

Comtesse de Frtnol.

Hatnou.

Elizabeth Manning's.
Eastner Castle.

De Vigne Pelo^e.
Beurre Bronzee.

Besi Fondant.
Haute Montec.

Echassery.

Fig Pear of Nap." w.

Heliote Dundas.

Echasserie.

Figue d'Alencon.

Rousxelet Jamain.

Bisi d 'Echassery.

Verte Longue de la

Henri Bivort

Biei d'Echassery.

Mayenne.

Henri Caperon.

Jagabirne.

Figue d'Hiver.

Henri IV.

Episcopal.
Fortune.

Gabrourelis Seedling.

Henri Quatre.
Jaquin.

La Fortunee de Paris.

Geant.

Favori Musque.

La Fortunee du Par-

General de Lamoricf ere.

Beurre Ananas.

mentier.

General Dutillewe.

Poire Ananas.

Bergamotte Fortunee.

Golden Beurre of BJl l .

Hericart de Theury.

Emerald.

Gluire de CatnbrouL

Hessel.

Gracioli de Jersey.

Hazel.

Flemish Beauty.

Jersey Gracioli.

Hovey.

Fondante des Bois.

Groom Princess.

Heukel.

Belle des Bois.

Gros Lativeau.

Henrietta.

Belle de Flandres.

Gansel's Seckel.

Henri Bivort

Bergamotte de Flan-

GansePs Late Bergan *)V \.

Hericart.

dres.

Gil o Gil.

Hericart de Thusy.

Beurre des Bois.

Garde d'Ecosse.

Rushmore's Bon Chrt*

Beurre Spence— errone-
ously.

Dagobert.
Glace d'Hiver.

tien.
Hacon's Incomparable.

Davy, or Poire Davy.

Grand Salomon.

Incomparable ffacont.

Feodale.

Louis Philippe.

Tougaret.
Nouvelle Gagne a

Gros Lucas.
Gamier.

Jargonelle English.
Real Jargonelle.

Henze.

Girardin.

Beau P/v.v.

Imperatrice de France-

Gloward.

Sweet Summer.

Bosch Pear.

Got

Beurre de Paris.

Bosch, or Bosch Nou-

Graslin.

Cuillette.

velle.

Grand Soil el.

Cuisse Madame.

Bosc Sire.

Gris de Chin.

Gros Cuisse Madame.

Fondante Abbret.
Fondante de Brest.

Gros Cotelain.
Gustave de Bourgogne.

Epargjie.
Si tint Samson.

Cassante de Brest.

General Bosquet.

Poire de Tables dec

Inconnue de Chesneau

General Canrobert

Princes.

Fondante de Laynillo.

General de Lourmel.

Saint Lambert.

Fondante <1e Malines.

Gideon Paridant.

BeUe !

Fondante de Noel.

Graslin.

tfftrgonelle, French.

Belle de Noel.

Grosse Marie.

Bellixxhne <!' Me.

BeUe Apres Noel.
Fondante de Millat.

Gios Rousselet a'Aout.
Gondosheim.

Bellinftime Supreme.
Bellisxime Jargonelle.

Fondante du Cornice An-

Green Citron of Bohemia.

Red Mitxi'ii'it!.

gers.

Citronbirne.

Sum in er Beauty

Fondante Van Mons.

( i .-»•»• n Pear of Yair.

Red' C/iet A~.

Fondante Agreeable.

Green Yair.

Sup/ •

Fondante des Pres.

Glout Morcean.

( 'hanniontel iJ'Etc.

Forelle.

Gloux or Glou Morceau

Vermilion d'Ete.

Auos Traites.

Beurre, d'Uardtnpont.

S<ibine d'Ste.

(iriiin de Corail.

Harden jxuit <!' [fleer.

h:,Kjll*h Red Cheek.

Fortunee.

Cul>niir it' Ilin /'.

mat.

Forme de Bergamotte
Crawse-nno.
Foureroy d'Hiver.

Linden ii'Auiomne.
Beurre d'Aremberg in
France.

Jalousie de Fon*enay V«i»
dee.
i Jean de Witte.

CATALOGUE OF PEARB.

281

Julienne.

Lieutenant Poitevin.

Napoleon.

Josephine de Maiines.
Jules Bivort.

Liberale.
La Canas.

Beurit Napoleon.
Bon Chretien Napoleon.

Jalousie Tardive.

Bon-Parent.

Captive of St. Helena.

Jacqueinine.

Leon Leclerc.

Charles X.

Jaininette.

Leon Leclerc Epineux.

Charles d? Austria jncvr.

Austrasie.

Gloire de lEmpereur.

Beurre d'Austrassie.

Mansuette.

Liard, incor.

Beurre Saint Helier.

Marie Louise.

Meabille.

Bergamotte Cheminette.

Princess Parme.

Medaille.

Pirolle Maroi.

Marie Chretienne.

Wurtemberg, incor.

Sabine,

Forme Marie Louise.

Sucree Doree.

Wilhelmine.

BraddicVs Field Stan-

Roi de Rome.

Josephine.

dard.

Bonaparte.

Colmar Jaminette.

Marechal Dillon.

Nectarine.

Jansenns.

Marechal Pelissier.

Nielle.

Jolivet.

Marianne de Nancy.

Beurre Niel.

John Moutich.

Mignonne d'Hiver.

Poire Neil.

Jules Bivort

Millot de Nancy.

Colmar Bosc.

Jutte.

Marie Louise— the new.

Fondante du Bois, in-

Jurardiel.

Martin Sec.

correctly.

Jalvie.

Rousselet d'Hiver.

Neufmaisons.

Inconnu Van Mons.

Madame Durien.

Belle Alliance.

Imperiale, Oak-Leaved.

Madame Elisa.
Madeleine d' Angers.

Neuve Maison.
Serruvier d'Automne.

King Edwards.

Marechal de Cour

Nouveau Poiteau.

Knight's Monarch.

Conseilleur de la Cour.

Retour de Rome.

Knight's Seedling.

Due d1 Orleans.

Tombe de V Amateur.

Knight's Edwards.

Marquise.

Nouveau Simon Bouvier.

Medailled'Or.

Ne Plus Meuris.

La Caslebirne.

Melon.

Niles.

La Herard.

Menagerie.

La Juive.

Messir, Jean.

Omer Pasha.

Laure de GlymM.

Mr. John.

Orpheline Colmar.

Leopold the First.
Leurs.

Messir Jean Gris.
Messir Jean Golden.

Orange d'Hiver.
Winter Orange.

Long Verte of Coxe.

John.

Mouille Bouche, erron.

Monsieur John.

Passe Colmar.

Long Green.

Messir Jean Blanc.

Passe Colmar Epineux.

Long Green.

Miel des Cannes.

Passe Colmar Gris, or

Leon le Clerc.

Monseigneur Affre.

Dore.

Leon le Clerc Leval.

Monstrous Wood.

Passe Colmar Nouveau.

Blanc-Per-Ne.

Nain Vert.

Pucelle Condesienne.

Little Muscat.

Muscat TAllemand.

Golmnr Gris.

Little Musk.

Muscat Kobert.

Ananas d Hiver.

Petit Musk.

Musquee d'Espeme.

Beurre Colmar Gri8.

Primitive.

Michaux.

Precel.

Muscat Petit.

Compte de Michaux.

Fondante de Panisel.

Sept-en- Gueule.

Madeline.

Fondante deMons.

Louise Bonne.

Magdalen.

Beurre d'Argenson.

Louise Bonne Real.

Citron des Carmes.

Regintin.

St. Germain Blanc.
Louise de Carcelles.

Green Chisel, incor.
Early Chaumontel, in-

Colmar Hardenpont.
Colmar Souveraine

Louise de Prusse.

correctly.

Colmar Preule.

Louise Bonne de Jersey.
Louise Bonne d'Avran-

Madeline, variegated.
March Bergamot.

Colmar Doree.
Gambier.

ches.

Moccas. '

Celliste.

Bonne de Longueval.

Muscat Eobert.

Marotte Lucre Jaune.

Beurre, or Bonne Louise

Poire a la Heine.

Pusent de Ma lines.

d'Avandore.

D'Ambre.

D' Ananas.

William the Fourth.
Lucien Leclerc.

St. Jean Musquee Gros.
Musk RoUne.

Passe Colmar of Belgium.
Passe Col mar of France.

Louis Dupont

Early Queen.

Passe Colmar Mueque.

Limon.

Queen's Pear

Pater Nosttfr.

Beurre Hagersten.

Marie Parent.

Paquency.

Bergamotte Louise.

Peach Peat.

282

CATALOGUE OF PEAKS.

Poire Peche.

Ferdinand de Meester.

Poire Sanspeau.

Pengethly.
Passans du Portugal.

Surpasse Meurice.
Rousseline.

fleur de Guignes.
Serrurier.

Summer Portugal.

Rousselon.

Surrier d'A utomne.

Miller's Early.

Royale d'Ete.

Fondunte de MiUot.

Paradise d'Automne.

Robine.

Simon Bouvier.

Calebasne Boxc.

Royal d'Hiver.

Sdegnata.

Maria Nouvelle.

Rousselet Hatif.

Simon.

Princess Marianne.

Early Catherine.

Souvenir de Simon Bouvior

Phillippe Goes.
Pio IX.

Kutlern.
Cyprus Pear.

Sorlus.
Sucree de Zurich.

Poire d'Albret.

Early Romnelet.

Sucree Vert.

Poire d'Abondance.

Perdrean.

Supreme d'Auray.

Poire d*-s Chasseurs.
Poire de Lepine.

Poire de Chypri.
Rousselet de Rhelms.

Supreme Qulnipor.
Suzette de Baray.

De Lepine.

Rousselet.

Soldat Laboreur.

Delepine.

Petit Rousselet.

Augmte Van, Krans.

Paul Ainbre.

Spice Pear.

Souveraine de Printemps.

Prevost.

Musk Pear.

Poire de Printemps.

Poire Prevost.

Retour de Rome.

Souveraine d'Ete.

Prince Albert.

Rousselet d'E«peren.

Styrian.

Paillean.

Rousselet Double.

Supreme de Quineper.

Pitt's ProliBc.
Pitt's Surpasse Marie.
Surpasse Marie Louise,

Rousselet Enfant Prodigue
Enfant Prodigue.
Rosatrirne.

Surpasse Meuris.
Surpasse Crassane.
Saint Pere.

incorrect.

Riddles.

De Pape.

Princess Marie.

Beurre Andusson.

Socquet.

Princess Charlotte.

Poire Ritelle.

Sultan.

Princess of Orange.

Rousselet Vandervecken.

Sucree de Corinne.

Princess Conquette.

Rousselet Stuttgart

Sucree de Hoyerswerder.

Pain et Vin.

Rateau Gris.

Summer St Germain.

Chaumontel Anglaise.

Beurre de Louvain.

Shorts St. Germain.

Ghent Vert.

St. Germain d'Ete.

Chene Vin.

Sabine d'Hiver.

St. Germain of Martin.

Parfum d'Aout

Saint Andre.

Summer Franc lU-al.

Parfum d'Hlver.

Saint Augustin.

Franc Real d'Ete.

Paul Thiens.

Saint Georges.

Fondante.

Pommo.

Saint Germain.

Gros Micet d'Ete.

Prodil.

St. Germain Gris.

Green Chisel.

Professor Dnbreull.

Jnconnut Lafare.

Green Sugar.

President Parigot.

St. German Jaume.

Super Fondante.

Prince Imperial.

Saint Germain Van Mons.

Swan's KITLT.

Princess Helene d'Orleans.

Saint Germain, variegated.
Saint Germain Gris.

Moor-fowl Egg, incorrect
Summer Rose.

Queen of the Low Coun-

Saint Ghislein.

E pine Rose.

tries.

Quinnipiac.

Caillot Rosat d'Ete.

Queen of Netherlands.

Duck, Monarch.

Thorny Rose.

Reine des Pays Baa.

Saint Germain Brande's.

Ognon.

Quilette.

Saint Andre.

Epine d"Ete.

Saint Menin.

Poire de Rose.

Reine dcs Beiges.

Saint Isaure.

Epine d'Ete Coleur

Reine '!<•- Poires.

Snint Jean Baptiste.

Rose.

Reine d'Hiver.

Saint Joseph.

Summer Bon Chretien.

Rovillere.

Saint Louis.

Bon Chretien d'Ete.

Rushmore.

Saint Michel Archange.

Gratioli.

Rondeiet

Plombgattet.

Gratioli d'Ete.

Rostiezer.

Saint Vincent de Paul.

Gratioli di Romn.

Rouge <les Vlerges.

Saint Dorethee.

Summer Good Christian

Rousselet de Conr.

Royalf.

Mttxk Summer Bon

Rou8j>elet de Bochefort

Nouvelle.

Chretien.

Rousselet d'Hlver.

Saint Denij.

Sommer Apothiker-

Rousselot )e Gros.

Sanguinole.

hinif.

Roi d'Ete.

Sanguine de f ranee.

Sommer Gute Christen-

Rousselet variegated.
Rousselet Perdreau.

Sanguine d'ltallc.
Sans Peau.

birne.
Die Sommer Christen,

Kousseiet de Meester. 1

SkAnless.

birne.

CATALOGUE OF PEAES.

283

Large Sugar.

Count Coloma.

Walker.

Sylvange.

St. Mearc.

185 of Van Mons.

Beroamotte Sylvange.

Beurre Drap'ies.

Wendell.

Green Sylvange.

Louise d' Orleans.

Willemoz.

Urbaniste Seedling.

Wredon.

Tillineton.

William Prince.

Tarquin de Pyrenees.

Van Mons. Leon le Clerc.

Windsor.

Theodore Van MOBS.

Valette.

Summer Bell.

Thompson's.

Van Assche.

Konge.

Thupilinck.

Vauqti»-lin.

Suisse, Madame.

Triomphe de Jodoigne.
Taluiont.

St. Germain Vauquelin.
Verte Longue d' Angers.

Winter Nelis.
Bo Mie de Malines.

Tonnelet.

Verte Longue Suisse.

c'olmar Nelis.

Trioinphe de Hasselt.

Verte Longue Panache.

Nelis d' Hicer.

Trioinphe de Souvain.

Culotte de Suisse.

Beurre de Malines.

Trioinphe de la Pomo-

Vezouziere.

La Bonne Mulinoise.

logie.

Vicompte de Spielberg.

JUilanaise Ouvelier.

Ta vernier de Boulogne.
Tresor d'Amour.

Vigneuse d'Esperen.
Vingt Mars.

Etoumeau.
Waterloo.

Tonneau.

Vallie Franche.

Due de Brabant.

De Vallee.

Detsiree Van Mons.

Uveedales St. Germain.

De Remzheim.

Fond ante Chfimeuse.

Angora.

Bonne de lienizheim.

JFondtinte des Cfiar-

Pound Pear.

Virgal..u.«e.

ntusf.

Beauty of Turvensen.

Poire Glace.

Beurre Charneuse.

Belle Angevine.

Ckumbrtlte.

Milde Waterloo.

Belle de Jersey.

Bdjnleuf.

Jnmin.

Bollrar.

Vicar of Winkfield.

Belle Excellent*.

Duchesse de Berry.

Cure

Duchesse de Berry

Mon. le Cure.

Yat.

d/Jiver.

CHon.

Yutte.

Grosse de Brtucelles.

Cornice du Toulon.

Royal d'Angleterre.
Urbaniste.
Beurre Picquery.

Belle Adrienne,
Belle de Berry.
Belle Heleres.

Zephyrin Grpgoire.
Zephyrin Louis Gregoire.

INDEX.

PAGE

ANALYSIS of Pear- wood, Fruit, &c. . 69

ADDITIONAL LIST 226

Andrews 226

Ananas d'Ete 227

Budding 79

Bartlett 191

Belle Epine Dumas 193

Belle Lucrative 194

Bloodgood 196

Buffam 197

Beurre d'Anjou 208

Beurre Superfin 209

Beurre Diel 210

Bourre Gris d'Hiver Nouveau 228

Beurre St. Nicholas 229

Beurre d'Aremberg 230

Beurre d'Amalis 231

Beurre Bosc 232

Beurre Langelier 233

Beurre Capiamont 234

Beurre Clairgeau 234

Beurre Gifford 235

Beurre Brown 238

Beurre Hardy 23S

BAHRY on Eipening Winter Pears... 268

Blight Insect 176

Blight, Winter, or Frozen-Sap 173

Cause of. 173

Eemedy and Means of Prevent

ing... 174

Signs of Approach 175

Blight, Leaf 176

Cause of 177

Immunity of Improved Varie-
ties from 177

Compost 31

Cultivation of the Pear Orchard 112

Causes of Failure of Nursery Trees. 89
Causes of Failure of Pear on Quince 123

Caterpillar Cankerworm, &c 1 86

Means of Destroying 187

Conditions which affect the Quality

ofPears 188

Columbia 198

(.Lurch... .. 236

Coloring and Eipening of Summer

and Autumn Pears 264

Mr. GORDON'S Method of. 264

CATALOGUE OF NATIVE VARIETIES

OF EXCELLENCE 271

CATALOGUE, GENERAL, OF NATIVE

VARIETIES 272

CATALOGUE OF FOREIGN VARIETIES. 276

DEDICATION iii

Draining 18

Digging Holes 33

Digging Trees 84

Double Working 144

Varieties for 146

Doyenne Bossouch 200

Dearborn's Seedling 237

Delices d'Hardenpont 238

Dix 239

Doyenne Sieulle 240

Duchcsse d'Angouleme 212

Doyenne d'Alencon 241

Easter Beurre 214

Espalier Trees 164

Forms of Training 162

Fruit-Rooms 267

Mr. SCHOOLEY'S 268

Engraving of do 269

Frederick of Wirtemberg 242

Fulton 243

Flemish Beauty 201

Fruit Spurs and Treatment 161

Grafting by Approach to improve

Shape.......... .... 156

Graft, Influence of, on Longevity. . . 72

Grafting, Methods of 74

Cleft 76

Whip 71

Crown 78

Grafting Large Trees 121

lout Morceau 216

olden Beurre 244

ray Doyenne 245

GORDON, Mr., Method of Eipening

Pear 264

Gathering Pears 262

( 285 )

286

INDEX.

PAGE

Hybridizing 55

Howel 246

Heeling in 103

Introduction 18

Invigorating Old Trees. 120

Insect Blight 176

Improved Varieties, immunity from

Leaf-blight 177

Leaf-blight of Seedlings 53

Lawrence 202

Louise Bonne de Jersey 218

Manure for Pear Trees 27

Quince Stocks, oflice of 1 22

Quince, Causes of Failure of Pear on 123

Quince-stock, Advantages of 124

BERCKMANS' L. E.,"Articlc on 1*1
WILDER, M. P., do. . 130

Do. - do. . 132

BUIST. II. do. . 1.36

HOVEY, C. do. . 137

Eules for growing Pear on .
Eooting of the Pear above . 139

How to produce it 143

Quenouillc Training 164

Qualities now required for Market
Pears... .. 189

Manuring 26

Manures for Nursery Stocks 67

Special do. for Pear Trees 117 Eemoving the Wood ef Old Dwarfs. 153

Mulching 114 Eoot-pruning, &c., Effect on Shape

Cropping for do 116 ! and Fruiting 168

MOORE, A. O., Article on Scale In- EIVERS', Mr., Eemarks on do... 170

sect 179 | Eostiezer 255

MOORE A. O., Article on Pear Slug. . 182 Eipening Winter Pears ... . . 265

Difficulty of 266

Laws governing, do 265

Eooting of the Pear 96

Eeplanting the Pear to form Fibrous
Eoots 102

Madeleine ......................... 247

Marie Louise ...................... 248

MARKETING PEARS ................ 263

Napoleon ......... ., ............... 249

Nouveau Poiteau .................. 250

Onondaga ......................... 251

Oswego Bcurre .................... 252

Old Trees, Invigorating 120

PART 1 17

PART II 45

PART III 86

PART IV 122

PART V 147

PART VI 173

PART VII 178 [ Soldat Laboureur ..

PART VIII 188

PART IX 261

PREF ACE v

Preparation of the Soil 17

Plowing and Cropping the Ground. 20

Propagation by Layers and Cuttings 59

Scoly tus pyri 178

Scale Insect... .. 178

Planting Seed 48

Planting Stocko 65

Cost of 67

Preparation of Stocks for Planting. . 70
Planting Trees 104

Proper Age for 90

Depth of 110

Plan of Arranging Pear Orchard . . 106
Pruning and Eoot-pruning before

Planting 97

Pyramidal Shape, Advantage of 147

Pruning to form Pyramids 150

Pruning to a Jiu.l lf>7

Pruning, Eules for 166

Season 168

Pruning Eoots, Effect of, on Shape,
&c 168

.Mr. EIVERS on do 168

Parsonage 258

Paradise d'Automne 254

Passe Cohnar 254

Pear Shi? 182

Quince Stocks 60

Propagation of 61

Washes to destroy 179

A. O. MOOKB'B Article on .... 179

Slug, Pear 182

A. O. MOORE'S Article on 133

Season for Eemoving and Planting

Trees 7 94

Sheldon 256

257

: St Michael Archange 258

Seckel 204

Soils affecting the Quality of Pears.. 261

Summer Pinching 159

Season for Pruning 168

Soils for the Pear 88

Seedlings 45

Leaf-blight of 57

New Varieties of 51

Cultivation of 50

VAN MONB' Theory of Improve-
ment 52

Indications of good Varieties... . 53

Seed-planting 48

Thinning Fruit 261

TiTins relating to Quality 18S

Trenching 2t

Cost of 28

Transporting 43

Urbaniste 228

VAN MONB' Theory of Improving

Seedlinss 53

Vicar of Winkfleld 220

Withered Trees. Treatment of. 103

Winter Pears, Ripening of 265

Dilllrulty of 266

Laws Governing do 265

Winter Nelis 205

White Doyenne 224

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of Original Recipes and Valuable Information in reference to Farm and Dairy manage-
ment, whereby every man can be his own Cattle Doctor. The principles taught in
thia work are, that all Medication shall be subservient to Nature — that all Medicines
must be sanative in their operation, and administered with a view of aiding the vital
powers, instead of depressing, as heretofore, with the lancet or by pcisoa. By G IL
DADD, M. D., Veterinary Practitioner.

THE DOG AND GUN, 50

A FEW LOOSE CHAPTERS ON SHOOTING, among which will be found

some Anecdotes and Incidents ; also, Instructions for Dog Breaking, and Interesting let-
ters from Sportsmen. By A BAD SHOT.

MORGAN HORSES, 1 00

A PREMIUM ESSAY ON THE ORIGIN, HISTORY, AND CHARACTER:

of this remarkable American Breed of Horses ; tracing the Pedigree from the original
Justin Morgan, through the most noted of his progeny, down to the present time.
With numerous portraits. To which are added hints for Breeding, Breaking, and
General Use and Management of Horses, with practical Directions for training them fur
exhibition at Agricultural Fairs. By D. C. LINSLKY.

SORGHO AND IMPHEE, THE CHINESE AND AFRICAN SUGAR

CANES 1 00

A COMPLETE TREATISE UPON THEIR ORIGIN AND VARIETIES, CULTURE

t»nd Uses, their value as a Foraee Crop, and directions for making Sugar, Molasses,
Alcohol, Sparkling and Still Wlnee, Beer, Cider, Vinegar, Paper. Starch, and Dye
Stuffs. Fully Illustrated with Drawings of Approved Machinery ; With an Appendix
by LEONARD WRAT, of Caffrarla, and a description of his patented process of crystalliz-
ing the juice of the Imphee ; with the latest American experiments, including th<
1867, in the South. By HENRY S. OLCOTT. To which are added translations of valu-
able French Pamphlets, received from the Hon. JOHN Y. MASON, American Minister
at Paris.

THE STABLE BOOK, 1 00

A TREATISE ON THE MANAGEMENT OF HORSES, IN RELATION TO

Stabling, Groom^ ~ 7> -Ming, Watering and Working, Construction of Stables, Ven'.i'a
tlon, Appendage* ^ otables, Management of the Feet, and of Diseased and Defective
Horses. By JOHN STEWART, Veterinary Surgeon. With Notes and Additions, adapt-
ing it to American Food and Climate. By A. B. ALLEN, Editor of the American
Agriculturist.

THE HORSE'S FOOT, AND HOW TO KEEP IT SOUND, - 50

WITH CUTS, ILLUSTRATING THE ANATOMY OF THE FOOT, and contain-
ing valuable Hints on Shoeing and Stable Management, In Health and in Disease. By

"HE FRUIT GARDEN 1 25

A TREATISE, INTENDED TO EXPLAIN AND ILLUSTRATE THE PIIVSI-

ology of Fruit Trees, the Theory and Practice of all Operations connected with th«
Propa-riition, Transplanting, Pruning and Training of Orchard and Garden Trees, nn
Standards, i)warfs. Pyramids, Espalier, &c. The Laying out and Arranging
kinds of Orchards and Gardens, the selection of suitable varieties for different p,irpo<o?
and localities, Gathering and Preserving Fruits, Treatment of Diseases. Oestnicti.-n »«
Insects, Description and Uses of Implements, Ac. Illustrated with upwards of 1M
Figures, representing Different Parts of Trees, all Practical Operations fonrs ofTrees,
iVsL'ns. for Plantations, Implements, &c. By P.BARRT, of tLe Mount Hope Nurseries,
Rochester, N. Y.

FIELD'S PEAR CULTURE, 75

THE PEAR GARDEN ; or, a Treatise on the Propagation rml
Cultivation of the Pear Tree, with Instructions for it* Management from' the
to the Bearing Tree. By THOMAB \V. FIELD.

Books Published by A. 0. MOORE.

BRIDGEIffAN'S (THOS.) YOUNG GARDENER'S ASSISTANT, $1 50

IN THREE PARTS, Containing Catalogues of Garden and Flower

Seod, wlUj Practical Directions under each head for the Cultivation of Culinary Vege-
table «nd Viewers. Also directions for Cultivating Fruit Trees, the Grape Vine, &c.,
to which, is added, a Calendar to each part, showing the work necessary to be done in
the vuious departments each mouth of the year. One volume octavo.
BRIDGEMAN'S KITCHEN GARDENER'S INSTRUCTOR, i Cloth, 50

Cloth, 60

BEIDG'EMAN'S FLORIST'S GUIDE, .... * Cloth, 50
" - Cloth, 60

BRIDGEMAN'S FRUIT CULTIVATOR'S MANUAL, - * Cloth, 50

Cloth, 60

COLE'S AMERICAN FRUIT BOOK, 50

CONTAINING DIRECTIONS FOR BAISING, PROPAGATING AND MANAG-
Ing Fruit Traes, Shrubs and Plants ; with a description of the Best Varieties of FrzJt.
including New and Valuable Kinds.

COLE'S AMERICAN VETERINARIAN, .... 50

CONTAINING DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS, THEIR CAUSES,
Symptoms and Remedies ; with Kules for Restoring and Preserving Health by good
management ; also for Training and Breeding.

SCHENCK'S GARDENER'S TEXT BOOK, .... 50

CONTAINING DIRECTIONS FOR THE FORMATION AND MANAGEMENT

of the Kitchen Garden, the Culture and Use of Vegetables, Fruits and Medicinal Herbs.

AMERICAN ARCHITECT, - - 6 00

THE AMERICAN ARCHITECT, Comprising original Designs of Cheap

Country and Village Residences, with Details, Specifications, Plans and Directions,
and an Estimate of the Cost of Each Design. By JOHN W. RITCH, Architect. First
and Second Series, 4to, bound in 1 -*oL

BUIST'S (ROBERT) AMERICAN FLOWER GARDEN DIRECTORY, 1 25
CONTAINING PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS FOR THE CULTURE OF PLANTS,

in the Flower-Garden, Hot-House, Green-House, Rooms or Parlor Windows, for every
Month in the Year ; with a Description of the Plants most desirable in each, the nature
of the Soil and Situation best adapted to their Growth, the Proper Season for Trans-
planting, &c. ; with Instructions for Erecting a Hot-House, Green-House, and Laying
out a Flower Garden : the whole adapted to either Large or Small Gardens, with In-
structions for Preparing the Soil, Propagating, Planting, Pruning, Training and Fruit-
ing the Grape Vine.
THE AMERICAN BIRD FANCIER, .....

CONSIDERED WITH REFERENCE TO THE BREEDING, BEARING, FEED-
ing, Management and Peculiarities of Cage and House Birds. Illustrated with Engrav-
ings. By D. JAY BROWNE.
REEMELIN'S (CHAS.) VINE DRESSER'S MANUAL, . - 50

AN ILLUSTRATED TREATISE ON VINEYARDS AND WINE-MAKING,

containing Full Instructions as to Location and Soil, Preparation of Ground, Selection
and Propagation of Vines, the Treatment of Young Vineyards, Trimming and Training
the Vines, Manures, and tha Making of Wine.

DANA'S MUCK MANUAL, FOR THE USE OF FARMERS, - 1 00

A TREATISE ON THE PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OP

Boils and Chemistry of Manures: including, also, the subject of Composte, Artificial
Manures and Irrigation. A new edition, with a Chapter on Bones and Superphos-
phates.

CHEMICAL FIELD LECTURES FOR AGRICULTURISTS, - 1 00

By Dr. JULIUS ADOLPHUS STOCKHARDT, Professor in the Royal
Academy of Agriculture at Tharant Translated from the German. Edited, with
notes, bv JAM s E. TBCHEMACBJO.

Books Published by A. 0. MOORP

BUIST'S1 (BBOF.RT) FAMILY KITCHEN GARDENER, * $0 78

CONTAINING PLAIN AND ACCURATE DESCRIPTIONS OF AL*, THE DIF-
ferent Species and Varieties of Culinary Vegetables, \vtth their Botanical, English,
French and German names, alphabetically arranged, with the Best Ho«le of Cultivating
them tn the Garden or under Glass ; also Descriptions and Character of the most Select
Fruits, their Management, Propagation, Ac. By lloufcKT BUIST, author of the "Am-
erican Flower Garden Directory," «fcc.

DOMESTIC AND ORNAMENTAL POULTRY. Plain Plates, - 1 00

Do. Do. Do. Colored Plates, - 2 OvJ

A TREATISE ox THE HISTORY AND MANGEJIENT OF ORNAMENTAL

and Domestic Poultry. By Rev. EDMUND SAUL Dixow, A.M., with large additions b«

J. J. KEEK, M.D. Illustrated with sixty-five Original Portraits, engraved exprefltly fox

this work. Fourth edition revised.

HOW TO BUILD AND VENTILATE HOT-HOUSES, - 1 W

A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON THE CONSTRUCTION, HEATING AND

Yentilation of Hot-Houses, including Conservatories, Green-Howes, Graperies and
other kinds of Horticultural Structures, with Practical Directions for their Manage
mcnt, in regard to Light, Heat and Air. Illustrated with numerous engravings. By
P. B. LEUCIIABS, Garden Architect

CHORLTON'S GRAPE-GROWER'S GUIDE, - - 60

INTENDED ESPECIALLY FOR THE AMERICAN CLIMATE. Beins: a

Practical Treatise on the Cultivation of the Grape Vine in each department of Hot
House, Cold Grapery, Retarding House and Out-door Culture. "With Plans for tfr«
Construction of the liequisite Buildings, and giving the hest methods for Heating the
same. Every department being fully illustrated. By WILLIAM CHORLTON.

NORTON'S (JOHN P.) ELEMENTS OF SCIENTIFIC AGRICULTURE, 6P

OR, THE CONNECTION BETWEEN SCIENCE AND THE ART OF PRACTICAL

Farming. Prize Essay of the New York State Agricultural Society. By JOHN P.

NOETON, M.A., Professor of Scientific Agriculture in Yale College. Adapted to the

use of Schools.

JOHNSTON'S (J. F. W.) CATECHISM OF AGRICULTURAL CHEM-
ISTRY AND GEOLOGY, - 25
BY JAMES F. W. JOHNSTON, M.A., FJl.SS.L. and E., Honorary
Member of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, and author of "Lectures on
Agricultural Chemistry and Geology." "With an Introduction by JOHN PITKIN NOB-
TON, M.A., late Professor of Scientific Agriculture in Yale College. With notes find
additions by the author, prepared expressly for this edition, and an Appendix compiled
by the Superintendent of Education in Nova Scotia. Adapted to the use of Schools.
JOHNSTON'S (J. F. W.) ELEMENTS OF AGRICULTURAL CHEM-
ISTRY AND GEOLOGY, 1 00

With a Complete Analytical and Alphabetical Index ami an

American Preface. By Hon. SIMON BROWK, Editor of the "New England Farmer.'

JOHNSTON'S (JAMES F. W.) AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY, 1 25

LECTURES ON THE APPLICATION OF CHEMISTRY AND GEOLOGY TO

Agriculture. New edition, with an Appendix, containing the Author's Experiment!

In Practical Agriculture

THE: COMPLETE FARMER AND AMERICAN GARDENER, i 25

RURAL ECONOMIST AND NEW AMERICAN GARDENER ; Cont&Miitig

a Compendious Epitome of the most Important Branches of Agriculture and Rural
Economy ; with Practical Directions on the Cultivation of Fruits and Vegetables, in-
cluding Landscape and Ornamental Gardening. By THOMAS G. FESSKN^EM. 2 vola.
in one.

fESSENDEN'S (T. G.) AMERICAN KITCHEN GARDENER, - 50

CONTAINING DIRECTIONS FOR THE CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES AND

Garden Frutta Cloth.

Books Published by A. 0. MOORE.

KASH'S (J. A.) PSOGEESSIVE FAEMEE SO 60

A SCIENTIFIC TREATISE ON AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY, THE Ge-
ology of Agriculture, on Plants and Animals, Manures and Soils, applied to Practical
Agriculture ; with a Catechism of Scientific and Practical Agriculture. By J. A, K ABU

EEECK'S BOOK OF FLOWEES, - 1 00

IN WHICH ARE DESCRIBED ALL THE VARIOUS HARDY HERBACEOUS
Perennials, Annuals, Shrubs, Plants and Evergreen Trees, with Directions for their
Cultivation.

I ttlTH'S (C. H. J.) LANDSCAPE GAEDENING, PAEKS AND PLEASUEE
GEOUNDS, - 125

WITH PRACTICAL NOTES ON COUNTRY RESIDENCES, VILLAS, PUBLIC
Parks and Gardens. By CHARLES H. J. Surra, Landscape Gardener and Garden
Architect, Ac. With Notes and Additions by LEWIS F. ALLEN, author of "Rural
Architecture."

I HE COTTON PLANTEE'S MANUAL, .... 1 00

BEING A COMPILATION OP FACTS FROM THE BEST AUTHORITIES ON

the Culture of Cotton, its Natural History, Chemical Analysis, Trade and Consumption,
and embracing a History of Cotton and the Cotton Gin. By J. A. TURNER.

UOBBETT'S AMEEICAN GAEDENEE, 50

A TREATISE ON THE SITUATION, SOIL, AND LAYING-OUT OF GARDENS,

and the making and managing of Hot-Beds and Green-Houses, and on the Propagation
and Cultivation of the several sorts of Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits and Flowers.

ALLEN (J. FISK) ON THE CTJLTUEE OF THE GEAPE, - I 00

A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON THE CULTURE AND TREATMENT OF THB

Grape Vine, embracing its History, with Directions for its Treatment in the United
States of America, in the Open Air and under Glass Structures, with and without
Artificial Heat. By J. FISK ALLEN.

ALLEN'S (E. L ) DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS, - 75

BEING A HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF THE HORSE, MULE, CATTLE,

Sheep, Swine, Poultry, and Farm Dogs, with Directions for their Management, Breed.
ing, Crossing, Rearing, Feeding, and Preparation for a Profitable Market ; also, their
Diseases and Remedies, together with full Directions for the Management of the Dairy,
and the comparative Economy and Advantages of \Vorking Animals, the Horse, Mule,
Oxen, &«. By R. L. ALLEN.

ALLEN'S (E. L.) AMEEICAN FAEM BOOK, - - - 1 00

THE AMERICAN FARM BOOK ; or, a Compend of American Agricul-
ture, being a Practical Treatise on Soils, Manures, Draining, Irrigation, Grasses, Grain,
Roots, Fruits, Cotton, Tobacco, Sugar Cane, Rice, and every Staple Product of the
United States ; with the Best Methods of Planting, Cultivating and Preparatioa for
Market. Illustrated with more than 100 engravings. By R. L. ALLEN.

ALLEN'S (L. F.) ETJEAL ARCHITE0TUEE ; - - I 25

BEING A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OP FARM HOUSES, COTTAGES, AND
Oat Buildings, comprising Wood Houses, Workshops, Tool Houses, Carriage aud
Wagon Houses, Stables, Smoke and Ash Houses, Ice Houses, Apiaries or Bee Houses,
Poultry Houses, Rabbitry, Dovecote, Piggery, Barns, and Sheds for Cattle, &c., &c,
together with Lawns, Pleasure Grounds, and Parks ; the Flower, Fruit, and "Vege-
table Garden ; also useful and ornamental domestic Animals for the Country Resident,
•fee., &c Also, the best method of conducting water into Cattle Yards and Houses,
Beautifully illustrated.

WAEING'S ELEMENTS OF AGEICULTUEE ; .... IS

A BOOK TOR YOUNG FARMERS, WITH QUESTIONS FOR THB USB or
•duck

Boolts Published by A. 0. MOORE.

PARDEE (B. G.) ON STRAWBERRY CULTURE ; 60 60

A COMPLETE MANUAL FOR THE CULTIVATION OF THE STRAWBERRY ;

with a description of the best varieties.

Also, notkes of the Raspberry, Blackberry, Currant, Goosebe-ty, and Grape; with
directions for their cultivation, and the selection of the best varieties. " Every proreai
here recommended has been proved, the plans tt others tried, and the result is Ler«
given." With a valuable appendix, containing the observations and experieac d
•ome of the moat successful cultivators of these fruits in our country.

OUENON ON MILCH COWS ; - 60

A TREATISE ON MILCH Cows, whereby the Quality and Quantity of

Milk which any Cow will give maybe accurately determined by observing Natnra.'
Marks or External Indications alone; the lergtn of time she will continue to give
Milk, &c., &c. By M. FRANCIS GUKNON, of Libonrne, France. Translated by NICHO-
LAS P. TRIST, Esc. ; with Inti eduction, Remarks, and Observations on the Cow and
the Dairy, by JOHN 8. SKINNER. Illustrated with numerous engravings. Neatly
done up in paper covers, 37 cts.

AMERICAN POULTRY YARD ; .... 1 00

COMPRISING THE ORIGIN, HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION of the different

Breeds of Domestic Poultry, with complete directions for their Breeding, Crossing,
Bearing, Fattening, and Preparation for Market ; including specific directions for
Caponi/iug Fowls, and for the Treatment of the Principal Diseases to which they are
subject, drawn from authentic sources and personal observation. Illustrated v/iih
numerous engravings. By D. J. BROWNE.

BROWNE'S (D. JAY) FIEL D BOOK OF MANURES ; 1 25

OR, AMERICAN MUCK BOOK ; Treating1 of the Nature, Properties,
Sources, History, and Operations of all the Principal Fertilizers and Manures in Com-
mon Use, with specific directions for their Preservation, and Application to the Soil
and to Crops; drawn from authentic sources, actual experience, and personal observa-
tion, as combined with the Leading Principles of Practical and Scientific Agriculture-
By D. JAY BROWNE.

RANDALL'S (H. S.) SHEEP HUSBANDRY; . - - 125

WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE DIFFERENT BREEDS, and general direc-
tions in regard to Summer and Winter Management, Breeding, and the Treatment of
Diseases, with Portraits and other Engravings. By HENRY S. RANDALL.

THE SHEPHERD'S OWN BOOK ; . - - - - 2 00

WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE DIFFERENT BREEDS, DISEASES AND MAX-
agement of Sheep, and General Directions in regard to Summer and Winter Man-
agement, Breeding, and the Treatment of Diseases ; with Illustrative Engrav ngs, by
YOUATT & RANDALL; embracing Skinner's Notes on the Breed and Management of
thcep In the United states, and on the Culture of Fine Wool

YOUATT ON SHEEP , 75

THEIR BREED, MANAGEMENT AND DISEASES, with Illustrative En-
gravings ; to which are added Remarks on the Breeds and Management of Sheep In
the Unit*! States, and on the Culture of Fine Wool In Silesia. By WILLIAM YOUATT.

'JTOUATT AND MARTIN ON CATTLE ; 1 25

BEING A TREATISE ON THEIR BREEDS, MANAGEMENT, AND Di>
comprislng a full History of the Various Races; their Ori.zin, Breeding, and Merits;
their ^parity for Beef and Milk. l:y W. YOUATT and W. C. L. MARTIN. The whole
fcnnin<r a Complete Guide for the Farmer, tho Amateur, and the Veterinary Surgeon,
with loO Illustrations. Edited by AMBUOSK STEVENS.

f O'JATT ON THE HORSE ; - 1 f*5

YOCATT ON THE STRUCTURE AND DISEASES OF THE FToRSE, with
their Remedies. Also, Practical Rules for Buyers, Breeders, Smiths, A-c. Edited by
W. C. SPOOLER, M.R.C Y B. With an account of the Breeds In the United - tales, by
6. RANDALL.

Books Published by A. 0. MOORE. 7

fOUATT AND MAETIN ON THE HOG ; - - - - $0 75

A TREATISE ON THE BREEDS. MANAGEMENT, AJTD MEDICAL TREAT-

ment of Swine, with Directions for Salting Pork, and Curing Paeon and Earns. Fy
WM. YOUATT, V.S , and W- C L. MAETIN. Edited byAMBBOSE STEVENS. Illustrated
with Etgravings drawn from life

BLAKE'S (REV. JOHN I.) FARMER AT HOME; - 1 25

A FAMILY TEXT BOOK FOR THE COUNTRY ; Deing a Cyclopedia of

Agricultural Implements and Productions, and of the more important topics in Do-
mestic Economy, t cience, and Literature, adapted to Rural Life. By Kev. JOHN L

BlAJCE,DD.

MUNN'S (B.) PRACTICAL LAND DRAINER; - 50

BEING A TREATISE ON DRAINING LAND, in which the most approved

systems of Drainage are explained, and their differences and comparative merits dis-
cussed ; with full Directions for the Cutting and Making of Drains, with Kemarks upon
the various materials of which they may be constructed. With many illustrations, i y
B. MCNN, Landscape Gardener.

ELLIOTT'S AMERICAN FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE IN ORCHARD
AND GARDEN ; 1 25

BEING A COMPEXD OF THE HISTORY, MODES OF PROPAGATION, CUL-

ture. <fec., of Fruit Trees and Shrubs, with descriptions of nearly all the varieties of
Pruits cultivated in this country ; and Notes of their adaptation to localities, soils, and
a complete list of iruits worthy of cultivation, l-'y F. R. ELLIOTT, Pomologist.

PRACTICAL FRUIT, FLOWER, AND KITCHEN GARDENER'S COM-
PANION; - 1 00

WITH A CALENDAR. BY PATRICK NEILL, LL.D., F.K.S.E., Secre

tary of the Eoyal Caledonian Horticultural Society. Adapted to the United States
from the fourth edition, revised and improved by the author. Edited by G. EMERSON,
M D., Editor of "The American Farmer's Encyclopedia." With Notes and Additions
by E. G PARDEB, author of "Manual of the Strawberry Culture." With illustrations

STEPHENS' (HENRY) BOOK OF THE FARM; - 4 00

A COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE FARMER, STEWARD, PLOWMAN, CAT-

tleman, Shepherd, Field Worker, and Dairy Maid. By HENRY STEPHENS. With Four
Hundred and Fifty Illustrations ; to which are added Explanatory Notes, Kemarks,
&c., by J. 8. SKINNER. Eeally one of the best books a farmer can possess.

PEDDERS' (JAMES) FARMERS' LAND MEASURER; - - 50

OR, POCKET COMPANION ; Showing at one view the Contents of an}7
Piece of Land from Dimensions taken in Yards. With a set of Useful Agriculture.
Tables.

WHITE'S (W. N.) GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH; - - 1 S25

OR, THE KITCHEN AND FRUIT GARDEN, with the best methods for

found by trial adapted to the States of the Union south of Pennsylvania, with Garden-
Ing Calendars lor the same. By WM. N. WHITE, of Athens, Georgia.

EASTWOOD (B.) ON THE CULTIVATION OF THE CRANBERRY ; 50

WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST VARIETIES. BY B. EASTWOOD,
"Septimus" of the New York Tribune.

AMERICAN BEE-KEEPER'S MANUAL ; - - - - 100

BEING A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON THE HISTORY AND DOMESTIC

Economy of the Honey Bee, embracing a full frustration of the whole subject, with
the most approved methods of managing this Insect, through every branch of it*
Cnltu e; the resnlt of many vears' experience. Illustrated with maay engravings
By T. B. MIKBB.

Ifoolcs Published by A. 0. MOORE.

THAER'S lALBERT DO AGRICULTURE - - - $2 CO

THE PRINCIPLES OF AGRICULTURE, by ALBERT D. THAER ; trans-
lated by WILLIAM SHAW and CUTHBEBT W. JOHKSON, Esq., F.E.S. With a Memoir
of the Author. 1 vol 8vo.

This work is regarded by those who are competent to judge aa one of the most
beautiful works that has ever appeared on the subject of Agriculture. At the samo
time that it is eminently practical, it is philoso; hicttl, and, even to the general reader,
remarkably entertaining.

BOUSSINGAULT'S (J. B.) RURAL ECONOMY, - 1 25

IN ITS RELATIONS TO CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS, AND METEOROLOGY :
or, Chemistry applied to Agriculture. By J. B. BOUSSINOAULT. Translated; with
notes, etc., by GEOROK LAW, Agriculturist.

" The work is the fruit of a long life of study and experiment, and its perusal will
•id the farmer greatly in obtaining a practical and scientific knowledge of his profes-
sion."

MYSTERIES OF BEE-KEEPING EXPLAINED ; - - - 1 00

BEING A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OP THE WHOLE SUBJECT, consisting

of the Natural History of Bees; Directions for obtaining the greatest amount of Pur^
Surplus Honey with "the least possible expense; Remedies for losses given, and the
Science of Luck fully illustrated; the result of more than twenty years' experience in
extensive Apiaries. By M QCINBV.

THE COTTAGE AND FARM BEE-KEEPER ; 50

A PRACTICAL WORK, by a Country Cnrate.

WEEKS (JOHN M.) ON BEES.— A MANUAL ; 50

OR, AN EASY METHOD OF MANAGING BEES IN THE MOST PROFITABLE
manner to their owner; with infallible rules to prevent their destruction by the Moih
With an appendix, by WOOSTER A. FLANDERS.

THE ROSE; - - 50

BEING A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON THE PROPAGATION, CULTIVATION,

and Management «f the Rose in all Seasons; with a 11«t of Choice and Approved Varie-
ties. adapted to the Climate of the United States; to which is added full directions for
the Treatment of the Dahlia. Illustrated by Engravings.

MOORE'S RURAL HAND BOOKS, ..... 1 26

FIRST SERIES, containing Treatises on —

THE HORSE, THE PESTS OF THE FARM,

Tna HOG, DOMESTIC FOWLS, and

TUB HONEY BEE, THE Cow,

SECOND SERIES, containing — 1 25

£VKUT LADT H«R own FLOWER GARDENER, ESSAT ON MANURES,
iCr/EMENTs or AGRIOULTUBF, AMERICAN KITCHEN GARDENEB,

I&IRD FANCIER, AMERICAN ROSE CCLTCBIST.

THIRD SERIES, containing — ..... 1 25

MILES ON THE HORSE'S FOOT, VINE DRESSER'S MANUAL,

THE RABBIT FANCIER, BKE-KEBI-VB'B CHART,

WEEKS ON BEES, CHEMISTRY MADE EAST.

FOURTH SERIES, containing — - ... 1 25

PERSOZ ON THI VIM*, HOOPER'S DOG AND Gun,

LIKBIG B FAMILIAR LETTERS, SKILLFUL UOI-BEWIFH,

BROWNE s MEMOIRS OF INDIAN CORN.

RICHARDSON ON LOGS : THEIR ORIGIN AND VARIETIES. . 60

Pi '.MOTIONS ASTO TIIKIK (iKXKKAL M ANAf ,'KMENT. With

.

original anecdotes. Also. Complete Instructions as to Treatment under Disease. By
H IX RICHARDSON. Illustrated with numerous wood engravings.
This is not only a cheap work, but one of the best evw -jublished on the Dog.

Books Published by A. 0. MOORE. 9

EJEBIG'S (JUSTUS) FAMILIAR LECTURES ON CHEMISTRY, $0 50

AND ITS RELATION TO COMMERCE, PHYSIOLOGY, AND AGRICULTURE.

Edlied by JOHN GABDESEB, M.D.
BEMENT'S (C. N.) RABBIT FANCIER; .... 50

A TREATISE ON THE BREEDING, BEARING, FEEDING, AND GENERAL
Management of Babbits, with remarks upon their diseases and remedies, to which are
added full directions for the construction of Hutches, Babbitries, &c., together with
recipes for cooking and dressing for the Table. Beautifully illustrated.

.THOMPSON (R. D.) ON THE FOOD OF ANIMALS . - 75

EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCHES ON THE FOOD OF ANIMALS AND THE
Fattening of Cattle ; with remarks on the Food of Man. Based upon Experiments
undertaken by order of the British Government, bv EOBEET DUNDAS THOMI SON, M.D.t
Lecturer on Practical Chemistry, University of Glasgow.

THE WESTERN FRUIT BOOK ; ..... 125

BEING A COMPEND OF THE HISTORY, MODES OF PROPAGATION, CUL-
ture, &c., of Fruit Trees and Shrubs, Ac., Ac. By F. B. ELLIOTT.

THE SKILLFUL HOUSEWIFE ; - - 50

OR COMPLETE GUIDE TO DOMESTIC COOKERY, TASTE, COMFORT, AND

Economy, embracing 659 recipes pertaining to Household Duties, the care of Health,
Gardening, Birds, Education of Children, Ac., &c. By Mrs L. G. AEELL.

THE AMERICAN FLORIST'S GUIDE; 75

COMPRISING THE AMERICAN ROSE CULSURIST AND EVERY LADY HEB

own Flower Gardener.
EVERY LADY HER CY/N FLOWER GARDENER; - - 50

ADDRESSED TO THE INDUSTRIOUS AND ECONOMICAL ONLY ; containing

simple and practical Directions for Cultivating Plants and Flowers; also, Hints for the
Management of Flowers in Booms, with brief Botanical Descriptions <,t Plants and
Flowers. The whole in plain and simple language. By LOUISA j OUNSOK.

FISH CULTURE; * °°

A TREATISE ON THE ARTIFICIAL PROPAGATION OF CERTAIN KINDS OP

Fish with the description and habits of such kinds as are most suitable for pisciculture.
Also directions for the most successful methods of Angling illustrated with numerous
engravings By THEODATUS GAELIOK, M.D., Vice President of Cleveland Academy
of Natural Science.
FLINT ON GRASSES ;

A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON GRASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS, COMPRIS-

ine their natural history, comparative nutritive value, methods of cultivating, cutting,
and curing, and the management of grass lands. By CHAS. L. FLINT, A.M., Secretary
of Mass. State Board of Agriculture.

WARDER ON HEDGES AND EVERGREENS ; - - 1 00

A MANUAL ON LIVE FENCES, WITH PARTICULAR DIRECTIONS FOR THEIR

planting culture and trimming, especially with regard to the Madura hedges and
how toWke it. Also an essay on Evergreens, their varieties, propagation transplant-
ing and culture in the United States. By JOHN A. WABDEB, M.D., President of
Cincinnati Horticultural Society.

1C BooJcs Published by A. 0. MOORE.

M 0 ORE'S

01 Jjtaral ani Domestic $c0tt0m]j.

^U arranged and adapted to the Use of American Farmer*.

PRICE 25 CENTS EACH.

HOGS;

THEIR ORIGIN, VARIETIES AND MANAGEMENT, with a View to Pro-

fit, and Treatment under Disease: also Plain Directions relative to the most approved
modes of preserving their Flesh. By H. D. KICHARDSON, author of "The Hive »nd the
Honey Bee," &<!., &c. With illustrations— 12mo.

THE HIVE AND THE HONEY BEE;

WITH PLAIN DIRECTIONS FOR OBTAINING A CONSIDERABLE ANNUAL

Income from this branch of Kural Economy; also an Account of the Diseases of Bee*
»nd their Kennedies, and Remarks as to their Enemies, and the best mede of protecting
the Hives from their attacks. By H. D. KICHARDSON. With illustrations.

DOMESTIC FOWLS ;

. THEIR NATURAL HISTORY, BREEDING, REARING, AND GENERAL
Man»*«ment. By H. D. RICHARDSON, author of " The Natural History of the Fossil
Deer," Ac. With illustrations.

THE HOLSE ;

THEIR ORIGIN AND VARIETIES ; WITH PLAIN DIRECTIONS AS TO THE
Breeding, Rearing, and General Management, with Instructions as to the Treatment of
Disease. Handsomely illustrated— 12mo. By H. D. RICHABDSON.

THE ROSE;

THE AMERICAN ROSE CULTURIST ; being a Practical Treatise on the
Pronagatt-m, Cultivation, and Management in all Seasons, dec. With fall directions for
the Treatment of the Dahlia.

THE PESTS OF THE FARM ;

WITH INSTRUCIONS FOR THEIR EXTIRPATION ; being a Manual of
Plain DJwictions for the certain Destruction of every description of Vermin. With
numerous illustrations on Wood.

AN ESSAY ON MANURES ;

SUBMITTED TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY FOB
Promoting Agriculture, for their Premium. By SAMUEL H. DAWA.

THE AMERICAN BIRD FANCIER ;

CONSIDERED WITH REFERENCE TO THE BREEDING, REARING, FEED-
Ingr, Management, and Peculiarities of Cage and House Birds. Illustrated with Enerar
ings. By D. JAY BBOWXK.
CHEMISTRY MADE EASY ;

FOR THE USE OF FARMERS. By J. TOPHAM.
ELEMENTS OF AGRICULTURE ;

• TBANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH, and Adapted to the use of American

F»rra«r8. By F. Q. SKIMNEK.

Books Published by A. 0. MOORE. 11

THE HORSE'S FOOT AND HOW TO KEEP IT SOUND ;

WITH CUTS, illustrating the Anatomy of the Foot, and containing
valuable hints on shoeing and stable management, both in health and disease. By WIL-
LIAM MILES.

THE SKILLFUL HOUSEWIFE;

Or, Complete Guide to Domestic Cookery, Taste, Comfort, and Econ-
omy, embracing 659 recipes pertaining to Household Duties, the care of Health, Oar.
dening, Birds, Education of Children, &c., &c. By Mrs. L. G. ABELL.

THE AMERICAN KITCHEN GARDENER ;

CONTAINING DIRECTIONS FOR THE CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES aud

6«rden Fruits. By T. G. FESSENDEN.
CHINESE SUGAR CANE AND SUGAR MAKING ;

ITS HISTORY, CULTURE, AND ADAPTATION TO THE SOIL, CLIMATE,

and Economy of the United States, with an account of various processes of Manufac-
turing Sugar. Drawn from authentic sources by CHARLES F. STANSBURY, A.M., late
Commissioner at the Exhibition of all Nations at London.

PERSOZ' CULTURE OF THE VINE ;

A NEW PROCESS FOR THE CULTURE OF THE VINE, by PERSOZ, Pro-
fessor to the Faculty of Sciences of Strasbourg ; directing Professor of the SchooJ
of Pharmacy of the same city. Translated by J. O'C. BAECLAY, Surgeon U.S. N.
THE BEE KEEPER'S CHART;

BEING A BRIEF PRACTICAL TREATISE ON THE INSTINCT, HABITS, and
Management of the Honey Bee, in all its various branches, the result of many years'
practical experience, whereby the author has been enabled to divest the subject of
much that has been consideed mysterious and difficult to overcome, and lender h
more sure, profitable, and interesting to every one, than it has heretofore been. By
E. W. PHELPS.

EVERY LADY HER OWN FLOWER GARDENER;

ADDRESSED TO THE INDUSTRIOUS AND ECONOMICAL ONLY ; containing

Simple and Practical Directions for Cultivating Plants «nd Flowers ; also, Hints for
the Management of Flowers in Kooms, with brief Botanical Descriptions of Plants and
Flowers. The vhole in plain and simple language. By LOUISA JOHNSON.

THE COW ; DAIRY HUSBANDRY AND CATTLE BREEDING.

By M. M. MILBURN, and revised by H. D. EICHAEDSON and AMBROSE

With Illustrations.

WILSON ON THE CULTURE OF FLAX ;

ITS TREATMENT, AGRICULTURAL AND TECHNICAL ; delivered before
the New York State Agricultural Society, at the Annual Fair »t Saratoga, In Septem-
ber last, by JOHN WILSON, late President of the Royal Agricultural College at Ciren
cester, England.

WEEKS ON BEES: A MANUAL.

OR, AN EASY METHOD OF MAN AGING J*EES IN THE MOST PROFITA*
ble manner to their owner, with infallible rules to prevent their rtflfltrnctiop by t'at
Moth ; with an Appendix by WOOSTEB A. FLANDBBS.

REEMELIN'S (CHAS.) VINE DRESSER'S MANUAL ;

CONTAINING FULL INSTRUCTIONS as to LOCATION and SOIL ; Prepara-
tion of Ground; Selection and Propagation of Vin'*; the Treatrrv^t of a Young
Vineyard ; trimming and training the vines ; manures and the making ef * tee, Erery
department illustrated.

HYDE'S CHINESE SUGAR CANE;

CONTAINING ITS HISTORY, MODE OF CULTURE, MANUFACTURE of the
Sugar, &c. ; with Reports of its success in different parts of the United Sfcatefc

12 Books Published ly A. 0. MOORE.

BEMENT'S (C. M.) BABBIT FANCIER ;

A TREATISE ON THE BREEDING, REARING, FEEDING, AND GENERAL
Management of Rabbits, with remarks upon their diseases and remedies; to which
are added luil directions for the construction of Hutches, Babbitries, &c., together with
recipes for cooking and dressing for the table.

RICHARDSON ON DOGS : THEIR ORIGIN AND VARIETIES ;

DIRECTIONS AS TO THEIR GENERAL MANAGEMENT. With numerous
original anecdotes. Also Complete Instructions as to Treatment under Disease. By
H. D. EICHAUDSON. Illustrated with numerous wood engravings.
This is not only a cheap, but one of the best works ever published on the Dog.

LIEBIG'S (JUSTUS) FAMILIAR LETTERS ON CHEMISTRY ;

AND ITS RELATION TO COMMERCE, PHYSIOLOGY, AND AGRICULTURE.

Edited by JOHN GAKDENER, M. D.
THE DOG AND GUN ;

A FEW LOOSE CHAPTERS ON SHOOTING, among which will be found
some Anecdotes and Incidents. Also Instructions for Dog Breaking, and interesting
letters from Sportsmen. BY A BAD SHOT.

THE PRESERVATION OF FOOD ;

THE VARIOUS METHODS OF PRESERVING MEATS, FRUITS, VEGETABLES.
Milk, Butter, Grain, <kc., by drying, smoking, pickling, and other processes. By E.
GOODBICH SMITH.