Discussion on Pears. 203 



where the roots go down to water. I have trees planted in 1851 and 

 they have not blighted ; but those of mine which have been trans- 

 planted have been blighted more or less. 



Mr. Johnson, of Indiana — We are near the close of our interest- 

 ing meeting. I am satisfied it will close with better feeling if we 

 drop this subject. 



Mr. Ohmer, of Ohio — I have been growing pears for sixteen 

 years, having some 4,000 trees. During the first half of the time 

 I lost 500 or 600, but I do not think I have lost more than ten 

 within three years. Pears can be grown successfully near Dayton, 

 though they may not be at other places. I am situated about 200 

 feet above Dayton. I have a sandy soil, and below that there is 

 gravel. I never use manure of any kind for pears. I sow clover and 

 let it stand three or four years, and then turn it under. Where I con- 

 tinued to cultivate my pear orchard, or in one instance used stable 

 manure, they blighted some. Some varieties are more healthy than 

 others. 



Mr. Williams, of Kansas — Mr. Peffer spoke of pears having to 

 go down to water. We grew them in Arkansas where they bored 

 for an artesian well and broke the augerjn dry ground. 



Mr. Munson, of Texas — I am glad Mr. Ohmer opened this sore 

 afresh. 'I am sorry to pass a criticism on my seniors, but what do 

 we come here for? Are we to back down? Mr. Ohmer has struck 

 the key for us. At Houston there is an orchard which has not 

 blighted. It was not cultivated after the first season. The man 

 puts his orchards in Bermuda grass. A Mr. Bo wen planted an 

 orchard of 7,000 trees. He cultivated that orchard and the trees 

 blighted. Trees planted in waste places do not blight ; where culti- 

 vated they do. They want to hunt food for themselves. 



Mr. Pefer — I think the last speaker is correct. 



Mr. Peflfer showed a pear seedling with six inches of top and about 

 three feet of root, like a string. 



Maj. Nowlin — I would like to have some information about Keif- 

 fer's Hybrid and LeConte. 



J/r. Fearce, of Ohio — I took special pains to inquire about the 

 Keiffer at the Pomological Society. I talked with Mr. Satherthwait 



