Discussion on Pear Culture. 133 



most important point is to cultivate without excessive stimulation, which 

 predisj^oses to blight, and yet grows enough to produce a fair growth of wood 

 and carry the fruit to its full development. On these two conditions hang 

 the law and the prophets of successful and profitable pear culture in the 

 South. 



DISCUSSIOX ON PEAR CULTURE. 



Dr. Hape, of Georgia — I have nay serious doubts whether the Le- 

 Conte pear is going to succeed in northern latitudes. Near Atlanta 

 I have never been able to procure a single perfect specimen in ten 

 years. It blooms out too early, and of course it is more liable to 

 be killed by .spring frosts. I have never been able to procure a 

 perfect one myself. I have tried it on its own root and otherwise. 

 I may be mistaken about it succeeding further north — I hope I 

 am. I am going to plant it in a moderate way. I have succeeded 

 best with the Bartlett, although it blights considerably. 



Mr. Beatty, of Kentucky — The Chambers pear is grown more 

 extensively around Louisville than any other. There is more profit 

 in it. It is true it grows very slowly, but when it does fruit it sells 

 for twice as much money as the Bartlett. It is pretty to look at, 

 fine size, and ripens with us about the 1st of July. But we have to 

 wait a long time for the fruit. I have three hundred trees of it. 

 They were planted six or eight years ago and last year they began 

 to show some fruit buds. About Middletown, where the original 

 tree is still standing, it is the popular pear. They sell from $10 to 

 S20 per barrel. I never knew them to blight until this year. This 

 year has been the most destructive year for blight I ever knew. In 

 my three hundred Chambers trees I think there are three that have 

 shown some blight in the top limbs. 



The President — What is the peculiarity of the Chambers that 

 makes it command such a price? 



Mr. Beoity, of Kentucky — Its fine size, fine appearance and earli- 

 ness. It has a beautiful red blush. 



Mr. Cook, of Kentucky — I have planted a great many varieties 

 to throw them away after trial, but for the last three or four years 

 I have only been planting about three varieties and have discarded 

 all others. I have discarded the dwarfs, coming to the conclusion 

 that they will not pay. In my experience the Seckel, Lawrence 

 and Beurre d'Anjou are the best varieties. All others blight badly. 



