SOCIETY OP NORTHERN ILLINOIS. 343 



ranked as the highest and the best, the excellence of many varie- 

 ties in particular places, and their inferiority when in other loca- 

 tions. Perhaps the soil may have lost some of its most vital ele- 

 ments, which enter into the pear, therefore those varieties which 

 have gone into a decline for want of proper nourishment must be 

 supplanted by other varieties and with, other stimulating elements- 

 in such varieties of compost that will supply newer and stronger 

 elements of nourishment. 



PREPARATION OF SOIL. 



The pear culturist should understand that the soil upon which 

 he is to establish pear culture must, in all respects, be such as will 

 furnish elements for the pear. The soil should be such as will 

 secure an excellent drainage. Then the thorough pulverizing, 

 deepening and mixing of the soil properly, which will insure a 

 healthy and vigorous growth, adopting the best system of fertil- 

 izing, trimming and cultivation can but secure success. The 

 gratification and delight that one feels in growing a beautiful tree,, 

 and of having been the instrument of supplying the elements that 

 are to mingle with the virgin soil, and cultivating intelligently 

 with proper methods and resources, the cultivator ought to achieve 

 success. The soil should be made suitable by deep plowing one 

 year before the pear stock is planted ; the ground having been 

 plowed and harrowed well it is best to sow peas upon the pear 

 plat in order to keep down the weeds. Early the next spring the 

 ground should be plowed very deep, turning the rich mold over 

 so that the digging of the holes and drainage may be easily made. 

 The ground being acceptable for planting it will give the owner 

 complete success. 



DIGGING HOLES. 



The soil having been w r ell prepared the digging of holes for 

 trees is a work of skill as well as most labor is in the routine of 

 pear culture. The holes should be dug deep and large, as the 

 most generous views of the pear culturist w T ould dictate, taking 

 care only that they shall be roomy, not less than twice the diame- 

 ter of the spread of the roots to be planted in them, nor of a less 

 depth than six inches below the normal bottom of these roots. 



DIGGING TREES. 



The owner is often disappointed and chagrined at see- 

 ing a sickly tree linger feebly through three or four seasons 

 of pining. Yellow leaves and sickly branches would often be 

 averted, if some person interested in the life and growth of a tree 

 and with skill to direct, were present at its digging. The culti- 

 vator is responsible for the failures if not present at the digging 

 of trees. The proprietor or a faithful laborer should be held re- 

 sponsible for trees which are denuded, limbs broken and roots 



