146 



TRANSACTIONS OF I'HE ILLINOIS 



months, which, considering the condition of the trees at the several times, 

 has, I think, no precedent in American pear-growing. What wonder 

 that we have had a year of bhght — of blight sweeping through all 

 varieties and all ages, from the nursery to the old orchanl. The year has 

 therefore been an instructive one for noting the effects of \arious modes 

 of culture, and the endurance of varieties. 



My leading conclusion, not only from this year's observation, but from 

 former experience is, that a pear tree which grows slowly, and whose 

 foliage is healthy and persistent, will never originate blight: and though 

 it may succumb like a strong man, when the air is full of contagion, it 

 possesses the best possible power of resistance to the disease. Nature 

 designs ail trees as well as all men to be healthy, and pear trees should 

 be as euduring and as reliable in crops as the oaks. But Nature has 

 assigned the oaks, and maples, and pines, to certain specific soils and 

 climates. She has not intended to have all fruits grown in all countries, ; 

 but has mapped her horticulture so as to set^ure large commercial inter- 

 changes and their civilizing results. Pear culture in this country has 

 mostly ignored these purposes of nature, but she gives us frequent hints 

 of them, which, we may not with impunity disregard. 



The authorities in pear-growing commend us to plant in soils either 

 very rich naturally, or very much manured, or both, that we may get 

 luxuriant annual growths; and this in East and West, North and South, 

 on mountain and in valley alike, and for all kinds. Then we are prom- 

 ised pears — a thousand varieties or more. But nature interposes her 

 objections to this system in the form of wood-blight, and leaf-blight, and 

 fungus on the roots, and fungus on the fruit, until the question often arises 

 in our minds whether nature in her planning has assigned us in the Miss- 

 issippi valley any pears at all! At the best I am forced to the conclusion 

 that the limits of successful pear-growing are very narrow by comparison 

 in our rich western soils and most trying climate, and that, within these 

 limits where success is not altogether denied, we must pursue a very inde- 

 pendent system of management. 



I have suggested that the conditions of health and longevity are 

 moderate growth and a good holding of foliage. I judge that nearl)-, 

 if not quite, all of our blight originates in the freezing of unripened 

 or too succulent wood. This state of the wood results mostly from 

 over-cultivation; and it would seem that all stirring of the soil is in 

 some cases excessive. All varieties which cast their leaves prematurely, 

 are liable to a second leaf and wood-growth, which is sure to be un- 

 healthy; while those kinds which hold their foliage well, like Bartlett 

 and Lawrence, will generally make succulent shoots after the normal 

 growth of the tree is completed, if stimulated by much stirring of the 

 soil. 1 have been able, as I think, to trace most of the original cases 

 of blight I have ever seen to some form of these late growths; and 

 I have myself secured almost entire exemption from it where I have 

 carefully pruned away all this unripe wood in the autumn and winter. 

 But how shall our trees be managed so as to get growth enough for 

 vigor and not too much for healthful maturity, and to keep the leaves 



