STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 269 



Trustees in making this department more useful in illustrating and 

 practicing the \arious improved modes of culture, and in largely increasing 

 its stock in almost evei y branch of its operations, besides demonstrating 

 the general, wide-spread interest which is felt in its success through- 

 out the State. 



HORTICULTURAL HISTORY. 



JO DAN'IESS COUNTY. 

 O. B. Gai.usha, Esq., Secretary Illinois State Horticultural Society: 



Dear Sir: — Yours of the 22d ult., asking for an account of mv 

 experience in Pear culture, etc., is duly received and contents noted. 1 

 regret that I can communicate so littl^ that would be of interest in the 

 direction indicated. 



In the fall of I8^4 I purchased of Elhvanger A: Bany, Rochester, 

 N. Y., from 1^0 to 200 pear trees — standards and dwarfs — and planted 

 in the spring of 1855 on a piece of ground that had long been in culti- 

 vation — eastern exposure, clay sub-soil. These trees did well, but the 

 cold winters of 18^6 and 18^7 injured them, and many of the trees were 

 killed down to the ground. But those recovering bore me one or two 

 fine crops of pears, ecjual to any in the State. After this profuse bear- 

 ing, the ti'ees began to blight, and many of my best trees died out; but 

 from a second growth from the stump, and from those that continued in 

 a crippled state, I have had an abundance of fruit for family use, but no 

 sui'plus for sale, \\\\\\ the exception of one or two years. The past six 

 years I have permitted my pear orchard to run to blue grass, and the 

 trees have less blight, but tlie fruit has not been quite so abundant, nor 

 of so good quality, as when cultivated, but I ha\e probably more living 

 trees. 



I have foimd no profit in pear culture, yet 1 am not prepared to say 

 that to one well understanding the business, and with good location, soil, 

 etc., it could not be made to pay. My own experience would lead me 

 to the following: 



That to attain success in pear culture in this latitude, with a clay sub- 

 soil, such as we have, good, hardy varieties should be selected, soil in 

 good state of cultivation, well drained naturally; if not, artificial drains 

 must be made, cither by tile or by sinking shafts though the clay to the 

 rock or strata that will drain, and filling up with coarse material; and 

 upon or near these shafts set the trees, either dwarfs or standards. Plant 

 deep, if well drained, not othenvise. Culti\ate moderately, or mulch. 

 Protect on west and north with belts of timber. Plant and train trees 

 with low tops; be prepared to reset annualh- a few trees to take the 

 place of those lost by accident or otherwise. This will applv to apples 

 as well as pears. This is not a natural climate for fruit, and conseciuenth 

 a little more care must be given to culture, as we find the case in many 

 or all agricultural pursuits as far north. Cattle in Texas will thrive and 



