78 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



trees by spreading on sink-deposits every two or three years, 

 he also spreads on the ground, over the roots, not very near 

 the body, about a pint of iron turnings or filings, with half 

 a pint of salt, around each tree, every four or five years. 

 His trees are protected from all winds, except from the east, 

 and he pruijes oif half the previous year's growth in the 

 spring. 



We think that iron is of great benefit to pear-trees, as well 

 as other kinds of fruit-trees, our chairman having used the 

 sweepings of a blacksmith's shop where horses are shod 

 (containing old nails, bits of iron, hoof-chips, &c.) around 

 apple and pear trees, with an occasional dressing from the 

 sink-drain, to much advantage as regards the size and fair- 

 ness of the fruit; he has readily disposed of what Clapp's 

 Favorite and Bartlett pears he had to sell at from two 

 dollars and a quarter to. two dollars and a half per bushel, 

 and several bushels of Duchesse at three dollars; this — in 

 contrast with apples in such abundance that twenty to forty 

 cents per bushel were the selling-prices, with two hundred 

 bushels for cider — leaves a large margin in favor of pear- 

 culture for the area occupied, although it detracts nothing 

 from the value of the dressing used for both kinds of trees. 



Opinion differs in regard to pruning : some advocate much ; 

 others, little or none : some at certain times of year, and 

 others at any time. We think, however, that the majority 

 decide upon the spring as the best time for it, though we 

 believe that any time between fall and spring will answer 

 as well. Whenever done, it should not be done harshly. It 

 is better, when the growth requires it, to prune moderately 

 every year sufficient to keep the tree stocky, and able to bear 

 up under the weight of its fruit, and open enough to obtain 

 the benefit of sun and air to mature it. It is also of great 

 benefit to trees and fruit to thin out the fruit, especially on 

 .Bartlett, Louise Bonne, Vicar, and Seckel pear-trees, as those 

 varieties are apt to overbear. 



The blight, now so well known in pear-culture, is cured 

 best by the free use of saw and knife, cutting away the part 

 affected until sound wood is reached, covering large wounds 

 on the tree with a dressing of clay and cow-manure, or a 

 coating of linseed-oil, both of which have been tried with 

 good success by your Committee and others. Our chairman 



