92 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



you must be careful to get below all the affected part, for the 

 poison runs down in the sap, and destroys as far as it goes. 

 My success, when the work is done in season, is complete ; 

 but neglect is fatal. 



For the most profitable pear-trees to set out, standards 

 are the only kind I would set, unless dwarfs are set deep 

 enough to root from the pear stock. The dwarf makes only 

 a small tree, the roots not being sufficient to support it ; then 

 it is short-lived, and affords but little fruit. 



When to pick pears is altogether governed by circum- 

 stances ; but most pears should not ripen on the trees. By 

 giving attention, with very little experience a mere novice 

 might know when to pick his pears, which will ripen, some 

 in three days, others weeks. I keep them best and longest 

 in a dark, cool place. I find for late pears no better place 

 than a cool cellar. Light and heat ripen them up quickly. 

 Some seasons some kinds will not ripen up well. This is 

 peculiar to the Vicar, and, in consequence, some think it not 

 worth raising; but it is an excellent pear, and often will 

 keep till spring, but it must be grown large. 



Most people who have a foot of land must have a pear- 

 tree, and those who have more land must have more trees 

 in proportion : hence most have two trees where they ought 

 to have but one. I know of some fine pear-orchards that 

 have double the trees they should have on the ground; and 

 this is a great loss in the outset, while there are other disad- 

 vantages in so much crowding. 



[Eeply of Benjamin P. "Ware of Marblehead.] 



My soil is a strong kind, not subject to drought, with a 

 subsoil of gravelly loam, some clay. The soil is enriched 

 with a compost of barn-manure and sea-kelp for five or six 

 3^ears in succession, then rest in grass for three or four years. 

 My trees are pruned a little annually in the spring ; avoid 

 cutting large limbs, by cutting out, while small, such as will 

 interfere, when grown, with others. 



My trees have been troubled by fire-blight, so called, and 

 more, I think, when manured the most ; also somewhat by 

 slugs in August. I know of no remedy for the blight. 



