154 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



land and the cities further East? Bartlett pear-trees, in ten 

 years from planting, ought to yield a bushel to a tree on an 

 average every year, taking the whole orchard through. We 

 know of some on a small scale which have done much better 

 than this. Any one on reflection can see the diflference be- 

 tween this and the profits of apple-orchards. 



The marketing of fine fruit is quite a trade, as is also the 

 picking and ripening ; but this can be readily learned when 

 enough is raised to make it an object. 



We propose to name a few varieties in the order of their 

 value for market and family purposes, and first will be the 

 Bartlett, — of vigorous growth, adapting itself to a greater 

 variety of soil and climate than any other, and of such won- 

 derful productiveness that young trees often bear to a fault ; 

 of good quality, though connoisseurs speak of a disagreeable 

 "musky flavor," still it is readily accepted by the "million," 

 and bought in preference to the Seckel or Belle Lucrative, and 

 is without doubt our most profitable market pear. The Beurre 

 d'Anjou, coming a month or six weeks later, is very highly 

 prized by those who know it best. A hardy and vigorous 

 tree, a regular but not over-abundant bearer, fruit of large 

 size, good quality, with an abundance of vinous juice. It is 

 an October pear, but will keep well into November, and will 

 always command a high price. Six dollars per bushel was 

 the wholesale price ofiered last year by dealers around Bos- 

 ton. We are told of one tree in the western part of this 

 State, the fruit of which in one year was sold for $100. The 

 Laivrence is a pear of which the more you know the better 

 you will like it. Any one who is not pleased with a Law- 

 rence pear in its season — November and December — is hard 

 to suit. The tree is a very slow grower at first, but after it 

 becomes well established is strong and vigorous. It is, taking 

 the county through, one of the most hardy trees known, and 

 is becoming more popular every year. Fruit of medium size, 

 and quite sure to ripen up yellow, and then it is sweet and 

 delicious. The Sheldon is a pear of later introduction ; very 

 few trees in this vicinity are yet of bearing size : the largest 

 one we know bears regularly as abundant crops as the Bart- 

 lett. Fruit large, russet, and of the finest quality ; October ; ■ 

 tree very vigorous and hardy ; same with Doyenne Boussock, 



