198 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Several things are to be considered in the selection of vari- 

 eties. One may raise those for home use that he would not 

 grow for the market. Size, color, productiveness, quality, 

 vigor and health of tree, are among the points to be considered 

 in the making up of a list. 



The pear-tree needs and must have higher culture and more 

 care than the apple-tree, and especially those grown on quince 

 stocks, the .latter a class of trees we do not highly esteem. As 

 this fruit is not used very much for cooking it is not so universally 

 esteemed as the apple. We believe that our people make a 

 mistake in not cooking the pear more generally, and so make 

 use of even those specimens that will not bring the highest price 

 in the market. 



The pear-tree seems to have fewer insect enemies than the 

 apple, though we cannot tell what time may develop. "We still 

 think pear culture should be encouraged. 



We leave this subject, and briefly refer to that most luscious 

 fruit, the peach. The peach in our boyhood days seldom failed, 

 but within a few years has proved very uncertain. The trees 

 under the management they have received have proved to be 

 very short lived. This difficulty can be overcome in a great 

 degree by the selection of pits from the best and most hardy 

 varieties, and by growing the trees slowly and thus securing 

 well ripened wood and greater duration. 



The peach deserves more attention than it is now receiving in 

 our State. 



The cherry has not been regarded as a profitable fruit for 

 several years, though when it is obtained it brings good prices. 

 We cannot advise the planting of large orchards of this fruit. 



The plum, never so healthful a fruit as some others, has ceased 

 to be profitable, owing to warts and curculios, and very little 

 attention is now bestowed upon it. 



We pass to a brief consideration of the small fruits. Until 

 within a year or two we have always advocated the extensive 

 planting of the currant, both for home use and the market. 

 The fruit is always agreeable, and finds a ready sale at fair 

 prices. A formidable insect enemy has appeared, however, 

 which will greatly discourage the growers of this healthful fruit. 

 It was hoped that before this some effectual preventive of the 

 ravages of the currant worm would be discovered. Powdered 



