186 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



storms of wind than from late frosts. Hence, if no natural pro- 

 tection exists it is well to plant evergreens that are of rapid 

 growth, such as pines, or Norway spruce, to guard that part of 

 the orchard where protection is most needed. Perhaps a more 

 economical way would be to transplant three rows of peach- 

 trees, the first row the same year the pears are put out, the 

 others a year or two afterward. As peach-trees are compara- 

 tively short-lived, after the first row has done its work, new ones 

 might take their places, and thus a new row transplanted as 

 often as needed ; thus always giving protection to the pear or- 

 chard by peach-trees that would always pay the expense. 



Varieties. — Is is well known to those even who have had only 

 small experience, that the pear is capricious ; this year it ivill, 

 next, it won't, the same variety in the same soil. That a Flem- 

 ish Beauty or a Seckel will be produced to perfection in one 

 soil, while a mile distant, and in one of precisely similar appear- 

 ance, they fail to be anything -more than second rate, is a mys- 

 tery that has puzzled those of large experience, and even 

 mocked all investigation. 



The same may be said, in some respects, in regard to the 

 apple. The writer says he can't grow the Rhode Island Green- 

 ing on his soil, while just across the valley, at a distance of 

 three miles, in soil apparently similar, it is grown almost to per- 

 fection. 



In case we intend to grow pears for profit, it is unwise to make 

 it a point to grow ninety-nine varieties ; as that practice has 

 already, in many cases, proved a failure. Hence, decide in the 

 first place the kinds best adapted to your soil, if possible. A 

 member of this committee having tried a few varieties, and suc- 

 ceeded so well in growing both wood and fruit, has come to the 

 conclusion that the kinds adapted to his soil are the Bartlett and 

 Seckel, as standards, which should be set eighteen feet apart, 

 and aDuchesse between. In another locality, however, perhaps 

 in the same neighborhood, the Belle Lucrative and Beurre 

 d'Anjou, or the Lawrence and Sheldon, as standards, and the 

 Bonne de Jersey might excel the Duchesse. 



Now, to remedy the evil of being at so much expense in plant- 

 ing trees, and in a few years being obliged to re-set with other 

 varieties, a farmers' club should be formed in every town, and 



