192 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



the soil, and the soil around the trees kept light and loose by 

 mulching ; the trees themselves frequently and carefully ex- 

 amined, so that they may not be injured or destroyed by the 

 numerous pests which, at certain seasons, will be likely to trouble 

 them. 



Mr. Wm. Burghardt, to whom we have awarded the first 

 premium on apple orchards, washes his two hundred trees twice 

 during the season, with soap-suds and carbolic acid, by which 

 he keeps them free from insects of all kinds ; and your com- 

 mittee venture to say, that a more thrifty and promising young 

 orchard cannot be found within the limits of our county. 



Thus far in our report we have spoken mainly of the apple ; 

 we propose to add a few words in regard to the cultivation of 

 the pear. For a few years past the pear has seemed to be a 

 more reliable fruit than the apple ; not so liable to attacks from 

 destructive insects, more regular in bearing, and therefore 

 worthy of special attention ; yet we find very few farmers who are 

 planting out pears, so far as we have observed, notwithstanding 

 all are ready to acknowledge, that in its perfection the pear is 

 scarcely surpassed by any other fruit. 



The same general directions which apply to the transplanting 

 of the apple, apply to the pear as well ; the same thorough prep- 

 aration of the soil, and care of trees after setting. There is 

 scarcely a farmer among us who cannot devote as much as a 

 quarter or half an acre to the culture of the pear, and so have 

 seventy-five or a hundred trees, as a source not only of enjoy- 

 ment, but of profit also. We do not incline to adopt the well- 

 known couplet that 



" He who plants pears, 

 Plants for his heirs." 



We would change it, in view of recent observation and experience, 

 so as to read, — 



" He who plants pears, 



Plants for himself and his heirs ; " 



for we are satisfied that a good, thrifty, standard pear-tree, well 

 planted out and properly cared for, will bear quite abundantly 

 in from three to five years. In our soil the pear needs and will 

 bear high cultivation; and after it once commences bearing, 

 will continue to bear with great uniformity for a long period ; 



