PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 37 



FAULTS OF THE BAETLETT. 



I am of opinion that if the Bartlett was introduced today it would never 

 reach its present high standing, in this part of Michigan at least. The 

 tree lacks hardiness and durability to an extent that would rule it out 

 entirely were it not for the high prices at which its fruit is quoted in our 

 city markets. The oldest pear orchard of any considerable size in Lena- 

 wee county was planted about forty-five years ago, and originally consisted 

 principally of Bartlett and Flemish Beauty, with a few Tyson, Lawrence, 

 and other varieties. 



Twenty-two years ago, the original Bartlett trees having failed, their 

 places were filled with the same variety. Today there is not a Bartlett 

 tree in that orchard, while the Flemish Beauty, Tyson, and Lawrence of 

 the original planting, are as thrifty and healthy as at any time in their 

 lives, bearing perhaps an average of ten bushels to the tree for the last 

 twenty years, and in favorable seasons some trees produce so high as 

 thirty bushels. It may be said that this is an exceptional case; yet, as I 

 look over the county, I can find many very large old trees of Tyson, Flem- 

 ish Beauty, Lawrence, and a few Sheldon and Anjou; yet I can not call to 

 mind a single tree of the Bartlett of any such size and age. 



It is true the Bartletts will come to bearing earlier than any of the other 

 varieties named, and will probably produce more fruit for the first ten or 

 fifteen years of their lives; yet, after that time, the Bartlett will soon fail, 

 while the other varieties will be growing better for the next half century 

 if well cared for. This may not be so in the lake shore region, nor 

 further south, but it certainly is here. 



DESIKABLE VAEIETIES. 



Then, without further discussion of the varieties, I would name the 

 following list, each one having some of the desirable points for a market 

 pear: 



Tyson — Tree hardy, vigorous, and productive, tardy coming into bear- 

 ing, fruit medium size, sells well. 



Clapp's Favorite — Tree vigorous, productive, and hardy, fruit large and 

 handsome, and sells well if not overripe; pick early. 



Bartlett — Desirable only where it is known to be hardy. 



Flemish Beauty — Tree hardy, vigorous, and productive, slow coming 

 into bearing, fruit inclined to scab. 



Onondaga — Tree a good stocky grower, hardy, and productive of good, 

 large-size fruit. 



Anjou — Tree hardy, medium grower, slow coming into bearing, after 

 which it bears well of large, nice fruit and sells well. 



Sheldon — Tree a good grower and hardy, not productive, fruit large and 

 of fine quality. 



Kieffer — Tree vigorous, hardy, and productive, bears early and well; fruit 

 good to sell, not to eat. 



Lawrence — Tree hardy, slow grower, slow coming into bearing; one of 

 the finest winter pears. There are a number of other varieties that might 

 be desirable for market purposes under favorable circumstances. 



Seckel, if given high cultivation and fruit vigorously thinned, would 

 give good results; tree hardy, slow grower. 



