430 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



portion of onc-fourtli of guano to tlirec-fourtlis of bone black, 

 and Mape's improved super-phosphate of lime, as manufactured 

 for sale, will, as I believe, be found a proper and efficacious 

 manure for orchards. 



Rain water, in copious supply, seems to have a highly stimu- 

 lating effect upon the fruit as well as the tree, and where fruit 

 of extra size is desired, in addition to a due supply of manure, 

 and thinning of the fruit, copious waterings with rain water 

 will probably materially tend to this result. 



The number of varieties of the pear is so great, very 

 many of which have not yet been thoroughly tested, that it is 

 not easy to decide which are the best ; and much less so to 

 point out those most suited to orchard culture, and to that 

 only are these remarks intended to apply, as for this pur- 

 pose many circumstances must be taken into consideration, 

 such as the size and quality of the fruit, the vigor, hardi- 

 hood and productiveness of the tree, and others that may 

 affect its adaptation to general cultivation. The safest 

 course for beginners in cultivating this fruit, is to confine 

 their selection at first to such varieties as. have been thor- 

 oughly tried, and are of established reputation. I do not 

 intend now, to recommend any varieties as worthy of general 

 cultivation, but in order not to pass the subject wholly by in 

 silence, will name a few about which among fruit growers, no 

 great difference of opinions exist. The Madeleine is usually 

 considered the best very early pear, but seems in danger of be- 

 ing superseded by the Doyenne d'Ete, a small, but handsome, 

 fruit. Manning's Elizabeth, one of Van Mon's, unnamed pears, 

 so called by the late Robert Manning, promises to be adapted 

 to orchard culture, as does the Beurre d'Amalis, a pear of 

 large size, though not of the first quality ; the Rostiezer, a small 

 but exceedingly high-flavored variety, and that universal favor- 

 ite, the Bar tie tt, flourishing apparently every where, and under 

 all circumstances. All these may be considered summer pears. 

 Among the autumn varieties, of such as are in general highly 

 esteemed, that seem suited to general cultivation, may be 

 named the Andrews, of American origin, the Golden Beurre of 

 Bilboa, the Swan Orange, the Bonne Louise do Jersey, the 

 Seckel, the Belle Lucrative, the Urbaniste, the Beurre Bosc, 



