WINTER MEETING. 293 



Care of the Orchard. 



No one should set out a new orchard unless he is sure he can give it 

 both manure and mellow cultivation. A small one of a few acres, bearing 

 yearly rich and beautiful specimens, is better than a neglected one 

 spreading over wide acres. There will be more profit in the small and 

 perfect one than in the one extended and neglected. Until planters 

 who have the means avoid this superficial practice, they will continue 

 to set the unwholesome example to others, and perpetuate to a great 

 degree the slipshod style of orcharding. It is well, therefore, for the 

 planter to determine beforehand what special attention can be given 

 to the trees, and fix on the size of orchard accordingly. Cultivation 

 alone, keeping the soil clean and mellow for several years, may answer 

 while the trees are young ; but when they come into heavy bearing, this 

 large annual draft can be supplied by an annual, or at least biennial, top- 

 dressing, in the autumn or winter, of rich barn manure. — Country Gen- 

 tleman. 



The Keiffer Pear. 



Editor Journal of Agriculture: 



This pear is outgrowing its former reputation, and is rapidly com- 

 ing to the front as a fruit of fine quality and appearance. It has good 

 keeping qualities and other good points. In order to receive its jast 

 deserts, it needs to be handled properly at the right time. This pear 

 also needs thinning out at least one-half as soon as the fruit is pro- 

 perly set, for it is a very heavy bearer. People as a rule don't like to 

 thin fruit, but in many cases fruit left remaining will more than pay for 

 the labor and the apparent loss. 



Always gather this pear, or any other, for that matter, when the 

 stem will part readily at the joint, by simply lifcing the pear upward in 

 your hand. Place away in a dry, cool place, and cover with some old 

 carpet, blanket or other material. Co over them and sort out and 

 grade by size and quality, say, Xo. 1, free from worms, and nice in 

 every way ; No. 2, a little wormy and a little uneven, but fair S'ze : 

 No. 3, small, specked, uneven, but will readily sell at home for 50, 60 

 or 75 cents a bushel for canning or preserving. There is one peculi- 

 arity about Keiffer pears. You can take small, hard, green pears from 

 the trees in August, and they will prove excellent both for canning 



