PROCEEDINGS OP THE SUMMER MEETING. 171 



most of the pruning should be done with the jack-knife, and that I think 

 is good advice. Follow it up each year, and cut while the limbs are 

 small. You will cut more than you think you should, perhaps, but the 

 'growth changes the relative distances. 



The question of crops between trees has been discussed, and I will 

 ■only say I think the question hinges on the fertility of the soil and the 

 <imount of feeding you are willing to give the soil, and the kind of crop 

 you plant between the rows. I have followed the plan of setting a crop 

 of corn the first year. Often in July and August we have long, dry times, 

 and the shade of the corn, when the trees are young, I think is a benefit. 

 They were grown the year before in nursery rows, where they were 

 shaded more or less, and I think sometimes the shade of the corn prevents 

 injury from heat. 



In regard to how often we can expect a crop, I used to say that with 

 these conditions, and proper fertility of the soil and thorough thinning, 

 we might calculate on a crop of these fruits regularly. We have, how- 

 ever, had cold storms one or two springs at blossoming time, which pre- 

 vented the setting of the fruit. I would add, as one of the conditions 

 to secure a good crop regularly, spraying. I think that with the Bartlett 

 pear and some other varieties, if you will keep the land fertile, so it 

 would produce forty or fifty bushels of corn to the acre, you can depend 

 upon a pretty regular crop of pears. The tendency is to bear full one year 

 and lightly the next, but if you will take up the matter of thinning and 

 thin so the pears will not be closer than six to nine inches on the limbs, 

 jou will get about as man}' bushels or barrels one year as another. 



In regard to planting pear trees, I would urge upon you to plant a 

 number of the different varieties, commencing with the early, then those 

 a little later, and so on, until you have a long season of this delightful 

 fruit. I think it adds to the pleasantness of home, and is a source of 

 ■enjoyment to all in the family. The pear is a delicious fruit, and by 

 the judicious planting of different varieties the season can be much pro- 

 longed. There is no reason why, in this country, every farmer could not 

 have a little portion of his farm devoted to an orchard of this kind. 



I think good culture in pear-growing is as essential as with any other 

 kind of fruit. The better the culture the better the results obtained, 

 and I would suggest also that it should be given early in the season. 

 Late growth I would avoid by all means. Do your cultivating and forc- 

 ing early in the season, and then, perhaps in the middle of the summer, 

 give up the culture and let the fall and the rest of the season be taken in 

 ripening the wood growth, so when cold weather comes the growth will 

 he well seasoned. 



I don't know that it is necessary for me to emphasize the point of spray- 

 ing, because it has been brought up by every person who has spoken. 

 It is one of the necessary conditions to success now, in growing a large 

 part of our fruits, and will apply equally well to the pear as to the other 

 varieties spoken of. 



I don't know that I could give any figures as to the profitableness of 

 pears. I have no desire to, but a good crop of pears will yield a large 

 ■return per acre. An average price for pears is |1 per bushel, after paying 

 the necessary expense. If 3'ou have 110 trees to the acre, 20 feet apart, 



