118 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Wednesday Afternoon Session. 



The first hour was occupied in discussing transportation and fruit packageSj. 

 after which Joseph Lanuiu of South Haven presented the following paper on 



PEARS FOR PROFIT. 



Osba7id's Stimmer — Is very productive, ripens early in August ; fruit as 

 large or larger than the Buffum, and much superior in quality. The stalk ig 

 short and strong, fruit showy, being of a pretty glowing color on the side next 

 the sun. It sells well. Originated in Wayne county, New York. 



Madeleine — Is an excellent early pear; ripens about the time of Osband's 

 Summer, but like all early pears is inclined to rot. It is considerably larger 

 than Osband's Summer, but will not keep quite so long. This fine pear is of 

 French nationality; was cultivated long ago by Carmelite monks. The tree 

 is hardy and very productive, fruit salable. 



Clapp's Favorite — This is a large valuable pear, originated by William Clapp 

 of Massachusetts, from seed. The tree is vigorous and sufficiently hardy to 

 stand our Michigan winters. When planted on good ground and well cared 

 for it will repay with interest the labors of the orchardist. I gathered from 

 eight trees, fifteen years old, 192 peck baskets, this last season. This fruit 

 should be gathered at least eight days before ripening, or it will begin to rot 

 at the core and lose its flavor. When well grown and properly ripened this 

 is one of our most beautiful pears. 



Bartlett — Is perhaps the finest pear grown, take it all in all. We are in- 

 formed by Mr. Downing that " this noble pear " originated about the year 

 1770, in England ; was brought to this country and disseminated by a Mr. 

 Bartlett from whom it took its name. As everybody knows the Bartlett, its 

 great qualities, and the universal demand for it in the market, it is not neces- 

 sary for me to speak of it further. 



tlenmli Beauty — This is of Belgian origin, as its name imports. The tree 

 bears early fruit, large, juicy, sweet, if on good ground and well cultivated; 

 but if neglected the fruit will hardly grow to medium size and will crack and 

 be of little value for home use or market. When planted on strong clay 

 ground the fruit assumes a brown color, but if planted on a rich loam it is a 

 beautiful light yellow. When well grown this is one of our most delicious 

 pears. It ripens about the middle of September. 



Buffum — This pear is, according to Mr. Downing, *'a native of Khode 

 Island." Its form is a good deal like the White Doyenne. The tree is an 

 upright, vigorous grower, but seldom comes into bearing until ten or twelve 

 years after being planted. This is far from being a dessert fruit, but is excel- 

 lent for canning and preserving. When the tree becomes fifteen years old or 

 more, it bears immensely and the fruit sells fairly well in the Chicago mar- 

 ket. One year ago I gathered nine bushels from one tree seventeen years 

 old, and the fruit netted me ^9.90, 



Hardy — This pear ripens directly after the BulTum. The skin is of 

 a greenish color, russety and sprinkled with brown dots. The tree is a strong 

 grower and very productive. In an orchard of 500 trees I would plant 

 twenty-five of this variety. The fruit is above the medium size and is highly 

 perfumed. 



