146 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



being made in each of the large limbs and the body. This stops blight every 

 time. He does not know why; but his theory is that in certain conditions 

 the leaves fail to elaborate all the sap furnished, and the new growth of bark 

 following the slitting affords the needed relief. 



Wm. Corner had tried this method but the trees died of blight just the 

 same. Still he believes slitting the bark to be a good practice. 



Mr. LaFleur suggested that Mr. Corner may have left his trees too long 

 before trying to save them. 



Joseph Lannin : Blight comes in hot weather, in August, when the hot sun 

 comes after rain ; and it comes upon all varieties and upon all soils. There 

 is such a thing as trees becoming hide-bound. Slitting will relieve this. It 

 will also promote the setting of fruit buds, but perhaps, for this end, it is 

 not good for the tree. I have cut out blighted limbs and the trees have 

 lived. It is not as prevalent as it was some years ago, and I have not for 

 several years seen such weather as I described. There is no danger of over- 

 fertilization of the pear tree. 



Mr. Lannin, being asked what pears he would set for profit, said he would 

 plant 100 each of these five sorts: Bartlett, Flemish Beauty, Bosc, Louise 

 Bonne, Sheldon, Anjou. " But you have named six," said the reporter. 

 " Well, you may strike out any one of them." Mr. Lannin further said he 

 would set standards of all varieties except Duchess and Clairgeau. 



President Phillips made brief but earnest and fitly spoken expression of 

 thanks to the members for the aid and consideration shown him, and declared 

 the pleasing and successful June meeting closed. 



