^J12 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



and Greece, and thence introduced into Italy during the early days of Rome. 

 From this species comes the great mass of our modern varieties, although 

 there are other species, among which are the Aurelian {Pi/riis salvifolia), a 

 native of France; the Snowy pear {Pyrus nivalix), a native of Australia, 

 neither of which are represented among our cultivated varieties, and the Sand 

 pear {Pyrus sinensis), a native of China and Cochin- China, from which, by 

 hybridization with P. commimis, the modern Le Conte, Kielfer, and others 

 are stipposed to have originated. 



Between March, 1819, and some time in 1884, Proffessor Budd, as the 

 representative of the Iowa Agricultural College, made no less than twelve 

 importations of pear trees or scions from different localities in Russia 

 (including Poland) and Germany ; also an importation from northwestern 

 China. 



The varieties included in these importations number sixty-three, although 

 an uncertain number will probably prove to be duplicates. In publishing 

 lists of the varieties thus introduced the professor remarks: 



Our experiments with the pear mainly date from the time of our visit to east Europe, 

 in 1883. 



With some of the varieties of central and east Russia our progress has been slow, as 

 the scions had not been packed properly for so long a .iouniey. Yet we now have 

 specimen plants of most of the varieties specially attracting our attention as likely to 

 prove valuable for culinary or dessert uses, and we have sent out for trial many plants 

 of the most promising sorts. 



Our soil is not favorable for the pear; hence we used our first planted trees in a rough 

 way, by taking off all the new wood each year for scions. This treatment, combined 

 with the severe weather of the last two winters, has given us correct notions as to the 

 relative hardiness of varieties. 



At the annual meeting of the Iowa Horticultural Society in January, 1887, 

 Hon. C. L. Watrous, reporting for the. vicinity of Des Moines, Iowa, says: 



Of pears there are not enough trees to count. Young trees of Seedless seem healthy 

 and free from blight. Whether they will bear fruit, or what may be its quality, we 

 know not, but live in hopes. 



Andrew Peterson, of Carver county, southern Minnesota, during the sum- 

 mer of 188G, had several varieties of Russian pear and apple from his native 

 country, Sweden ; but, judging from appearances, he deemed those from Rus- 

 sia the mr st promising lor Minnesota. In January, 1887, he reported the 

 Russian pear trees as showing no injury up to that date; while of sixty varie- 

 ties imported from Sweden one only is sufficiently hardy for Minnesota. 



Professor Porter, of the Minnesota Agricultural College, reports a few Rus- 

 sian ])ears as on trial at that institution, near Minneapolis, where they give 

 promise of much value. 



The seedless pear {Besscmianka) is also reported to be on trial at Ramsey, 

 McCook county, Dakota. 



A few pear trees grown from seeds brought from Russia by the Mennonites, 

 are said to be growing in southwestern Minnesota. 



Professor Budd, in January, ]887, said: 



I believed six years ago, and am stronger in the belief now, that east Europe has 

 many sorts of pear, cherry, and plum which wouM give perfect satisfaction in the north 

 half of Iowa, and some in Minnesota and the north lialf of Dakota. 



It is feared by many that the transplacing of Russian fruits to the much 

 lower latitude of Iowa may greatly alfeot their season of maturity, and that 

 it may even injuriously ;iffect their quality, and, by possibility, their hardi- 

 Less; but the season of ripening may be deemed less important with this fruit 



