SUMMER MEETING AT BROOKFIELD. 143 



the last five sessions, for which time he has been secretary, and also 

 the standing of the society in money matters. The report was a history 

 of the society since the time of its beginning. Next followed a paper on 



WHAT I KNOW OF PEAR CULTURE — N. OHMER, DAYTON, OHIO. 



Experience of 32 years in fruit-growing. Planted four thousand 

 pear trees. Mistakes : he planted too many varieties and too close 

 together. Correct distance, 20 feet apart. Most of the trees have 

 blighted, varying from 10 to SO per cent. He found more money in the 

 Keifer than any other. Dwarf planted ten feet apart, but did not bear 

 long, and had to cut out every other tree ; now they are doing well. 

 Pear trees have paid better than other tree fruits he has grown, in spite 

 of all obstacles. 



Question. How to market the pear"? 



Answer. Ships them toother points and large cities. Picks firm 

 and sells at wholesale. Picks as soon as they will separate from the 

 stem. Never cultivates the pear after it begins to bear, but keeps 

 them in clover. 



Mr. Onderdonk, of Texas, does just the opposite, and always cul- 

 tivates. 



Mr. Stoner — Experience with twelve thousand trees in Louisiana, 

 ■and has had wonderful success with them. Ripens them before he 

 sends them out to market. Thinks they are the most profitable fruit 

 to grow. 



Mr. Smith, of Indiana, has a large orchard; after coming to bear- 

 ing age he seeded it down and yet the trees are blighting badly. 



The discussion then followed on the blight question and, as usual 

 a number of theories as to cause and remedy were presented, but noth- 

 ing definite was given, of course. 



It is a quaint scene to hear the different theories and experiences 

 of our different fruit-growers from all over our broad country. 



THE LE CONTE PEAR — PROF. T. S. BRUNK, OF TEXAS. 



The paper took up the value of the Le Conte, all through the whole 

 South country. Reports from many portions state, however, that the 

 tree bligths more or less, and yet it and the Keifer are more free from 

 blight than many other varieties in the South. The place for the Le 

 Conte is in the South and not in the northern or middle country. 



GBAPE-GROWING — GEO. W. CAMPBELL, DELAWARE, OHIO. 



He took up the improvement of the grape question and especially 

 the new varieties. He had been in the business for sixty years and 



