THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 299 



STOCKS. 



The question of the l)est stocks to use for pears is one which is 

 receiving a good deal of attention. We have established an experiment 

 station in southern Oregon in which we are devoting nearly all our 

 energy to pear production. In this experiment station we are trying 

 to determine the right stocks to use. 



Up to a few years ago we were using almost entirely the French 

 seedling stock, but because this was very subject to blight and also to 

 attack by the root louse, it has been very largely discarded. The 

 nurserymen in place of this are now using what they call the Oriental 

 or Japanese Sand Pear. This tree seems to be very hardy, is relatively 

 resistant to the blight, and is not attacked by the root louse. However, 

 there are several questions which have come up regarding the use of 

 this stock: First, does it make a good union with all of the varieties 

 which we are growing? Second, is it adapted to as many soil conditions 

 as is our French stock? Time alone will answer these questions. 



DISTANCE OF PLANTING. 



The distance at which the trees are planted will depend upon the soil, 

 the altitude, and the varieties. In the heavy soils and low altitudes 

 the pears should be given a greater distance than if the contrary were 

 true. Such spreading varieties as Bosc and d'Anjou should have the 

 maximum room. On the other hand, such upright varieties as Bartlett 

 and Clairgeau do not require quite so much room. Twenty-five feet 

 apart is a good average distance for planting the trees in the Pacific 

 Northwest. 



VARIETIES. 



We are growing some six or eight varieties on a commercial scale in 

 the Pacific Northwest at the present time. These are Bartlett, Clair- 

 geau, Howell, d'Anjou, Bosc, Comice, and Winter Nelis. These are 

 our leading varieties. There are a few other varieties that are being 

 grown on a lesser scale such as Glout IMorceau, Florelle, Duchess 

 Bordeaux, and President Drouard. 



At the Southern Oregon Experiment Station we are going to try out 

 about a thousand varieties of pears, hoping that out of this number we 

 may find two or three that are splendidly adapted to the various fruit 

 valleys in the Pacific Northwest. Some of the varieties we are now 

 growing do not measure up to the highest commercial standard. If 

 there are varieties which are superior, we Avant to know it. 



A study of varieties should include such factors as blight resistance, 

 general vigor, productivity, high quality of fruit, good shipping 

 characters, etc. 



POLLINATION. 



The pears need pollinating, although it is true that some varieties 

 such as the Bartlett, for example, especially on the Pacific Coast, seem 

 to do fairly well in large lots. Nevertheless, in investigating the pro- 

 duction of pears at the Oregon Experiment Station we have found that 

 even though varieties are self-fertile, they are generally improved by 

 cross-pollination, and we are recommending that in no case in the 

 Pacific Northwest should large blocks of a single variety be planted. 



