300 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



We advocate that each grower try from tAvo to four varieties, and that 

 these be planted in oblong blocks of from two to six rows of each 

 variety. This gives economy in growing the fruit and at the same time 

 it gives splendid pollination. 



In choosing 'varieties for pollination purposes, it is essential that 

 they bloom at the same time. While a great many state that the Bartlett 

 is fairly self-fertile, some varieties do very little when not cross-pol- 

 linated. The Comice is self-fertile, the d'Anjou is nearly so; the 

 Winter Nelis needs cross-pollinating to bring the best results. Again, 

 in choosing a poUinizer, one should be sure that the varieties bloom 

 at the same time. Early bloomers are Bartlett, Clairgeau, d'Anjou, 

 Howell, and Kieffer. Any two of these will interpollinate. Late 

 bloomers are the Angouleme, Bosc, Comice, Easter Beurre, Patrick 

 Barry, and Winter Nelis. The time of blooming will of course vary 

 in different sections, but each grower should try and ascertain for him- 

 self what varieties bloom together in his section, and plant these 

 varieties. 



DWARF PEARS. 



Up to recently the dwarf pear in the Pacific Northwest has received 

 very little attention. Mr. Stephen J. Harmeling at Vashon, Wash- 

 ington, however, has been very succeessful indeed in the production of 

 dwarf pears. He has quite a large area set out to this type of tree, 

 and in the near future he will be able to report the best varieties for 

 dwarfing in his section. In Idaho one of the largest dwarf orchards 

 is to be found, although in Western Oregon there have been some quite 

 large plantings. Unfortunately, some of these plantings are going to 

 be disappointing from two points of view. In the first place, improper 

 stocks in many cases have been used, and double working has not been 

 resorted to; while in the second place, the trees have been planted on 

 a very rich heavy soil, and unless carefully handled will grow standard. 

 We find that the Angers quince is the best all around stock to use and 

 that the tree should be worked over to either Duchess or Koonce. The 

 latter is gaining preference with us. 



FROSTS. 



The question of fro.st injury should receive the careful attention of 

 all pear growers. Unfortunately most of the sections which produce 

 good pears are subject to frost. The pear blooms very early and 

 consequently is more subject to damage than is true of most varieties 

 of apples. A location should be chosen that has good air drainage. 

 Gentle rolling lands are to be preferred and in many sections these 

 will be relatively frost free. However, with the proper use of oil and 

 pots, ordinary frosts can be combated and pears can be grown quite 

 successfully under such conditions, but the expense of production is 

 increased when that artificial protection has to be resorted to. 



TILLAGE. 



I need to dwell on the subject of tillage very little. The tillage of 



pears is very similar to that of our other deciduous fruits. The only 



point to be observed is that tlio ti11af>-o must not be overdone; that is, 



in non-irrigated sections where the tillage is overdone and carried on 



