1857.] The Dwarf Pear Controversy. 13 1 



latter is underlaid with a clay substratum, while that of the former 

 is a gravelly loam. Such facts as these are what we want, to enable 

 us to cultivate the Dwarf Pear to advantage, and speak more in fa- 

 vor of their culture in this vicinity — where nearly all the soil is un- 

 derlaid with clay — than all I can say for^ or Mr. Stoms against 

 them. 



I will now state what my own experience has been, and give my 

 views on the subject. I have been a close observer of the character 

 and habits of Dwarf Pears for some years, and have cultivated them 

 to some extent ; so far as my experience goes, I am well satisfied 

 with the result ; I have succeeded past my expectation, and am far 

 from the opinion that they are humbugs. But I am satisfied that 

 we have much to learn of their character and culture ; and that 

 when we have studied them properly, and understand their wants 

 and nature better, we shall find it as easy to cultivate some kinds of 

 Dwarf Pears, as it is to grow fine peaches ; and I hope yet to see 

 fine pears in our markets, plentiful from the product of Dwarf trees. 

 I am satisfied, in my own mind, the thing can be done in this section 

 of country, however they may have failed in unfavorable soils and 

 climates. That we have a soil and climate peculiarly adapted to the 

 cultivation of the Dwarf Pear, can be proved as well by the partial 

 failures, in other less favorable soils and climates, as by our success 

 here ; for, notwithstanding Mr. Stoms' signal failure, I contend 

 that. Dwarf Pears have succeeded here generally, and that the pros- 

 pect for their future cultivation is favorable. ' I have yet to see the 

 first failure where the following all-important items were observed : 



1st. A proper selection of varieties such as are known to succeed 

 on the Quince. 



2nd. Good healthy trees worked on a good stock — the Augers, 

 or Paris. 



3rd. A good loamy soil of moderate fertility, on a clay subsoil, 

 and from eighteen to twenty inches deep. 



4th. Planted so deep that all the quince stock is below the surface. 



5th. Ordinary good cultivation and moderate pruning, but not 

 pruned so severely as to deprive the plant of power to send down 

 woody matter enough to keep the roots healthy and active. 



Nearly all the failui-es can be traced to a want of one or more of 

 the above requisites to successful cultivation. 



I have now growing in my nursery a row of about twenty Pear 

 trees, about half standards, the balance dwarfs. They have been 



