COMPARATIVE VALUE OF THE PEAE AND OTHER FRUIT CULTURE. 



Now let US take in consideration that the pear-tree is the most pleasant tree to 

 cultivate, having few enemies, thus far, beyond an occasional blip^ht, and a scorch- 

 ing of the bark ; that, under fjood cultivation it bears at least eij^ht years in ten ; 

 takes any form and shape you choose to give it ; requires very little ])runing com- 

 pared to apple and peach-trees ; grows and bears in almost all kinds of soils ; is 

 hardy, for none of our late severe winters have killed the dormunt bloorabud, as 

 has "been the case with the peach for three winters in succession ; I say, when 

 you take all this into consideration, what is the tree that will produce a crop which 

 pays better ? The season of the pear is protracted ; from July to March, (in 

 Europe from June to June) ; you can keep your late pears, or sell them at your 

 own time, which you cannot do either with peaches, or with cherries. The pear 

 is a universal favorite, suiting all tastes ; for, nowhere, in the vegetable kingdom, 

 is to be found a fruit so varied, so distinct in shape, taste, habits, keeping, kc. 

 We have, in their native climate, the aroma of the Hyacinth in the Josephine de 

 M., the vanilla in the Beurre Antoinette and Docteur Capron ; the perfect aroma 

 of the rose in the Parfnm Rose, the musk in the Bartlett, more striking in the 

 Woodstock ; the perfection of all things combined in the unsurpassed Seclcle and 

 Fulton ; we have buttery, melting, breaking, cooking pears ; sweet, subacid, re- 

 freshing juices ; from the tartness of the apple to the full sweetness of a preserve. 

 I must stop and conclude by expressing my conviction that the pear will always 

 be a universal favorite, when good pears shall be in general use. Such a Protean 

 fruit, Mr. Editor, is well worth a thorough cultivation, as a melon or a celery 

 plant is. Plant your orchard in the shape of a garden, and under the same laws 

 of cultivation, and it will pay an hundred per cent, of your money invested, I 

 let every man make his own calculation ; I will only add that after six years of 

 experience in mine and my friend's gardens, I must consider the pear crop one of 

 the most steady and profitable of all the fruits. You must say the same, for your 

 garden was full of noble fruit this season. 



I could tell you about a single pear-tree bringing from one hundred to over two 

 hundred dollars, at least three years in four. I could tell you about small patches 

 of city gardens yielding from two to four hundred dollars in pear crops, almost 

 every year ; but you would not believe me ; because in the neighborhood of Phila- 

 delphia there is no such cultivation as in Cambridge, all around Boston, and in 

 Rochester and its environs. I only want to say that if you give to an acre pear 

 orchard, planted with leading and marketable varieties, the care, cultivation, and 

 expense, which are bestowed upon an acre of cabbages or celery, you will find, 

 taking together a space of ten years, that your orchard has cost you a great deal 

 less and has paid you as well ; but you must drop that word orchard, and say a 

 pear garden. I could say a great deal more about the pleasure and profit of 

 fruit cultivation compared to the vegetable garden, where the same labor is re- 

 quired every year ; while a tree can be left alone at least for a season, and is in- 

 creasing in value annually;* but enough about that; I have taken up too much 

 of your valuable time, and if you think my remarks worth publishing, too much 

 of your varied and most interesting monthly. 



* I could prove also that for tlie first five or six years you can raise vegetables enough, 

 among your trees to pay all expenses. 



