A CIIAPTEll OX PEARS 



BY 0. T. IIOBBS, CRAWFORD CO., PA 



My bearing trees are nearly all dwarf, and contrary to the experience given by some 

 correspondents of the Horticulturist in a former volume, I find them productive to a 

 fault. I have about a huudrcd varieties, nineteen of which have borne the present 

 season, and many others which were loaded with blossoms dropped their fruit pre- 

 maturely in consequence of inclement weather. 



^ly trees vary from three to five years of age from the buds, and I am so well 

 pleased with them that I intend to plant several thousand, mostly of winter varieties 

 for the city markets. I plant from eight to ten feet apart, and cultivate with one 

 horse, plow and harrow. 



Our new soils abound in potash, and are well adapted to pear culture without the 

 addition of manures, (lime excepted,) until by bearing they tend to exhaust the soil. 

 There is little danger, however of making the ground too rich, but extra tillage is of 

 more importance in new rich soils than abundance of manures. 



Those who plant on wet clay or green sward, and leave them to take care of them- 

 selves, will be sure to find fault with " Dwarf Pear trees." The quince, the currant, 

 and the rose, will pay beautifully for extra treatment, and will not well abide any 

 other and give satisfaction. 



The season here has been one of the most unfavorable for the perfect develope- 

 ment and perfection of fruits that has been known for many years. We have in 

 this a lesson worthy of the attention of both tree and fruit cultivators. A fruit 

 which has proved itself superior to the climatic severity of 1855, may be planted 

 extensively without fear of failure. 



My little experience with pears for the season, is as follows : — 



Madelain, insipid and acid. 



Dearborn's Seedling, flavorless. 



Bartlett, excellent above suspicion. 



Summer Frank Real, acid and insipid. 



Brown Goubault, sweet, juicy and good, and should entirely supercede Frank 

 Reals. 



Seckel, quite indifferent. 



Belle Lucrative, flavorless and insipid. 



Long Green, very good. 



Henry IV., high flavored and good. 



Duchess d' Orleans, high flavored but astringent. 



Bilboa Golden Buerre, good but not high flavored. 



