Sequel to luy Service Tree, 13 



inches of finely cut brush (hard wood), then fill up the holes with top soil mixed 

 with a compost of muck, woods earth and lime — say six parts of the first, five of the 

 second, and one of the latter. Should the muck be fresh I would add one-half part 

 of salt. I regard the salt as indispensable. There is much of truth in that old 

 Scotch saying, that "muck is the mother of the meal chest." 



I find the above compost excellent for clover as well as pears. 



In planting my trees I endeavor to have the bunch at the joining of the pear with 

 the quince about two inches below the level of the ground. 



No crops are allowed among my pear trees excepting occasionally the black pea, 

 which I plant as a fertilizer ; and even when I plant these, I adopt the clean culture 

 fsystem until the first of June. 



Few persons are aware of the sensitiveness of the pear tree, of its prompt response 

 to generous treatment, or its pining at neglect. 



Of all the pear food robbers, I place strawberries at the head of the list. 



Persons who have not the courage and disposition to spare the land and keep it 

 thoroughly cultivated, should not embark in the business of pear culture, for loss and 

 disappointment only await them. 



I have avoided barn-yard manure among my trees, either in planting or after 

 culture. 



Finding the trees so healthy and vigorous under the treatment of the compost first 

 named, that I shall not make any change excepting when the trees come into full 

 bearing, when I shall add bone and ashes for fruit food. 



In short, the following are requisites for successful pear culture in Eastern Virginia : 



1st. Perfect drainage. 



2d. Stifi"est clay soil. 



od. Proper planting of the trees. 



4th. Clean culture. 



5th. Healthy trees (which can be haid of responsible nurserymen direct, without 

 the intervention of an agent, and imparting the satisfaction of having every tree true 

 to name). 



6th. Timely supply of proper food for growth of both wood and fruit. 



7th. Determination, patience, and sufficient of the sacrificing spirit to remove all 

 fruit until the tree has sufficient wood to sustain it without checking the wood growth. 



8th. Judicious pruning (better none than too much). 



9th. Careful picking, packing, and handling of the packages. 



10th. The right kind of an agent to dispose of them. 



Norfolk, Va. Gr". F. B. Leighton. 



*♦ 



Sequel to my Service Tree. 



ENCLOSED I send you a few autumnal leaves from my Service Tree. Although 

 confined to a sick room now for a few days, these leaves look so beautiful to my 

 eyes, that I could not forbear stepping on to my front stoop, and stretch out my hand 

 and pluck them for you. If your wife, or any lady friends, want patterns for arti- 

 ficials, to trim a winter hat, I commend these leaves, especially their exquisitely rich 

 colors. S. Foster. 



