312 Sow f7ie Doctoi's " 2)eif" Disagree. 



Pears— to Prevent Rotting; on tlie Tree. 



To an inquiry in the Southern Cultivator, for a preventive of rotting of the pear 

 upon the tree, and to cause it to ripen up, W. A. Jaraes, Bisbopville, S. C, says, 

 " strip the bark entirely off the bodies of bis pear trees, on the 20th of June, he will 

 find that most, if not all, the crop upon them will ripen that season. Be careful not 

 to scratch the wood with the instrument used in starting the bark, as it will make an 

 ugly scar in the new bark, which will form in a few days after the old one is removed. 

 I generally start about two feet from the ground, and strip both up and down, letting 

 it run up the limbs as far as it will, and as deep into the ground as it can. There 

 will be no risk of killing the trees, if done at the time indicated. 



"I stripped the bark from a pear tree on the 20th June, 1854. It was still living 

 when last heard from, I have performed the operation repeatedly, but the new bark 

 grows back so soon and the tree looks so natural, that unless you particularly mark 

 it, it would be impossible ever to tell it again. I once had a large nectarine tree 

 that bore full invariably, but never matured any fruit, until after it was barked. 

 That year it ripened all the fruit. The next year it was full of healthy fruit again, 

 but a storm during the summer up-rooted it, and I lost it. I hardly think the bark- 

 ing process will shorten the life of a tree, but if it did, it would be better to enjoy 

 some fruit than none at all." 



Pmning and Thinning. 



ED. Western Horticulturist — In the June number of The Horticul- 

 turist, I noticed an able article on " pruning and thinning." If I had dic- 

 tated that article it could not have met my view upon the subject of the pruning 

 man more fully. The article is just what might be expected from the source from 

 which it emanated, I am satisfied as to the good results of properly pruning fruit 

 trees. I have a nurseryman's catalogue before me, in which he facetiously denounces 

 pruning a " propensity to whittle." I am always glad to read a well written and 

 sensible article on any subject concerning fruit growing ; I say ditto to every line of 

 your article, its teachings are in accordance with my own experience of many years. 

 Cedar Rapids, Iowa. T. Paddinqton. 



How the Doctors "Dew " Disagree. — At a meeting of the Alton 111., Hor- 

 ticultural Society, Mr. Hyde took decided issue with Dr. Hull on the apple question ; 

 would not raise a Newtown Pippin — could get two bushels of Willow Twigs where he 

 could get one bushel of the Pippins ; was in for the paying apples ; Willow Twig 

 would fetch double the money, though inferior in quality. 



Long: Had trouble in selling the Newtown Pippin before its quality was known, 

 but now it sold with him more readily than any other apple. 



Starr : Found no money in the Newtown Pippin — Ben Davis filled the bill with 

 him. 



