4:8 SEEDLING PEOPAGATION OF VAEIETTES. 



From information of the use of a crab pear, in Con- 

 necticut, known as the Perry, and from its great vigor, 

 hardiness, and longevity, I anticipate excellent results 

 from its use as a stock. 



After what has been said, it will be almost unne- 

 cessary to state that varieties subject to blight; or 

 fruit from trees that have been injured by it, must 

 always be avoided by the seed collector. One cause 

 of defect and failure in trees is, the selection of suckers 

 for stocks. It has been customary for some nursery- 

 men, during the great demand for pear stocks, and 

 their consequent scarcity, to employ the vagrant and 

 wandering families of negroes to grub up the suckers 

 in woods, and around old pear trees, for use in the 

 nursery. Of the disadvantages attending the use of 

 such stocks, it is hardly necessary to speak. 



PLAXTTNG SEED CULTIVATION OF SEEDLINGS. 



The seeds should be sown in October, after frost has 

 made its appearance, or in early spring. The former 

 is thought by many to be preferable. The conditions 

 favorable to their growth, are the same as for the best 

 cultivation of trees. The soil should be deep, dry, 

 well pulverized, and moderately rich. "When grown 

 in very rich or damp soils, they make a rank, luxuriant 

 growth, but form excellent subjects for that pestilence 

 of the Pear tree — the blight. Indeed, of all seedlings, 

 not exotic, I think the Pear has generally proved the 

 most difficult to grow. If the soil should be poor, the 

 plant is stunted and small; and such plants seldom 

 attain a vigorous condition, and are entirely unworthy 

 of use as stocks for budding. 



