214 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



cut it down to about six buds. These buds will then start out, 

 and must be pruned so as to keep the fruit upon these limbs. 



Dr. Underbill. — I tried this method upon some standard peach 

 trees a number of years ago. I cut them down to ten to 16 inches, 

 and allowed but three or four branches to grow, and they made 

 most beautiful trees. They were many of them Malacatoons, and 

 the third summer they were loaded with fruit, bending down 

 like a weeping willow, in every direction from the centre. That 

 was the last year they bore. If I had taken off two-thirds of the 

 fruit I should have saved my trees. 



Mr. Hite. — I find that the peach tree never bears twice upon 

 the same wood. 



Dr. Underbill. — The plan in New Jersey is to grow peach trees 

 all sap and no ligneous fibre. The winter naturally freezes the 

 water, and produces the yellows, and on the I'ourth year they die 

 from that cause. Their life is reduced from twenty years to four 

 years, by an artificial tremendous growth in the nursery. 



Mr. Carpenter. — I am very glad to see these specimens to-day. 

 I had determined last Aveek to root out my Easter Beurres, but I 

 believe I will try them again. If I can produce such specimens 

 as these I shall be well satisfied ; but I do not think such speci- 

 mens can be produced generally. I have never seen the Easter 

 Beurre before, so finely grown, or so finely flavored. In Europe 

 it is esteemed one of the finest winter pears; but in this country 

 it has not given satisfaction, and there are few who are Avilling 

 to grow it. I have had it for ten years, and have never succeeded 

 in perfecting the fruit. The season does not seem to be long 

 enough. But I am inclined to think that much depends upon the 

 management, and that the system of summer pruning laid down 

 by Mr. Hite has a tendency to develop the character of the pear. 

 The single stem sjstem, which I believe Mr. Hite has adopted, 

 has many advantages, and I believe it has been proved that it 

 produces as much fruit as any other system. Mr. Rivers, perhaps 

 the most extensive pear grower in England, has adopted that 

 system. But to produce good trees from the quince stock, and a 

 good supply of fruit, they must be well manured every year, and 

 the ground must be kept mellow, and cultivated. 



Mr. Fuller. — I think once in ten years is often enough to feed 

 a tree; but say "cultivate" and I will agree with you. I believe 

 the whole secret of dwarf pear culture is stirring the soil. 



