128 , STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



plums of Russia do not seem to be so different from ours as the 

 apples and pears. 



The cherries come largely from Northern Germany. Several 

 kinds we have proved to be hardy. They belong to the Mazzard 

 family. They are cherries that grow and improve after they are 

 colored. If you can protect them from birds till they are ripe they 

 are good, for an acid cherry, as good as any I know. They do not 

 grow very high but bear profusely. 



DISCUSSION. 



Mr. Knowlton. Do you consider the Keifer pear adapted for 

 Maine? 



Dr. HosKiNs. The Keifer pear and all that class of pears, are 

 better the farther south they are grown. In New England they will 

 never be of any use except for cooking purposes. Probably the 

 Keifer is the best cooking pear known. Pears generally lose their 

 tlavor in cooking but the Keifer is improved by it. 



Mr. Knowlton. The question is whether we wish to buy for 

 Maine, a pear that only possesses good cooking qualities? 



Mr. Poi'F. I have fiuited ihat pear half a dozen years. The 

 best I could do has been to get one pear, the size of a hen's egg» 

 and a meaner pear never was grown. I did not try to cook it 

 because I did not think it was possible. 



Dr. HosKiNS. That flourishes in the Southern States, but will not 

 do well even so far north as tbe Middle States. 



