CHINESE SAND PEARS. 251 



are experimenting in hybridizing the China sand pears 

 with our old valued varieties; that is, taking the pollen 

 from the blossoms of our best dessert pears, and impregnat- 

 ing with it the blossoms of the healthy, hardy Eastern 

 sorts. 



Trees grown from the seeds of pears thus impregnated 

 have retained the same degree of health and vigor and 

 freedom from disease that belonged to the mother tree, 

 while the fruit they bear is as large, handsome, and deli- 

 cious as that of the home variety which was selected to be 

 the male parent, which is usually the Bartlett. And of 

 such excellent keeping qualities are these newly-created 

 pears that they may be, and have been, shipped to Europe 

 as freely and successfully as apples. 



This race of blight-proof pears is one of remarkably 

 rapid growth and intense thrift and vigor. The trees 

 grow readily from cuttings, and, if well cared for, will 

 bear in three years from the date of rooting. 



Their value is greatly enhanced by their power of adap- 

 tation to circumstances, for they will thrive on sandy soil 

 or in clay, in dry lands or in moister situations, although 

 they should never be planted in places more than moist 

 wet. They like a rich soil, and respond generously to lib- 

 eral feeding. As all pear trees need a good supply of 

 water when fruiting, they should be heavily mulched dur- 

 ing this period, if set out on lands subject to drought. One 

 point must, however, be borne in mind; these pears, on 

 quince stock, will not do well in Florida. 



All the sand pears are naturally symmetrical in shape, 

 and very ornamental, needing little pruning, save the re- 

 moval of dead branches from time to time. 



That the Chinese race of pears is destined to become one 

 of the staple productions of Florida, as it is already of 

 Georgia, we have no doubt. It has only been three or 



