FRUITS. 169 



apple for variety and general use. In a good soil and under 

 proper cultivation, it is both vigorous and hardy. It is bud- 

 ded and grafted like the apple, and requires the same treat- 

 ment ; it is as easy of propagation, attains a greater size and 

 age, and although longer arriving to maturity, it is a more 

 abundant bearer. Its favorite soil is a clay loam. It needs 

 little pruning as it usually throws out an upright, graceful 

 head, free from excessive bushiness. The trees may be 

 planted 25 or 30 feet apart, an abundance of sun being re- 

 quisite to full bearing and the perfection of the fruit. 



DISEASES. The pear is seldom subject to more than one 

 formidable disease, the fire blight, and to this some localities 

 are more subject than others. The disease manifests itself 

 generally in mid-summer, in the sudden withering of the 

 leaves on one or more branches. The only effectual reme- 

 dy is to cut off and burn the diseased limb immediately on its 

 discovery. The causes are imperfectly known, but it has 

 been variously ascribed to the presence of minute insects, to 

 the abundant flow of sap and to the severity of the winter. 



COLLECTING AND PRESERVING THE FRUIT. The pears in- 

 tended for market or for long keeping, should be hand-picked 

 and laid in a cool place ; and when perfectly dry put up in 

 casks like apples. Winter pears should be packed for pre- 

 servation like winter apples. 



THE VARIETIES to be selected depends entirely on the ob- 

 ject of their cultivation. For market the best and most pop- 

 ular kinds only should be chosen, and for family use, an 

 equally good selection should be made of those running 

 throughout the entire season. 



We name in their order of ripening, a dozen choice kinds, 

 the cultivation of which has thus far been thoroughly success- 

 ful and the qualities universally approved. The most of 

 these are pears of American origin, which are to be prefer- 

 red as promising more durability, hardiness and perfect adap- 

 tation to our climate and soils. We quote Downing. 



Summer and Early Autumn Pears. Bloodgood, Dear- 

 born's Seedling, Bartlett or Williams' Bon Chretien, Stevens' 

 Genesee. 



Autumn Pears. Beurre Diel, Dix, White Doyenne or Vir- 

 galieu, Duchess D'Angouleme. 



Winter Pears. Beurre D'Aramberg, Columbia, Winter 

 Nelis, Prince's St. Germain. 

 G 



