FRUITS. 257 



Black Apple, Yellow Belle fleur, Detroit, Hubbardston 

 Nonesuch, Green and Yellow Newtown Pippin, Northern 

 Spy, Blue Pearmain, Peck's Pleasant, Rhode Island -Green- 

 ing, American Golden Russet, English Russet, Roxbury 

 Russet, Swaar, Ladies' Sweeting, Talman's Sweeting, Eso- 

 pus Spitzenberg, Waxen Apple, Wine Apple. 



THE PEAR. 



The pear is one of the most luscious, wholesome and pro- 

 fitable of the market fruits, though not .comparable to the 

 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, frequently attains a 

 greater size and age, and although longer arriving at matu- 

 rity, it is a more abundant bearer. Its favorite soil is a clay 

 loam. It needs little pruning, but usually it throws out an 

 upright, graceful head, free from excessive bushiness. The 

 trees may be planted 30 feet apart, an abundance of sun 

 being requisite 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, it is more ex- 

 posed in some localities 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 

 remedy is to cut off and burn the diseased limb, immediately 

 upon its discovery. The causes are imperfectly known, but 

 it has been variously ascribed to the presence of minute in- 

 sects, to the excessive flow of sap, and to the severity of the 

 winter. 



Gathering and preserving the fruit. Many pears re- 

 quire to be picked just before they are ripe, and allowed to 

 mature in the shade. They thus acquire a rich, juicy 

 character they would not otherwise attain. Those intended 

 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 may be packed for preservation 

 like winter apples. 



The varieties to be selected depend entirely on the object 

 of their cultivation. For market, the best and most popu- 

 lar kinds only should be chosen ; and for family use, an 

 equally good selection should be made of those maturing 

 throughout the entire season. 



I subjoin, in their order of ripening, a dozen choice kinds* 



