258 AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



the cultivation of which has thus far been thoroughly suc- 

 cessful, and the qualities universally approved. The most 

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

 ferred as promising more durability, hardiness and perfect 

 adaptation to our climate and soils. I quote from Downing 

 on fruits. 



Summer and Early Autumn Pears. Bloodgood, Dear- 

 born's Seedlings, Bartlett or Williams' Bon Chretien, 

 Stevens' Genesee. 



Autumn Pears. Beurre Diel, Seckel, Dix, White Doy- 

 enne or Virgalieu, Duchess D'Angouleme. 



Winter Pears. Beurre D' Aramberg, Columbia, Winter 

 Nelis, Prince's St. Germain. 



THE QUINCE. 



This is also a valuable market fruit. It makes a rich, 

 highly-flavored sweetmeat, and to this use it is entirely 

 limited. The tree is easily raised by suckers and cuttings, 

 and should be planted fifteen feet apart, in a rich, warm, 

 heavy soil (a clayey loam is the best), rather moist, and in a 

 sunny exposure where it will be sheltered from cold and 

 severe winds. The wash of a barn-yard is its best manure, 

 and it repays equally with the apple, for good cultivation. 

 The fruit is large, sometimes weighing a pound, of a rich, 

 golden color, and generally free from worms and other 

 imperfections. It ripens in October and November. The 

 orange quince is the best variety for common cultivation. 

 The tree requires but little pruning. The trunk may be 

 entire for two or three feet, or branch from the ground by 

 two or more stems. The top should be kept open to admit 

 the sun and air, and the trunk freed from suckers. When 

 thus treated, it will live long and produce abundantly. 



THE CHERRY. 



Aside from the value of its fruit, the cherry is an orna- 

 mental shade tree, hardy and vigorous in its growth, and 

 easy of propagation. It should be planted like the apple. 

 For culinary purposes, the common red cherry is perhaps 

 the best. This may stand sixteen or twenty feet apart, 

 according to the soil and situation. The large Hazard or the 

 English cherry requires more room, and if on a deep, warm, 

 sandy loam, its favorite soil, it should be planted two rods 

 apart, as it grows to a large size. It will flourish luxuri- 

 antly on a clay loam or an open gravel, provided the soil be 



