THE DIVERSIFIED FARM. 



In diversified farming by irrigation lies the salvation of agriculture. 



PROFITS IN PEARS. 



Pears are generally neglected in plant- 

 ing a commercial orchard, and one of the 

 most profitable fruits forgotten. Those 

 who have had years of experience in grow- 

 ing the pear find it pays handsomely if 

 properly handled. The pear orchard re- 

 quires about the eame soil as that demanded 

 by the apple. The trees thrive in all ap- 

 ple growing latitudes and may be grown 

 on any good orchard land. A sloping, 

 well drained hillside with a clayey forma- 

 tion is best suited to pear growth. If the 

 climatic and protected conditions are fa- 

 vcrable the trees may be profitably grown 

 in river or creek bottoms where there is 

 plenty of humus. It is necessary that a 

 quick, healthy growth be obtained in order 

 to get early bearing and prevent the rava- 

 ges of parasites and fungus diseases. 



Both the quantity and quality of pears 

 are greatly influenced by plant food. Pears 

 are heavy consumers of potash and respond 

 well to liberal applications. It is neces- 

 sary, though, to see that a sufficiency of 

 phosphoric acid and nitrogen are applied. 

 If a complete fertilizer is used, it should 

 contain say 9 per cent each, of phosphoric 

 acid and potash and about 3 per cent of 

 nitrogen, and can be used at the rate of 

 about 800 Ibs. per acre annually. 



Another economical plan for fertilizing 

 the pear orchard is to grow clover or peas 

 to furnish the nitrogen, and in turn fertil 

 ize these with phosphoric acid and potash; 

 about 200 to 250 Ibs. of muriate of potash 

 and 300 to 400 Ibs. of acid phosphate per 

 acre can be broad- casted and worked into 

 the soil before the peas or clover are sown. 

 - his produces a heavy growth of the 



legume, which in turn will keep the soil 

 well supplied with nitrogen and organic 

 matter. 



There are many varieties of pears both 

 the dwarf and standard. The Wilder is 

 one of the most popular early kinds, hav- 

 ing many strong friends among the orch- 

 ardists. The Bartlett is probably the most 

 popular of any and is one of the best bear- 

 ers. Among others generally planted are 

 the Flemish Beauty, Clapp's Favorite, 

 Seckel, Lawrence and Winter Nellis. By 

 planting the different varieties there is a 

 more perfect blossom fertilization and the 

 fruits continue ripening from midsummer 

 until late in the fall. Trees may be had 

 from any responsible nurseryman in any of 

 the fruit-growing centers. It is well to 

 get those grown near home and thereby 

 have them acclimated. They range in 

 price from five cents to twenty-five cents 

 each. Small trees are generally preferred. 

 Pear trees may be planted as close as 

 fifteen feet apart either way for the stan- 

 dard, and ten feet for the dwarf. They 

 should be pruned in a conical form and 

 kept free from disease. Annual spraying 

 with a preparation of lime, sulphur, lye 

 and salt destroys the scale and red spider. 

 The blight is something more troublesome 

 and harder to conquer. A thrifty growth, 

 gained by clean cultivation and liberal 

 manuring of the needed elements of plant 

 food will insure the orchard against the 

 blight and similar diseases. A pear orch- 

 ard should be kept clean of noxious weeds 

 and grasses. If not cultivated it is well 

 to mow the weeds two or three times every 

 summer. 



The picking and marketing of pears is 



