THE PEARS OF NEW YORK IOI 



or self-fertile, are more fruitful and produce better fruit with foreign pollen 

 than with their own. To old pear-growers, this seems to be putting it 

 rather strong, but the statements come from accurate experimenters and 

 observers and should have consideration. Cross-pollination, be it remem- 

 bered, is not a cure-all for failures to set fruit. Unseasonable weather, 

 lack of vitality in trees, various fungi, and no doubt other agencies, may- 

 be the cause of unfruitfulness. 



As to commercial varieties, the tale is soon told. Only a half-dozen 

 sorts are generally planted in New York orchards. These, about in order 

 of importance, are: Bartlett, Kieffer, Seckel, Beurre Bosc, Beurre d'Anjou, 

 and Winter Nelis. To this short list may be added the following grown 

 more or less for local markets: Clapp Favorite, Sheldon, Beurre Clairgeau, 

 Lawrence, Howell, Tyson, and Mount Vernon. A list for the home orchard 

 should include all of these and many more to be chosen from the major 

 varieties described in Chapter IV. The pear flora of the country changes 

 very slowly, and there are now almost no new sorts on general probation 

 in the country. 



Perhaps with no other tree-fruits is it more important to begin with 

 good trees, as even with the best it is often difficult to get a good start 

 toward a pear-orchard. Black-heart, caused by winter-killing, is a sign 

 that must be heeded, and a tree badly blackened in its pith, especially if 

 the surrounding wood is discolored, should be discarded. Crown-gall on 

 tap roots affects the tree deleteriously. Trees marked by hail or 

 insects are often worthless. Other marks that commend or condemn trees 

 are: A short stocky plant is better than a tall spindling one. A tree 

 with many branches is better than one with few branches. The roots 

 should be much branched rather than sparsely branched. A tree with 

 smooth, bright bark is better than one with rough, dull bark. Both trunk 

 and branches should be plump and show no signs of shrivelling. A poor 

 pear-tree in the nursery seldom makes a good tree in the orchard. There 

 is great variation in varieties as the trees come from the nursery, a fact to 

 be considered. In New York, two-year-old trees are best. 



A good deal of the success that attends the culture of the pear depends 

 on properly setting the young trees and the right care of the young plants. 

 It is superfluous to discuss these operations in detail, but a statement as 

 to proper setting and care will serve as reminders. In this State, pear- 

 trees should always be set in the spring. A young pear-tree should be set 

 in the soil about as deep as it stood in the nursery; in light soils the roots 



