64 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



of pear culture." This has reference, of course, to the commori 

 varieties of pears, and was written before his acquaintance with 

 the Russians. 



There is an average difference of one day for every eleven 

 miles of latitude, other things being equal, in the ripening of 

 fruit. I think, however, but few of our people realize the great 

 difference there is in climate in the different sections of the 

 State ; or, that to the ordinary diff'erence made by latitude, 

 must be added the difference made by general elevation. 



Every three hundred feet of general elevation of a section of 

 country is said to be equal, in climatic effect, to one degree of 

 latitude; so that here at Newport must be added, probably, the 

 effect of about one degree ; at Dover and Foxcroft, a degree and 

 a half ; and from Blanchard and Monson' to Moosehead Lake 

 and northward, the effect of three or more degrees, to the actual 

 latitude. 



Of course, this does not apply to abrupt elevations in a place 

 of general low level, since it is well known that these elevations 

 are the ones to be selected as sites for orchards of tender fruits, 

 the cold air settling down into the valleys. But we have refer- 

 ence to the general level of the country. 



I fully believe that the Russians will supply the northern 

 part of the State with pears, if only they are planted and cared 

 for; but "success comes only to those who seek it." 



A few of them can now be had from some of the general nur- 

 series. Bessemianka may be had from most of the leading 

 nurseries. Gakovska, from the Sioux City Nursery Co., Sioux 

 City, Iowa; Mongolian Snow and Japan Golden Russet, from 

 the Silas Wilson Co., Atlantic, Iowa. The latter variety bears so 

 young that it sometimes fruits in the nursery row. Limber 

 Twig, Sapieganka, and perhaps others may be had from the 

 Fonthill Nurseries, Fonthill, Ontario. 



There ought to be a general waking up of the people of 

 northern Maine in regard to this matter of hardy fruits. It is 

 recommended that pear trees be cultivated for about four vears, 

 and then that the ground be seeded to grass. But as the trees 

 grow so much more slowly here. I should recommend that the 

 cultivation be continued a year or two longer. 



