170 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



leaf of the tree, and thereby greatly injure its growth. Strong 

 whale-oil soap-suds, applied with a stiff brush, before the leaves 

 start in the spring, is a sure cure ; it is a slow job, but, I think, 

 the only remedy. This insect is very small, scarcely to be seen 

 without the aid of a microscope, oval, and of a brick red color. 



The varieties of pears I offer you are as follows : 



The Bartlett, in praise of wliich I need not say any thing. 



Louise Bonne de Jersey — one of the very best pears for the 

 market, either on pear or quince. 



Duchesse d' Angouleme — on a light, warm soil, and with 

 high culture, will be found to be a very profitable variety. 



Seckel — of this I need not offer an opinion. 



Dun more — a very free bearer, thrifty growing, and one of the 

 most liardy trees I have — ripening when the market is not over- 

 stocked. 



Vicar — on the quince is one of the very best pears for profit, 

 is a most vigorous growing tree, and when on a moderately 

 warm soil, is the most reliable of any variety. 



Winter Nelis — the very best winter pear I have yet grown ; 

 it seems to take the place among pears that the Baldwin does 

 among apples. 



Beurre Diel — I have not found very satisfactory ; it has been 

 troubled with the leaf-blight much more than any other variety. 



Flemish Beauty — one of the best pears of its season, but very 

 liable so be blown off before it is quite ripe. 



"WoBURN, September 16, 1862. 



From the Report of the Comniittee on Plums, Melons and 



Peaches. 



The few samples of plums and melons on exhibition, warrant 

 the belief that there are difficulties in their successful cultivation 

 which deter farmers from the attempt. 



The only remedy for the black wart, if there is a remedy, is 

 a free use of the knife. I have found that slacked lime, about 

 one-half peck, thrown over the entire tree a few times, when 

 the fruit first appears, and while the dew is on, has given me a 

 full crop every year. One variety, the Purple Gage, never 

 having been atTected by the wart, is a hardy, thrifty tree, and a 

 free bearer of fine fruit. 



