70 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



FRUIT. 



BARNSTABLE. 



From the Hejjort of the Committee. 



Cultivation of the Peae. — Notwithstanding the great 

 amount of valuable information upon this subject which has 

 been given to the public within the past few years, we are 

 constantly meeting with those who seem to have but little 

 correct knowledge in relation to the selection of varieties 

 adapted to our Cape and for different soils, and for cultiva- 

 tion as standards or dwarfs. 



The climate of our Cape seems peculiarly adapted to the 

 cultivation of most varieties of the pear. In setting a pear 

 orchard, as in the commencement of any other enterprise, it 

 is of the first importance to begin aright. If we could select 

 the soil, it would be a strong, gravelly loam ; still, many of 

 the most desirable varieties, like the Bartlett, Belle Lucra- 

 tive, Howell, Doyenne d'Ete and some others, will succeed in 

 almost any soil, with proper cultivation. Unless you have a 

 very strong, deep soil, and are determined to manure and 

 cultivate thoroughly, we should advise to set none but stand- 

 ard trees ; that is, trees grown upon pear-stocks. Dwarfs are 

 grown on quince-stocks. In selection of trees, purchase 

 none as standards but those budded or grafted on seedling 

 stocks ; not those that are sucker or root grafted, by any 

 means ; no nurseryman at the East will risk his business by 

 selling any others ; at the West, they have, in some instances, 

 a reputation for root-grafting pear-trees. Select well-grown 

 and thoroughly-ripened trees. No matter how luxuriant 

 may have been the growth in the nursery, provided the wood 

 was well ripened and you intend to do your whole duty by 

 them — the more thrifty the growth the better prepared to 

 withstand the shock of transplanting, and the greater the 

 recuperative power. 



