152 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



suffered, for want of food or a well loosened and clean soil. 

 After a few years more, he discovered that many of the varie- 

 ties which he had, however they might thrive in other soils, 

 were not adapted to his ; so grafting was commenced. Now, 

 after thirteen years of impatient expectation, he is not able to 

 say that the trees which were planted solely for profit, have 

 paid the interest of their first cost, though the fruit has sold for 

 three dollars and upwards per bushel ; yet he still lives in the 

 most confident expectation that his pear orchard will yet become 

 a success in the good time coming. 



There have been remarkable instances of success in pear 

 culture, doubtless, particularly in the neighborhood of Boston 

 and other large cities ; but this success has been obtained by 

 men skilled in the business, favorably situated as to a market 

 which they thoroughly understood. There are many pears 

 grown in the town of Plymouth, and the soil or climate is 

 remarkably favorable to their perfection, yet it is highly prob- 

 able that there are few persons who have orchards that have as 

 yet been profitable. 



As the selection of the best varieties is quite a difficult mat- 

 ter, it is very desirable to know the opinions of experienced 

 fruit growers. Three gentlemen of Plymouth, having extensive 

 pear orchards, and long experience in growing a great variety 

 of fruit, have kindly furnished lists of the pears which succeed 

 best on their soils. The three soils resemble each other very 

 much, being strong loams. Mr. Thomas 0. Jackson has a very 

 large pear orchard, which is about fifteen years old. The trees 

 are very vigorous, and have made remarkable growth. Mr. 

 Jackson makes the following list : — 



Early — Bloodgood, Dearborn's Seedling, Rostiezer. 



Autumn — Bartlett, Golden Beurre, St. Ghislain, Belle Lu- 

 crative, Louise Bonne de Jersey, Seckel, Duchesse d'Angouleme, 

 Merriam, Eyewood, Bosc, Buffum. 



Winter — Glout Morceau, Lawrence, Vicar. 



Mr. B. M. Watson, who has the finest young pear orchard in 

 the county, and has a long experience in the cultivation of 

 other fruits, recommends the following as the best varieties of 

 pears for general cultivation : — 



Early — Doyennd d'Et(3, Giffard, Rostiezer. 



