90 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



the county. The refuse of a blacksmith shop or an iron foundry 

 is just the food the pear-tree loves. Sulphate of lime (gypsum,) 

 is one of the cheapest and most efficient manures for the pear. 

 "Wood ashes, however, contain the greatest variety of mineral 

 matter, and cannot be too carefully treasured for the use of this 

 as well as other fruits. When these ashes are leached, their 

 virtue is not so much exhausted as is generally supposed. The 

 phosphate of lime, one of their most valuable constituents, is 

 insoluble in water, and therefore remains intact. 



The past summer has not been favorable for the perfect 

 development of the pear. The trees blossomed and fruited 

 bountifully, but there has been an unusual tendency to crack, 

 and the want of flavor has been noticed in all parts of the 

 country. The cracking of the fruit is the most alarming fact in 

 pear growing. The Flemish Beauty and even the hardy Seckel 

 have this year suffered much from tliis malady. As to what is 

 the cause of this disease the P. D's (Pyrorum Doctores) 

 disagree, " and when the doctors disagree who shall decide ? " 

 Whether it is the result of atmospheric influence or some 

 defect of the soil, is not determined. The subject deserves 

 careful investigation, and our agricultural societies cannot offer 

 a premium for a more valuable object than a remedy for this 

 disease. 



PLYMOUTH. 



From the Report of the Committee. 

 No crop within our limits has suffered more from the wet- 

 ness of the season than the pear. The fruit did not set well. 

 When small and tender it became spotted and blotched with a 

 fine mould which destroyed much that remained ; and later in 

 the season many kinds began to crack and grow distorted. 

 When not more than half grown, leaf-blight appeared ; and 

 some trees were as destitute of foliage in August as they usu- 

 ually are late in autumn. The display of pears, however, was 

 creditable as a whole, and particular varieties were of fijie size 

 and quality. The Bartlett, not usually seen at our exhibitions, 

 was well represented. The Sheldon, Lawrence, Noveau Poiteau, 

 Doyenne du Comice, and Beurres Easter, Clairgeau and d'An- 

 jou, with others that might be named, were beautiful specimens 

 of their kind, suggestive to those who are reluctant to venture 



