428 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



The cultivation of the pear for some time past has occupied 

 much attention, especially with amateurs, even to the exclusion 

 of that of every other species of fruit. For the dessert it is the 

 most valuable one we possess, the range of its season extending 

 through nearly the whole year. Its varieties are very numer- 

 ous, some collections in this county containing many hundreds 

 of different names. The pear tree, though hardy, is less so 

 than the apple, and in selecting a site for a pear orchard, care 

 should be taken to choose one somewhat sheltered, a slight 

 declivity sloping to the south or west, or level, defended on the 

 north and east, aifords perhaps a preferable situation. The 

 high winds that prevail in our climate, and the intense heat of 

 the sun, should both be guarded against, and from the evil 

 effects of both, sufficient protection may perhaps be found in 

 close planting — not sufficiently close, however, to impede a free 

 circulation of the air, for this is essential to the production of 

 fine fruit, a manifest difference being apparent between that 

 grown under this condition and that, when from some cause 

 this free circulation is much obstructed. If sometimes injurious 

 to the tree, the great heat of our climate, particularly in August 

 and September, when the heat of the day is succeeded by cool 

 nights, is favorable to the fruit, in maturing its juices, and 

 bringing its flavor to the greatest perfection. The roots of 

 the pear tree, especially while young, require protection, and 

 this may be afforded by a covering of litter, thatch, straw, 

 spent tan, or similar substances. It is not so much the severity 

 of the cold that is to be guarded against, as the heaving the 

 ground caused by its repeated freezings and thawings ; and to 

 the effect of winter, may the loss of young pear trees, that so 

 frequently occur, be usually ascribed, rather than to those 

 causes to which this destruction is commonly imputed. What- 

 ever covering may have been used to protect the roots in spring, 

 should be left round the trees in summer, to operate as a 

 mulching, that, keeping the ground moist and cool, tends to 

 promote their health and vigor. 



Proper attention should be given to the preparation of the 

 ground, before planting, by draining, where necessary, to get 

 rid of stagnant or under-ground water — by deep ploughing, or 

 better, by trenching, that the roots may readily extend to a 



