TRANSACTIONS, &.c. 25 



Repobt on Peabs. 



Committee. — D. Waldo Lincoln, Chairmayi ; Dr, Wm. Work- 

 man, S. P. Champney, C. W. Forbush, and Charles Whittemore. 



A spring of unusual promise gave good reason to expect a more 

 fruitful season. Probably in no department ot Agriculture or Hor- 

 ticulture, did the long protracted drought of the summer fall with 

 more blasting effect than upon the culture of the Pear. After three 

 successive seasons of drought, should the next year prove more favor- 

 able, we may expect to see upon our tables many varieties not yet 

 exhibited here, while many of the older varieties will be seen and 

 brought to a state of perfection, of which, most of us have but a 

 faint idea. 



The Committee noticed with surprise, that, while many of the 

 most easily cultivated varieties,such as the Eeurre Diel, Louise Bonne 

 de Jersey, and Flemish Beauty, were so ordinary, that hardly a sam- 

 ple of what, in other seasons, would be considered fine specimens, 

 were shown. Duchess d'Angouleme, Brown Beurre, While Doy- 

 enne, Passe Colmar, and others, of more difficult culture, were 

 exhibited, which far surpassed the standard, by which we are accus- 

 tomed to judge those varieties. Facts like these, if future experi- 

 ence should confirm them, may suggest hints in planting the different 

 varieties which may prove of great value. 



Meanwhile, to grow good Pears, one rule of universal application, 

 to all seasons and all soils, may be given, viz : manure very high, 

 till very deep, and thoroughly underdrain the ground. 



The Exhibition of Pears, considering the season and our imper- 

 fect mode of cultivation, was better than could have been expected, 

 although, as compared with that of the last year, it was inferior, both 

 in the variety and excellence of the specimens. 



For the largest and best collection of Pears, the first premium of 

 $6 is awarded to John Milton Eaele, of Worcester, for his col- 

 lection of 59 varieties. 



