24 White Doyenne, or St. Michael Pear.— The Field of Wheat. Vol. XL 



White Doyenuc, or St. Michael Pear. 



S. B. Parsons, of Flushing, makes the following re- 

 marks in relation to this tree, in the American Agri- 

 culturist. They may equally apply to other varieties 

 of fruit that may seem to be on the decline. — Ed, 



This fruit, as we learn from the various 

 periodicals, and from our own correspondents, 

 has been infected with disease, not only in 

 the Eastern States and on the seaboard, but 

 throughout the country, in the interior of 

 Pennsylvania, Cincinnati, and through Ohio, 

 and in the State of New York. A short 

 time since, we wrote to various correspond- 

 ents for information on this point, and have 

 received numerous answers to the above 

 effect. We learned that the fruit of this 

 variety was infected also about Albany, and 

 in some localities on the Hudson river. We 

 speak of the fruit being infected, for the tree 

 is evidently untoDched, and grows with as 

 much luxuriance as any other variety. It 

 is now generally acknowledged that this de- 

 terioration in the quality of fruit is owing 

 not to any actual disease existing in the 

 tree, but to the depredations of insects, 

 which it is well known will often prey 

 upon some particular varieties of trees or 

 fruit for successive years. It is, I believe, a 

 fact, that young trees of this variety produce 

 healthy fruit. This is doubtless owing to 

 their greater thriftiness, and to the culti- 

 vated condition of the soil. Our own expe- 

 rience would seem to strengthen this opin- 

 ion, that disease may in a great measure be 

 eradicated by care and high cultivation. 

 Our old Doyenne trees, some forty or fifty 

 years old, had for many years suffered from 

 the common blight. For the last two years 

 the orchard has been highly manured and 

 cultivated, and this year much of the fruit 

 produced is perfectly sound, and with its 

 ancient delicious flavor. The same treat- 

 ment produced the same result in the New- 

 town pippin, which had shown some symp- 

 toms of the same blight. We have every 

 reason therefore, to think that the white 

 Doyenne has not " run out ;" that it is grad- 

 ually improving, and that by care and culti- 

 vation it may be restored to its pristine vigor 

 and perfection. 



Fences and outbuildings should be white- 

 washed, or coated with some material which, 

 while it serves as a protection against the 

 weather, will also add to the neatness and 

 ornate attractions of the homestead. A very 

 durable wash may be formed by mixing with 

 the water, before the lime is slacked, as 

 much salt as will dissolve, or by boiling rice, 

 and mixing the liquid with the mineral after 

 it is slaked. 



The Field of Wheat. 



By H. F. Gould. 



Field of wheat, so full and fair. 

 Showing thus thy silver hair, 

 Lightly waving either way 

 Where the gentle breezes play. 

 Looking like a sunny sea, 

 How I long to gaze at thee f 

 Pleasant art thou to the sight. 

 And to thought a rich delight; 

 TlKn thy name is music sweet 

 Silken sounding field of wheal? 



Pointing upwards to the sky, 

 Kising straight and aiming high. 

 Every stalk is seen to shoot 

 Like an arrow from the root ; 

 As a well trained company, 

 All in uniform agree, 

 From the footing to the ear- 

 All in order strict appear; 

 Marshalled by a skilful hand. 

 All together bow or stand. 



Still within the proper bound; 



None o'ei-steps the given ground. 



With its tribute held to pay 



Jft his nod whom they obey. 



Each the gem that studs its crown. 



Will in time for man lay down. 



Thou with promise art replete. 



Bearing precious sheaves of vt'heat .' - 



How thy strength in weakness lies! 



Not a robber bird that flies 



Finds support whereby to put 



On a stalk her lawless foot; 



None her predatory beak 



Plunges down thy store to seek, 



Where thy guard of silver spears 



Keeps the fruit and decks the ears; 



No vain insect that could do 



Harm to thee, dares venture through 



Armory like thine, to win 



From the sheath the grain within. 



What a study do we find 

 Opened here for eye and mind? 

 Who that sees thee as thou art 

 Can disown a grateful heart? 

 Here upon this favoured ground. 

 Faith is blessed and hope is crowned; 

 Charity may find the bread 

 Wide abroad her gifts to spread; 

 Wisdom, power and goodness meet. 

 Beauteous, bounteous field of wheat. 



John J. Murray, of Springfield, N. J., — 

 says a New York paper — died recently from 

 skinning a poisoned animal ; about two weeks 

 after tlie act, his left arm upon which the 

 intestines of the animal were carried, com- 

 menced swelling badly, and was succeeded 

 by a mortification. Two women Vv'ho assisted 

 in the act, were also in a dangerous con- 

 dition. 



