THE GENESEE FAEMER. 



9K 



" Win', in certain localities, has the Pear tree con- 

 tinued healthy, and endured to such extreme age ? 



" To this may be replied, that some localities 

 abound in their necessary food. The_ green sands 

 and mass of the tertiary formations in New Jersey 

 are rich in those elements. The debris of the dykes, 

 in some parts of Connecticut, contain them, especially 

 potasii, in abandance ; and there is little doubt that 

 if the clays composing the banks of the Detroit River 

 were analyzed, they would be found to contain more 

 tliau a usual amount of the phosphates. 



" In some instances this tree is sustained for a long 

 period of time by the accidental supply of food. The 

 dead carcass of some large animal may have been 

 deposited near its location — a pile of bones, leached 

 aahes, decaying vegetal )le matter, the refuse of a 

 slaughter house, or night soil. Perhaps flocks of 

 ducks, geese, hens or turkeys make their roosts on or 

 under its boughs for days and months in succession. 

 From these and similar sources phosphate of lime 

 may be furnished. 



" Pear trees springing up in dense and neglected 

 hedges are generally healthy, esjiecially if they are 

 the resort of quadrupeds aud poultry. 



" In one instance I was familiar with a tree which 

 ittained an unusual size. It was standing near a 

 smith's shop, and the owner for a long series of years 

 lad almost daily shoed a large number of horses 

 inder its shade. The parings of their hoofs, as well 

 is their adventitious droppings, contrilnited all ele- 

 ueuts the tree required. Popular opinion attributed 

 he elfects to the iron rust and cinders scattered 

 roui the shop. It was common to see the popula- 

 iou in the vicinity placing loads of cinders aliout 

 heir trees, and encumbering the limljs with horse 

 hoes and sacks of old iron, ' to keep off the blight.' 



" Other collateral influences have favored these bi- 

 enturians in certain localities. The Pear tree requires 

 . rather moist and tenaceous soil — not, however, wet 

 nd saturated with stagnant water. If placed on a 

 Jamy or clayey soil, abounding in the requisite inor- 

 •anic elements, with pure water percolating beneath 

 t a depth at which it can merely be reached by the 

 xtreme roots, this tree will be as hardy, strong- 

 rowing and durable as the Oak. 



" Climate also exerts an influence over its health 

 nd prolificness. Contiguity to large bodies of water 

 3ems to temper the severity of the cold of winter, 

 nd prevents the occurrence of the frozen sap blight; 

 ud in summer the moist emanations prevent the 

 torching impressions of the sun, both on the foliage 

 nd fruit. Detroit and its vicinity are naturally fur- 

 ished with the necessary requisites for producing 

 his fruit on an extensive scale. Hundreds of acre's 

 f land might be advantageously emjjloyed for this 

 urpose. If the population consult their own inter- 

 sts, and would develop the resources Providence has 

 ■laced at their command, they will soon become the 

 ear-growers of the nation. They might advanta- 

 eously even ship, every autumn, thousands of bushels 

 f tlie winter varieties to Kurope. 



"All localities in our country are not naturally 

 lesseil as is Detroit with the capabilities of rearing 

 his fruit almost spontaneously. It is hoped tluS 

 hese views may not deter any one from attempting 

 ■A cultivation in a judicious manner. The deficien- 



cies which occur in most soils may be, to some extent, 

 artificially supplied. Animal bones, urine, the sweep- 

 ings of the poultry-house aud yard, aud guano, are 

 the principal sources from whence the supplies must 

 be furnished. 



"My own trees have been greatly improved, both 

 in their vigor and productiveness, by burying al)out 

 their roots large quantities of uugi-ound bones ; time 

 and weather break them down as rapidly as the trees 

 call for supplies. The surface of the ground has bcf'D 

 dressed with ashes and refuse lime. Under this 

 course of treatment I never had a Pear tree attacked 

 with any species of blight. This may have been ac- 

 cidental. 



"In conclusion, I should say that, in common lo- 

 calities, no one should set out one Pear tree more 

 than he can cultivate with care, and can constantly 

 supply, in some form, with the requisite food. A 

 starved fruit tree is of no more profit than a starved 

 animal. 



'_'A better taste should be developed among the 

 fruit dealers and fruit purchasers in the markets of our 

 cities. Some days since I sent into market several 

 bushels of Beiir're Fan Marvin — a third rate, but 

 yellow and showy fruit — and of the Beiirre Bosc — 

 the best of pears, in my estimation, but of a rusty 

 and unimposing exterior — both were fully ripe. To 

 the good people of Cleveland we must allow the 

 credit of being the best of judges of fashion and 

 business operations, but can not honor their taste 

 about fruits. The Beurre Fan Marum sold readily 

 from two to three doUars per bushel ; while the 

 Beurre Bosc would not fetch any price. My agent 

 returned them, and my family soon learned to appre- 

 ciate their value." 



GENESEE VALLEY HORTICULTURAL 

 SOCIETY. 



The annual meeting of the Horticultural Society 

 of the VaUey of the Genesee was held at the Court 

 House, Rochester, on the 4th of February-. 



P. Barry, Chairman of the Fruit Committee, 

 made an able and interesting report, which, did space 

 permit, we should gladly copy. Many of the facts, 

 however, in relation to the fruits sent from France 

 by M. Le Roy, were given by us in the Februaiy 

 number of the Farmer. 



After the reading of the report, it was, on motion, 

 unanimously 



Resolved, That the thanks of this Society, with a 

 Diploma, be presented to M. Le Roy, for the fine 

 collection of fruit he so kindly sent us. 



Mr. H. N. Langworthy called the attention of 

 memljers of the Society to the Michael Henry Pippin 

 apple, brought by him from Indiana. 



The following gentlemen were elected officere for 

 the ensuing year: 



President — H. P. Nortox, of Brockport. 



Fice Presidents — John Williams, of Rochester ; 

 Ski.ah Mathews, of Brighton ; Robert Browx, of 

 Creece ; H. Hooker, of Irondequoit ; Z. Burr, 

 of Perinton ; Samuel Shadbolt, of Scottsville. 



Corresponding Secretary — H. E. Hooker, of 



Brighton. 



