THE PEAR. 1 i 3 



are much preferred. The pear adapts itself to a great 

 variety of soils; it requires good cultivation, and on 

 most soils liberal manuring will be necessary. Ashes 

 and lime are very beneficial. 



Standard pears require about the same pruning as 

 apple trees. The fruit of most varieties of the pear is 

 very much improved by ripeningofF the tree. It should 

 be gathered carefully to prevent bruising, when matured, 

 but not colored. The proper time is when some of the 

 full grown but unsound fruit begins to color and drop 

 from the tree. If carefully packed in boxes with some- 

 thing between the hwers, and kept in a cool, dry place, 

 the fruit will be fully ripened in from five to fifteen days. 

 The greatest difficulty in the way of pear culture is the 

 disease known as blight. It seems to attack mercilessly 

 trees of almost all ages, varieties and localities ; and, 

 although many theories have been advanced and reme- 

 dies suggested, its ravages continue almost unabated. 

 Its presence is indicated by a sudden withering and turn- 

 ing black of the leaves in certain portions of the tree, 

 while the other parts remain apparently in full vigor. 

 Unless the disease is checked, the tree is soon de- 

 stroyed. Trees that are attacked by blight often recover 

 after having the diseased portion pruned off. Always cut 

 a considerable distance below the affected part. 



Damp soils, which induce a late growth and imper- 

 fectly matured wood, are unfavorable for the pear. 



THE LeCONTE pear. 



The introduction of this pear has, during the last few 

 years, created quite a stir at the South in pear culture. 

 It was introduced into Liberty county, Ga., in 1856, from 



