THE PEAE. 



Pyrus communis, L. Rosacece of Botanists. 



Native of Europe and Asia, the Pear has long been cultivated, 

 but not until within the past three centuries has there been any con- 

 siderable number of sorts esteemed valuable as dessert fruits, except 

 they were cooked. Of Van Mons, Knight, and others, and their ex- 

 ertions in originating and improving fruit, have we before written, 

 and to their skill and care do we owe many of our best imported va- 

 rieties ; while, in this country, we are not the less indebted to such 

 men as H. A. S. Dearborn, David Thomas, M. P. Wilder, J. P. Kirt- 

 land, W. D. Brinckle, and many others, for the importation, origin, 

 and dissemination of the best varieties throughout the States. 



Our pioneer settlers all planted seeds of the Pear, as well as of 

 the Apple ; and while in nearly all the middle portions of the States 

 there are immense trees, healthy and vigorous as the native forests, 

 few of these chance seedlings prove in fruit more than about one re- 

 move from the wild state. To this fact, and the erroneous impression 

 that " he who plants Pears, plants for his heirs," we attribute the 

 neglect of fruit-growers, for years, to plant any considerable number 

 of Pear trees. Gradually, however, as facilities of traveling have 

 increased, giving opportunity of comparing impressions with practice 

 and results, and information become freely disseminated through our 

 agricultural and horticultural journals, have pear plantations increased, 

 until at this time there are, probably, yearly planted in the States not 

 less than one million of trees. 



In almost every State there appear certain localities where the 

 Pear succeeds most perfectly, continuing to increase in size, vigor, 

 and productiveness, from year to year. The following may be 

 selected from many : Danvers, in Mass. ; Hartford, and East JN^ew 

 Haven County, in Conn. ; Vincennes, in la. ; Detroit, in Mich. ; and 

 North-western or Central New- York. And, indeed, we may find it 

 difficult to name a place where, with the appropriate care in culture 

 we have pointed out, the Pear may not be grown healthy and pro- 

 ductive. 



Propagation — By Seed. The propagation of the Pear by seed is 

 the same as that of the Apple, if we except the fact that, as the roots 

 of the Pear the first year are generally confined to the one " tap- 

 root," as it is termed, and a few fibres, it is necessary chat the soil 

 be at least two feet deep. Old pasture ground or meadow, trenched 

 with the spade, is the best for the growing of pear seedlings. 



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