296 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



the whole for general culture here ; a variety may be called 

 first-rate in our country, and second, or third rate in Europe, 

 and vice versa. 



The Bartlett, in England called " Williams' Bon Chretien," 

 is classed in their books as second rate. We consider it — 

 taking into consideration its productiveness, accommodating 

 itself to almost all soils, as well as its quality — first-rate. The 

 Beurrc d' Aremberg there is first-rate, but with us — from its 

 uncertainty in ripening and bearing — we should not so consider 

 it, but should infinitely prefer such winter pears as the Law- 

 rence and Winter Nelis, as giving better results. 



Prom the list of foreign pears we should select the following : 

 For an early fruit, Rostiezer, and for the fall variety, the Bart- 

 lett, Belle Lucrative, Beurre Bosc, Beurre d'Anjou, Bezi de la 

 Motte, Louis Bonne de Jersey, Golden Beurre, Beurre Clairgeau, 

 Thompson, Duchesse d'Angouleme, Beurre Diel and Urbaniste ; 

 and for winter fruit, the Winter Nelis, Glout Morceau, and 

 Vicar of Winkfield ; and for cooking pears, Catillac, Rush- 

 more's Bon Chretien, Chelmsford, Pound, and Black Pear of 

 Worcester. 



Regarding dwarf pears, the inquiry is often made, " What 

 do you think of the quince root for pear culture ?" From our 

 own observation, together with some experience, we should say 

 with Downing, " that the dwarf pears belong to the small gar- 

 den of the amateur, rather than to the orchardist, or to him who 

 desires to have regularly large crops and long-lived trees." 

 The pear upon the quince root requires more care, than upon 

 its own stock ; the Duchesse d'Angouleme is the only one we 

 have known that ordinarily does better upon the quince. The 

 quince root cannot be depended upon for many years ; the 

 winter of 1853, '54 was disastrous to dwarf pears in many sec- 

 tions of our country ; the few who still advocate this culture 

 advise " mulching all the trees, especially all those in an exposed 

 situation before winter." This course for our farmers would, 

 as is said of the upland culture of the cranberry, " cost more 

 than it would come to." A nurseryman of Long Island, some 

 years since, commended highly the raising of dwarf pear trees ; 

 the same individual, having gained more experience, honestly 

 acknowledges his mistake and pubHcly recommends the pear 

 stock as highly for permanency and safe returns. The great 



