58 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



has prevailed extensively that the pear is a long time coming 

 into bearing, and that all who planted them were planting for 

 the next generation rather than this. The trees have been more 

 expensive than other fruit trees, and some of them have been 

 destroyed by blight and winter killing. The first objection is 

 comparatively groundless, for, with the dwarf pear-trees, one 

 may reasonably expect a fair crop of fruit the fourth or fifth 

 year from the time it is budded on the quince, while if the trees 

 be on their oivn roots, twelve to fifteen years will elapse before 

 any considerable results will be obtained. But what is this ? 

 He who plants must plant in faith. We well remember when, 

 some years ago, we were gathering seed of the elm under a 

 large tree belonging to a neighbor, that a gentleman asked us 

 what we were doing ; and when told we were securing a quan- 

 tity of elm seed for planting, he looked incredulous, and taking 

 up a quantity of seed in his hand which were several hundreds, 

 so small and light are they, said : Do you ever expect to get 

 trees large enough to sell from that stuff? When we assured 

 him that we expected to live to see trees from that seed, or if 

 ive did not, somebody else would, he shook his head and passed 

 on. To day we can show many fine elms raised from that seed, 

 standing in the streets of Newton, that are considerably more 

 than a foot in diameter, spreading wide their graceful branches, 

 affording an agreeable shade to the passer-by. 



You all remember the story of the old man who would not 

 plant an orchard because lie would not live to enjoy its fruits. 

 But his son planted one, the fruits of which both he and the old 

 man enjoyed. He is a very selfish man who declines to plant 

 pear or any other trees, because he may not live to reap the full 

 benefit. If he be a benefactor who makes two blades of grass 

 grow where but one grew before, what shall be said of him who 

 plants trees from which shall be gathered golden fruit in boun- 

 teous measure to gladden the eye and gratify the taste ? 



Think of the great progress that has been made in securing 

 varieties of every season, size, color and flavor ! We are no 

 longer confined to three or three hundred, or, we might say, a 

 thousand sorts. Those who do not enjoy the sweet and cloying 

 Seckel, may grow the Beurre Superfin. If the musky flavor 

 of the Bartlett does not suit the acute palate, then take the 

 Clapp's Favorite, where that unpleasant flavor is wholly left out. 



