60 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



the second year after being set. Eight years ago we set out sev- 

 eral hundred trees that were five to seven years old, and from 

 seven to twelve feet high, and we believe to-day that there are 

 few orchards in the State, which liave been set so short a time, 

 that appear so well. From these trees we have gathered much 

 fruit during the past four years. It is not so well sheltered as 

 we would choose to have it, for we regard this as of very great 

 advantage to a pear orchard. We have planted a thick row of 

 evergreen trees all along the north and east side, to break off the 

 cold winds of winter, so hard upon the trees, or the force of the 

 autumn gales, so destructive to fruit. 



In the selection of varieties, as wide a range of flavors as pos- 

 sible should be secured, and a succession of fruit, from the 

 earliest to the latest. In order to secure this result, it will be 

 best to plant from fifteen to twenty varieties ; though, of the 

 very earlij varieties, a single tree of each will be sufficient. The 

 Madaleinc, though not first-rate, is yet very early, Rostiezer, a 

 very fine pear, but not large or showy enough for market. 

 Brandywine, a sweet and excellent pear. Beurre Giffard, Clapp's 

 Favorite, which is a very valuable variety, but like all early pears, 

 needs to be picked even before it appears to be ripe. These for 

 the summer. The Bartlett, the universal favorite ; Belle Lucra- 

 tive, a sweet, delicious pear, but not profitable for market, because 

 it lacks color ; the Abbott, which, though not large, is very fine, 

 possessing a distinct almond flavor ; Paradise of Automne, an 

 acid pear, fair size, very productive ; Swan's Orange, a large fine- 

 looking acid pear of good quality ; Sheldon, a very highly fla- 

 vored fruit, of good size — there are few better pears than this ; 

 Seckel, — this variety is too well known to need any description, 

 — so far as mere quality is concerned, it stands at the head of 

 all varieties ; Marie Louise, a most admirable sort ; Urbaniste, 

 which possesses a decided rose-water flavor, few better than this, 

 though the tree is a long time coming into bearing ; Beurre Bosc, 

 a noble fruit ; Beurre d'Anjou, all things considered, one of the 

 most valuable sorts cultivated, large, good, productive. These 

 are for fall varieties. For winter use we have Dana's Hovey, a 

 variety almost equal in quality to the famous Seckel, and not 

 surpassed in its season by any other ; Lawrence, a valuable sort 

 that ripens up well without extra care, it is sweet and melting, 

 and we regard it as among the best ; the Vicar of Winkfield is 



