286 Pears in Illinois. 



ten Yews have fared badly. We hear, too, of large rhododendrons being 

 killed by the severe weather of last winter. We believe the Cupressus 

 Lawsoniana is too uncertain for the latitude of New York ; so is the 

 Cryptomeria yaponka. 



A fruit-grower near here raised some berries of the Jucunda as large 

 as those grown at Pittsburg ; but the plants made hardly any growth, and 

 are now very feeble. 



Not one of two hundred we set out last fall lived through the winter. 



With us, nothing yet has equalled the Wilson. Last year, the only good 

 berries we tasted were Scott's Seedling and the Brooklyn Scarlet. 



Those people who recommend the Early Harvest Apple can hardly be 

 aware of the merits of the Primate. It is a good grower and bearer, will 

 answer for cooking as soon as the Harvest, lasts much longer, and is alto- 

 gether the best early tart apple we know for family use. /. H. 



North Hempstead, L.I. 



PEARS IN ILLINOIS. 



In your January number, you inquire for the experience of cultivators as 

 to planting dwarfs among standard pears. I think our experience in the 

 South-west is against it. Dwarfs and standards require radically different 

 treatment. Dwarfs with us need pretty thorough cultivation to bear large, 

 fair fruit regularly, and not become prematurely debilitated ; while many 

 growers believe their standards to be healthier if seeded to grass or clover 

 after a few years of cultivation of the soil. Again : dwarfs will be benefited 

 by judicious manuring, in most of our soils, when in heavy bearing; while 

 that course would generally be fatal to standards. I know many men who 

 have planted in that way ; and all of them who have any conscience at all 

 in regard to culture are in constant embarrassment in trying to steer safely 

 between the Scylla and Charybdis of pear-culture, — blight and debility. 

 Hence I think that most practical men would advise planting these classes 

 of trees separately ; and a majority of my acquaintances would still further 

 advise not to plant the dwarfs at all. 



The only practical obstacle to great and general success in pear-growing 



