APPENDIX. 177 



jar the tree, without letting go the handles. The cloth is so constructed 

 as to pass each side of the tree, by means of a slit from the front edge 

 to the centre. This implement can be run from one tree to another, and 

 quite a large orchard jarred in a day. 



A few dollars will construct one of these machines ; and a vigilant 

 and persistent use of it during the summer, will save nearly the fuU 

 crop of stone-fruits, which otherwise would be a total loss. To large 

 planters, it or some similar device is indispensable ; as it has been 

 found that no other warfare is so effective as that directed against the 

 perfect insect. 



Cotton - growers in the South, and tobacco - growers in the Middle 

 States, are compelled to maintain a vigilant warfare against their insect 

 enemies. So the fruit-growers, both North and South, must make up 

 their minds to maintain the same unceasing warfare. The war must be 

 carried forward with the same persistency ; and when so, under Provi- 

 dence, we will achieve the same success. 



But fruit-growers pay too little attention to the study of insect lifo 

 and habits. As we become acquainted with them belter, we shall doubt- 

 less be better able to cope with them, and check their devastating 

 ravages. 



PEAR BLIGHT. 



No branch of fruit culture has been attended with more difficulties 

 and discouragements, and resulted in more failures, in the United States, 

 than that of pear culture. And on no subject has there, perhaps, been 

 more diversity of opinion, even among the most intelligent and scien- 

 tific cultivators. No theory of culture, or cause, or cure of disease, 

 seems to be practically accepted, as in the case of many other fruits. 



Some planters in almost every section have been eminently success 

 ful for a time ; then, of a sudden, their luck would turn, and they could 

 thenceforward only achieve failure and disaster. Others have been met 

 with these results from the beginning. 



Twenty years ago, when pear culture was in its infancy throughout 

 the West, and failures had not become so common in the East, as to 

 cause the present existing doubt and dismay, many bright anticipations 

 were entertained. Thousands of trees were planted, with the hope of 

 fortunate returns, that have since died and been consigned to the 

 brush pile. 



A great deal of this disaster has been caused by the neglect of the 

 planter — as in the case of other kinds of fruit ; much has been due to 

 the improper choice of varieties ; and much to the propagation of many 

 sorts upon the quince, for dv/arfs, which were ill adapted. 



But the pear — although in cultivation in this country from a very 



