126 Editorial Miscellany. 



Mr. Barry proposed to discuss the soil most suitable for the pear, and 

 was called upon to address tlie meeting. 



The soil for the pear should be of a substantial character, retain mois- 

 ture, and sufficiently porous to allow the root to extend in all directions ; 

 should be trenched deep. In some parts cf the Western States, the pear 

 does not thrive well, and attributes it to the soil, although it is four to five 

 feet deep, which is very fine and so compact that the roots push into the 

 soil with the utmost difficulty. Some sorts do better on particular soils 

 than others, and differ very much under the same treatment. The pear 

 or quince requires particularly deep, rich soils, which ought to receive a 

 good top dressing of manure every year. When planting trees in clay 

 soil, it would be best to put pure sand around the roots of the trees, which 

 would induce the formation of young roots, after which they would be 

 sufficiently strong to make their own way into the clay soil. Would not 

 attempt to plant the pear upon gravelly or light sandy soil. 



Mr. Hovey had much experience in cultivating pears, and had observ- 

 ed them growing in different localities ; has seen pears do well in soils of 

 sand, but it requires to be deep. All large pears — such as Duchess of 

 Angouleme, Beurre Diel and others — require high cultivation to bring 

 them to maturity. While the fruit is growing or approaching maturity, 

 if the trees are checked, the fruit is apt to crack ; believes that all pears 

 will do well upon almost any soil, if it is only trenched deeply, so that it 

 can obtain sufficient moisture ; and related some astonishing facts about 

 trees which had received such treatment. Ought not to decide upon the 

 merits of pears till they had been in bearing several years; three or even 

 five years was too short a time ; thought that healthy, vigorous trees, 

 grown at any point in the Middle or New-England States, would thrive 

 finely, if planted in any locality. 



Mr. Bushnell, of Wayne county, Penn., said that the pear grew very 

 upright ; and the roots, to correspond with the top, must extend deeply 

 into the ground ; hence it seemed necessary to trench deeply. Thinks 

 that the pear will crack only when the leaves begin to fall, thus exposing 

 the fruit to the sun ; therefore should be fed with manures, which would 

 keep the plants vigorous throughout the season. If properly manured, 

 trees would produce fruit every year. Had noticed pears seldom produ- 

 ced perfect specimens soon after planting, or when growing rapidly. — 

 Manured his pears in the autumn, and found it much better than to do 

 it in the spring. 



Mr. Maxwell, of Geveva, remarked that tile-drained land is most valu- 

 able for trees, and that there is no soil but pure sand which is not bene- 

 fited by it. 



Mr. Clark, of Otsego, had had much experience in growing fruits, de- 

 scribed his kitchen garden, the soil of which was of the richest character, 

 yet he was unable to grow pears. 



Dr. Sylvester placed about one foot of charcoal around the roots of" 

 his trees, as it consumed fourteen times its own weight of water, and par- 

 ted with it in like proportions. He described the growth and productions 



