302 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



THE CULTURE OF THE PEAR. 



BY GEORGE T. POWELL, GHENT, N. Y. 



The pear is one of the very desirable fruits, and one that is not pro- 

 duced in sufficient quantities to supply the demand for it. It is some- 

 what more difficult to grow than the apple, suffers under neglect, and 

 hence it is not found on many farms, even in garden culture, in many 

 instances. It will, however, well repay those who will select a suitable 

 piece of land and plant pear trees, bringing to them the care they 

 require. The tree is not as much subject to insect attack as the apple 

 tree; but the pear blight is at times very hard to control, and causes 

 heavy inroads upon orchards. It is only necessary to know the right 

 conditions and to follow right methods, that this most excellent fruit, 

 now mainly a luxury, may be grown with profit over a much wider 

 territory. 



The Soil. 



The ideal soil for the pear is a clay loam. The temperature of such 

 soil is somewhat lower than that of a more open or sandy character. 

 The clay soil is more retentive of moisture, which is essential to the 

 best development of the tree and fruit. If for want of sufficient mois- 

 ture the pear receives a check in its growth, particularly in its early 

 stages, it will not be so fine in quality; there will be more or less dis- 

 colored specimens and unevenness in form, with roughness of skin, 

 which is undesirable, and which lessens the value of the fruit for the 

 best trade. 



Pears will grow on a variety of soils, but they are not adapted to 

 many of them, hence pear orchards are not successful in many places. 

 While the soil needs to be well supplied with plant food, it should not 

 contain too much nitrogen, as an over-luxurious growth of wood is 

 subject to blight. If bearing trees, in addition to producing a full 

 crop of fruit, make an annual growth of from 6 to 10 inches, they are 

 in the best possible condition. 



Many orchards are planted on sandy soil, and while under the best 

 culture they often produce excellent fruit, the trees are shorter lived 

 and are more subject to blight, because of higher temperature of the 

 soil and from lack of moisture. The quality and character of the soil 

 affect the quality of the fruit, which is indicated by the skin of the 

 fruit. Where the skin is of a smooth, glossy character, with uniformity 

 in the shape of the fruit, the highest quality is obtained. 



