20 



and size to the tree. Thus the early bearing of the tree from 

 the influence of the quince stock is secured, and when it is fur- 

 nished with fruit-spurs, retains them even after it has thrown out 

 pear roots. Some of the most flourishing dwarfs are from thirty 

 to forty years old. 



The season of 1862 was the most productive that has occurred 

 since the orchard was planted. Colonel W. remarked, on bring- 

 ing to our view the loaded trees, that he had had fruits in former 

 years, but this year brought fruition. His crop of pears of this 

 year exceeded a thousand bushels, ripening from July to March. 

 The collection embraces more than eight hundred kinds — the 

 orchard above alluded to consisting principally of the following : 

 Bartlett, Louise bonne de Jersey, Urbaniste, Beurre d' Anjou, 

 Vicar of Winkfield, Buffum, Doyenne Boussock, Lawrence, Mer- 

 riam, and a few other sorts. The Beurre d' Anjou has been for 

 years a favorite with Colonel W., and we believe he has stated 

 that, if, after all his expenditures and exertions, he had only 

 acquired this variety, he should feel that he had been repaid, and 

 had conferred a lasting benefit on the country by its introduction. 



Colonel Wilder had eighty bushels of Beurre d' Anjou pears 

 this year, which brought three dollars per bushel. In former 

 years they had brought much higher prices. Among the trees 

 which particularly attracted our attention were several large Buf- 

 fums, some of which, we learn, produced over four barrels of fruit 

 each. 



The Committee visited Colonel W.'s nurseries, and were par- 

 ticularly pleased with the handsome and thrifty appearance of the 

 trees, both of the apple and pear. The neatness of cultivation 

 noticed throughout his grounds, was another very agreeable fea- 

 ture, and, we doubt not, one highly important in regard to profit. 



Some of the Committee visited the pear orchard of Mr. Edward 

 Ives, a neighbor of Colonel Wilder. This consists of two acres, 

 the trees having been planted in April, 1861. A portion of the 

 ground was quite wet, and required draining, which was done 

 with tiles, at the depth of two feet, and distances of about two 

 rods. The ground was trenched and manured ; and notwith- 

 standing the unfavorable predictions which were made in regard 

 to the success of pear trees in such a locahty, upwards of two 

 hundred dollars worth of fruit was sold from the orchard the 

 present year — a result which indicates what may be done by 

 thorough culture. 



*o' 



The Committee also visited the farm of Messrs. Frederick Clapp 

 & Brother, of Dorchester, where they saw the seedhng tree, 



