112 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Bavtlett, They winter-kill with me. They succeeded for a few 

 years, but in 1857 they winter-killed. The great diflScultj' about 

 farmers growing pears is, that they don't feed the trees. I am 

 satisfied that to raise pears we must feed the trees better than 

 any other fruit trees. Go into our cities and you will find that 

 they all succeed with pears. So do I ; but when I see a pear 

 orchard in a mowing field, I don't find it a success. 



Mr. IIersey. In relation to cracking, I believe it is generally 

 conceded that wood -ashes and salt put on as a dressing, are very 

 good as a remedy for it. I liave had good results from it. The 

 protection of my trees is rather a natural one. In the twenty 

 years I have cultivated pears I have rarely lost a tree, and have 

 never lost a Barllell. 



Mr. PiuxcE. I have no doubt that protection is very valuable to 

 keep the fruit from blowing off. 



President Gilbert. I understand that Mr. Goodale, having had 

 large experience in testing various kinds of pears, and large op- 

 portunities for observation, and having had much to say about 

 protection, was travelling through Turner and visited Mr. Ricker's 

 orchard. Many of you are familiar with this orchard, and know 

 that he is very successful in growing pears. The trees are per- 

 fectly hardy, as much so as apple trees, or even the rock-maples 

 by the side of the road. The pear orchard is on a high hill, with 

 a northwest inclination, and takes the wind, with no obstruction, 

 direct from the White Mountains. The question was asked of 

 Mr. Goodale — " What do you think now about protection for the 

 pear?" "Well," said he, "they will grow without it, won't 

 they ? " So we find that while protection may be of some advan- 

 tage, and of course it is in regard to the wind, it is not necessary 

 to keep trees from winter killing. 



Mr. IIersey. I think I never lost a tree from the cold of win- 

 ter; the chief advantage of protection is to guard against the 

 wind. I would like to say that I have found the Kostiezer, for an 

 early pear, an excellent one. It is a scraggly grower, but I think 

 fully equal to the Seckel, and safer than that is. I think it should 

 be higlily recommended. I have also found the Belle Lucrative a 

 very nice pear. 



Mr. McLaughlin'. The great objection to the Belle Lucrative 

 is its color — it won't sell — and the exceeding trouble of getting 

 them. As was said of the Bartlett, there is only one day that it 

 is fit for eating. 



