STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 115 



In reference to the matter of protection, my impression is that 

 Mr, Prince will find the explanation of the loss of his trees by the 

 side of the fence to be, that they were so near that the radiation 

 from the fence caused the trees to put forth more rapidly than was 

 natural, and' that they were lost in consequence of it. In riding 

 over this section of the country, I have observed that the best or- 

 chards are those situated on high hills, where it would be supposed 

 that it was so bleak that hardly anything would grow. 



Pear culture is a new business with us, but it seems to me from 

 what experience I have had, that we can make it a profitable busi- 

 ness, and that there are varieties which are not only hardy and 

 good bearers, but which will command a high price in the market. 

 I have in ray garden eight or ten varieties (I have been unfortunate 

 enough to lose their names), which, I judge, might be raised any- 

 where, and would be a valuable addition to the agricultural inter- 

 est. 



President Gilbert. In conducting these discussions it seems 

 well to fix upon some 'definite points. We have gone over the 

 ground, and three points have come up which, it seems to me, it 

 would be well to give the opinion of the Society upon, viz : 



1st. Can pear culture in Maine be recommended by the Society? 

 Let us settle that point, and if answered affirmatively, then let us 

 consider — 



2d. What are the requirements of locality and soil ? And 



3d, -The incidental and less important points in regard to the 

 Flemish Beauty, 



Now as to the first point — Can pear culture in Maine be recom- 

 mended by the Society ? 



Friend Taylor. I would say that according to my knowledge 

 and practice in the cultivation of the pear it may be as successful 

 as apple culture. I have had fully as good success in the growing 

 of pear trees as of apple trees. I have lost, of course, some of 

 each, but with me the raising of pears is a sort of haphazard mat- 

 ter. I do not engage in it on systematic or scientific principles. 

 For the last fifteen years I have planted pear trees, and had as 

 good success in raising pears as apples. I would recommend the 

 culture of pears for this vicinity — perhaps not as largely as apples 

 are cultivated, but in sufficient quantities for the supply of the 

 market. To be sure in more genial climates they raise pears for 

 the city markets better than we can, but two years ago I was in 

 Ohio, and I noticed that most of the pear trees which I saw there 



