120 STATE POMOLOaiCAL SOCIETY. 



man at my left says he lias doubts about the dwarf pear. There 

 are doubts about it. I have fouud that mine have not failed as 

 rapidly as I desired. I plant my standards at what will be the 

 proper distance for them when they are fully grown, and in each 

 of the spaces between the standards, a dwarf, with the expecta- 

 tion that the dwarf will die by the time the standard comes into 

 bearing. I think that is a good wa}'. I plant the standard trees 

 not as great a distance apart as the books recommend, which I 

 think is thirty feet. The dwarf trees will live as long as they are 

 wanted, and when the standard trees come into bearing they will 

 protect each other. When the standard trees are left at too great 

 a distance, the fruit is liable to be blown off by high winds. 



President Gilbert. We have proved quite conclusively from 

 the testimony presented, that a high locality may be recommended 

 for pear culture, and this of course covers the ground that a clay 

 soil is not absolutely essential to success, because in these high 

 locations in this county where pear culture has been successful, 

 the soil is of a granite nature — high, strong, granite soil. 



Mr. Flint. Yes, what we call a gravelly soil. 



President Gilbert. With regard to the cracking of the Flemish 

 Beauty, I think we have fixed a point. I think we have learned 

 enough to deter any man from attempting to grow it. It has been 

 extensively grown in the past and was perfectly hardy and reli- 

 able, but it is not so now, and it may be rejected and some other 

 variety adopted in its stead. Some sections still grow good 

 Flemish Beauties, but tliis defect has gradually grown upon it and 

 becomes more and more apparent as time goes on. I think these 

 points have been established and may be admitted as guides for 

 the future. 



On motion of Mr. Sawyer, Messrs. Ilersey and McLaughlin 

 were appointed a committee to consider and report to what extent 

 it is expedient for this Society to recommend the cultivation of the 

 pear in this State. 



WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. 

 The specimens of fruit presented for exhibition at this meeting 

 were placed upon the tables at the opening of the afternoon ses- 

 sion, and Messrs. Taylor and Smith were appointed a committee 

 to examine and report on the same. Their report will be fouud on 

 a subsequent page. 



