248 Transactions of the American Institute. 



garden and flower seeds, or strawberry plants in a quantity for dis- 

 tribution among the destitute wliites and blacks who cannot readily 

 obtain garden seeds. Let them send me a good-sized package of 

 seeds, and I will send a good package of air plants, and post paid. 



Adjourned. 



August 13, 1867. 



Mr. Nathak 0. Ely, in the chair. Mr. John W. Chambbbs, Secretary. 



PLANTING DWARF PEAR TREES. 



Mr. Wm. A. Ellsworth, Salem, N. J., inquired as to the best 

 time for planting dwarf pears, the variety most esteemed, and the 

 time at which standard pears come into bearing. 



Mr. John Crane. — Of late years, the fall season is the best, and 

 we seem to have no spring months suitable for planting. I have 

 often known the month of March more favorable for planting than 

 April was this year. There is another thing — one can always buy 

 the best trees in the fall. In fall planting, the trees need to be set 

 some deeper than in spring planting} at least, there should be 

 mounds of earth around the trees. 



Mr. Thomas Cavanach. — Fruit-growers disagree on this subject 

 more than on any other. In my experience I have lost many more 

 trees by fall than by spring planting. If trees are bought in the 

 fall, they should be heeled in deeply, not slightly, as is the prac- 

 tice with many; for, by so doing, many trees freeze and are lost. 

 Last spring we planted several hundred dwarf pears, about the 

 30th of Ma}-, and every one of them is alive. 



Mr. Wm. P. Peck. — Thousands have asked me when to plant 

 trees, but they neglect the much more important inquiry as to how 

 they shall plant them. If a tree is well planted and cared for, the 

 season will make little difference. 



Mr. Wm. Lawton. — Much allowance should be made for the 

 kind of trees, and in particular as to whether the roots are fibrous 

 or otherwiee. Pears on the Anglers quince have fibrous roots, and 

 they easily live. I am decidedly of the opinion the spring plant- 

 ing is best. 



Mr. John M. Crowell. — In New Jersey the soil is so favorable 

 that there will be no difficulty in planting in the spring. 



