106 The Western Pomologist and Gardener. 1872 



judgment than that of IVwarf Pears. And in this, as in other farm operations, the 

 results of accidental- causes sometimes prove to be of no inconsiderable consequence and 

 value. A point of considerable importance was discovered in that way. 



It occurred in the experience of Hon. E. H. Hyde, of Stafford, Vice-President of the 

 Connecticut State Board of Agriculture. Mr. Hyde had planted a number of dwarf 

 trees, and thinking to unite the rustic ornamental with the useful, set small evergreen 

 trees forming a circular inclosure of some twenty feet diameter, interspersing the ever- 

 greens with dwarf pears at proper intervals, thinking that by shortening the evergreens 

 and forming a hedge, his pear trees could produce sufficient growth above the hedge, and 

 thus present a novel appearance. But like many other plans, in consequence of the press 

 of other duties, were not fuUj' executed, and as would be expected, in a short time with 

 no heading back, the evergreens soon outstripped the pear trees and partially hid them 

 from view, some of the evergrAns being twenty or more feet in height. At the same 

 time the pear trees were as perfectly neglected as the evergreens, and were left to grow 

 at pleasure. 



Now for the result. — While many other trees in the immediate vicinity of the ever- 

 green enclosure were in bearing, for some cause the fruit was thin, and also of poor qual- 

 ity, and very irregular in bearing; those "among the trees" almost invariably bore, and 

 at the same time produced fruit of far superior quality. Nor is this an exception and 

 only one particular case, inasmuch as other parties have had similar experience, and have 

 found that where pear trees are grown among evergreen trees, the results are much bet- 

 ter than where planted in the usual manner. The question very naturally arises, why is 

 this result produced ? In the case of Mr. Hyde's trees, they grew so compactly as to 

 entirely prevent the growth of any grass, to the distance of the spread of the branches, 

 and the foliage as it fell acts as a mulch, to the degree that the whole inclosure within the 

 circle was thoroughly mulched, and was as light as it could be possible for any soil to be. 

 Whether this alone is the cause of the increased crop, or whether the decayed leaves 

 from the evergreen trees possess some peculiar property especially adapted to the pro- 

 duction of the fruit of the pear, remains to be observed and proved. At the same time, 

 if the evidence is sufficient to prove the fact of the importance of interspersing ever- 

 green trees among pear trees for a protection, it is a comparatively easy matter, nor 

 ■would the pear trees require setting at greater distances apart, since it would appear that 

 the more thorough the protection the more sure the results. 



One thing is certain, that the subject is of sufficient importance to warrant a series of 

 experiments in the case. And since to grow standard pears to any great extent, requires 

 about the time in which one generation lives, while this luscious fruit can easily be 

 grown upon dwarf stocks in a very few years, it is a duty resting upon every person 

 engaged in any way in its culture to institute all the exp(iriments possible, that the fund 

 of reliable information may be greatly increased, and mankind at large greatly benefitted. 



Cut Flowers. — Effective Aeeangements. — The first thing to be considered in 

 arranging cut flowers, is the vase. If it is scarlet, blue, or many-colored, it must neces- 

 sarily conflict with some hue in your boquet. Choose rather pure white, green, or trans- 

 parent glass, which allows the delicate stems to be seen. Brown Swi.ss-wood, silver, 

 bronze or yellow straw conflict with nothing. The vase must be subordinate to what it 

 holds. A bowl for roses. Tail-spreading vases for gladiolus, fern, white Hlies, and the 

 like. Cups for violets and tiny wood flowers. Baskets for vines and gay garden blos- 

 soms. A flower-lover will in time collect shapes and sizes to suit each group. Colors 

 should be blended together with neutral tints, of which there are abundance — whites, 

 grays, purples, tender greens — and which harmonize the pink, crimsons, and brilliant red 

 into soft unison. The water should be warm for a winter vase — cool, but not iced, for a 

 summer one. A little salt or a bit of charcoal should be added in hot weather, to obviate 

 vegetable decay, and the vase filled anew each morning. With these precautions your 

 flowers, if set beside an open window at night, will keep their freshness for many hours 

 even in July, and reward by their beautiful presence the kind hand which arranged and 

 tended them. — Scrihner's MontUy. 



