THE POME FRUITS 



121 



approximately in order of ripening, are: Clapp Favorite, Bartlett, Seckel, 

 Sheldon, Anjou, Angouleme, Kieffer, Lawrence and Winter Nelis. In the 

 West, the same varieties are used, excepting the Kieffer, and with the addi- 

 tion of Flemish, Cornice and Easter Beurre. In the South the three hybrids 

 mentioned above are about all that have shown any profit. Very few varie- 

 ties will succeed on the rich soils of the Mississippi Valley, but the LaMotte, 

 Seckel, Dwarf Angouleme and Kieffer are most likely to succeed. It is 

 always best to use more than one variety and to mix them somewhat in the 

 planting, in order to insure satisfactory pollination. Further advice can 



GOOD SPECIMENS OF WINTER NELIS. 

 The fruit, however, appears more nearly round here than it really is. 



be secured from local and state sources, and from Farmers' Bulletin 208 

 of the U. S. Department of Agriculture. 



Location, Soil and Culture. Since blight is its worst enemy, the pear 

 orchard should be located where the trees will not grow too rapidly. A 

 fairly high and airy situation, with a well-drained and moderately fertile, 

 clay or clay-loam soil, is therefore most desirable. For the same reason 

 the amount of tillage and fertilization should be kept low or be eliminated 

 entirely if the blighting becomes severe. The mulching method is often 

 used with especial success on the pear, if not applied too heavily. 



Trees, Planting and Pruning. These are largely'the same as described 

 above for the apple. Pears, however, are planted closer. A distance of 



