712 TnANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



lowness and richness, which can often be obtained by the cliaracter and quan- 

 tity of the manure. We would make it deep, for the extension of the roots ; 

 rich, that the tree may have food enough ; mellow that it may readily find 

 and appropriate the food within its reach, and dry to prevent injury from stag- 

 nant water, as well as to guard against disaster from the frosts of winter. 

 Very few soils are to be found in our country, more especially on the Atlantic ■ 

 slope, that will not be benefited by rich manuring, and I have yet to learn 

 that its most liberal use -will injure the pear tree if tlie climate be favorable 

 to its growth. Unlike man it never gormandizes, but like the grazing herd it 

 feeds upon the rich pastures, and appropriates them simply for the supply of 

 its wants. The latter when it has done this lies down and chews its cud ; the 

 former having attained more speedily its requisite development, enters upon 

 its fruit bearing state. The vigor Avhich has characterized its career of develop- 

 ment, and now proclaims its condition of perfect health, will most abundantly 

 reward the possessor with even its first fi'uits, beautiful and luscious, years 

 before the neglected one has entered upon its work. And, moreover, there 

 are conditions that often obtain, some the result of the operation of laws that 

 arc altogether unknown to us, others that spring from climatic influences, con- 

 stituting a class of causes altogether beyond our control, crossing the pathway 

 even of the most intelligent orchardist, deranging the beautiful harmonies of 

 nature. Trees with a vigor of constitution from being well cared for will 

 resist these untoward influences, while the half fed, sickly and enfeebled 

 young tree, as well as the decrepid old, will fall a prey to the diseases depen- 

 dent upon such conditions. 



And again the sterile soil is not only unfavorable to the culture of the pear 

 in the diminution of the quantity of the crop, equally marked is its influence 

 upon the quality, giving us decided deterioration in its character. Indeed, 

 were we pennitteil to ascribe to an}' one cause the wonderful changes wrought 

 in the character of our fruits, particularly of the pear and peach with us, in 

 contrast with the pear of the Romans, and the peach of the Persians, we 

 should be inclined to name that of cultivation. The florist doubles the size of 

 the flower, heightens its color, and in some instances makes the single one 

 double, by cultivation. Why may not we as justly ascribe to this cause the 

 radical change v/rought in the fruit bearing plant, almost insensibly effected, 

 generation after generation, until the forced change has become constitutional 

 habit. The writers of the earliest lloman period have not failed to describe 

 to us the pear as it then was. Virgil and Cato were both pear growers, and 

 as the llomans were well acquainted with the art of grafting, probably 

 exchanged grafts of their new varieties, as we do now-a-days. According to 

 their own account their pears were scarcely to be tolerated without cooking. 

 Pliny we know highly commended certain varieties, particularly lauding the 

 Costumine for its good qualities. He may possibly have over estimated it, as 

 we are apt to do new varieties in our day. We know he commended the Faler- 

 nian for its juices having nothing better to say of it, just as we do the Vicar 

 of Winkfield, when we say it is admirable for cooking. In learning their 

 opinions of the pear from their writings, I have been struck with one custom 

 which we have copied ; they called their pears after their own names. Instance 

 the Tiberian after the Emperor Tiberius, as we have named the Ilovey, tlio 

 Gushing, the Dix, the Dearborn, the Bloodgood and even the Bartlett. The 



