AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 309 



Distance of articular surface from extreme upper 



point, 2| « 



Distance of posterior nerve foramen from angle, 3j " 



From articular surface, 4 " 



From extreme upper and posterior point, 5^ " 



PRUNING PEAR TREES. 



The regular order of business being called for, the subject of 

 Pruning Pear Trees came up for discussion. 



The Chairman said he had found that to thin the blossoms of 

 the pear tree, as had been recommended by eminent pomologists, 

 ■vvas not a good method. No knowing which blossoms would be 

 fruitful and which prolific, which would be subject to fly and 

 maggot and which would produce sound fruit; by thinning the 

 blossoms they were almost sure to destroy Avhat would produce 

 the best part of the crop. Whereas, by allowing the tree to re- 

 main untouched until the fruit was half grown, nature would rid 

 herself of the superabundant fruit; the worm-eaten ones would 

 be sure to fall first. He had allowed his Bartlett's "Dutchess 

 Pears" to continue in this way, with good results. When the fruit 

 becomes so close as to dangle together so as to bruise each other, 

 his plan was to take away sufficient, when about half-grown, to 

 leave every pear intended fur mature growth perfectly free and 

 not liable to be touched by any other. Those he gathered at this 

 period would ripen if placed on shelves, while those which were 

 left on the trees would attain to full maturity. He would not 

 recommend the grafling of the Bartlett pear on to the quince 

 stock. It should be grafted on pear stock. It will not assimi- 

 late with the quince. 



Prof. Mapes spoke approvingly of the remarks of the Chairman, 

 and entered into a description of his method of planting pears, 

 wiiich our limits will not allow us to insert. 



NEW WHEAT. 



The Chairman exhibited an excellent specimen of new Medi- 

 terranean bearded wheat, grown on Long Island, of which he has 

 an excellent crop. It is nearly " white for the harvest," and he 

 will lose no time in gathering it in. 



The conversation then turned on the pruning of pear trees, and 

 the best method of determining the quantity and kind of blossom 

 to be removed. 



Prof Mapes said that when pears are growing, those that touch 

 might advantageously be removed. 



