138 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



White Doyenne — I mention this old pear, not to recommend it but 

 to suggest that it be tried in Nebraska soil. It was once the queen 

 of all pears but is now discarded on account of cracking. The tree 

 is a good grower and great bearer and the fruit is medium in size 

 and very handsome. For delicate flavor when in perfection noth- 

 ing can surpass it. Being discouraged with it on account of the 

 cracking, I double worked it with Clargeau. Now for two or three 

 years the trees that were left unworked do not seem to crack much. 



Nebraska Soil — Nothing can be certainly known of soil till tried, 

 but from one fact I have observed in this country I should think this a 

 good soil for pears. It is well known that a wet soil, or a soil very 

 retentive of water, is very bad for the pear. On the contrary I notice 

 that the soil here dries up quickly. After a heavy rain here the 

 streets are dry in a few hours. There is scarcely any place in Ohio 

 where unpaved streets in such a town as Crete would not be impassa- 

 ble in a very short time. But here the streets are not paved and yet 

 the mud is of little consequence. Now it is a well established opinion 

 that the pear is particularly impatient of much moisture, or as the old 

 writers used to say, of a wet foot. As to the varieties that should be 

 planted here I am not competent to decide, but from my observation I 

 would plant very much in the order above named, and would plant 

 but few varieties. As to an experimental station, it is good as far as 

 it goes, but we need reports from many parts of the country and for 

 many years in succession. If I was asked for the greatest hindrance 

 to the pear culture I should say ignorance and impatience. Any man 

 that will plant two for every one that dies will certainly be success- 

 ful in having plenty of this delicious fruit. 



DISCUSSION. 



Stephens — Is there anything in the use of salt? 



Creighton — I have never used anything of the sort, nor any 

 manure. 



The President — I would ask Mr. Stephens how his pear trees 

 are doing. 



Stephens — The Longworth has never blighted, have had it five 

 or six years and it does not show any signs of the disease. The Early 

 Harvest has fruited with us. Seckel is a very promising variety. 

 Keiifer good. The Flemish Beauty is blighting some. We manured 



