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which are of a more tender habit, by this practice breeding into the pear tree an 

 inhei-ent tendency to shortness of life. The continued process of engra,fting and 

 forcing by high cultivation and also growing in an impoverished soil — each and all 

 may exert some influence in the direction of degeneracy ; and it is certainly evident 

 that the trees are everywhere tending to earlier fruitage and shorter life. 



The almost universal practice of propagating desirable sorts by engrafting or 

 budding has undoubtedly the effect of gradually, but surely, working a serious 

 injury to some fruit-bearing trees. The tendency of continuously planting the seeds 

 of improved sorts is very much the same as what is called in cattlemen's parlance 

 " in-and-in breeding," which, if long continued in a given line, is a sure and constant 

 cause of degeneration or running out. 



Now, if the tree from any cause is losing its natural stamina and force, or 

 becomes defective or diseased, the weakening of its natural functions very soon be- 

 comes manifest in the fruit. The St. Michael, in its day the glory of the pears, has 

 now become wholly unworthy of cultivation. Sometimes it seems to recuperate in 

 new countries and thrives for a time in a virgin soil, but soon lelapses into its now 

 normal condition. The Flemish Beauty affords another illustration of degenerating 

 tendencj'. It was first brought into notice in 1834, and promised well for many 

 years, but has now become unworthy of continued cultivation. 



In the catalogue of trees grown in the nursery of the late William Kenrick in 

 the year 1838 (he being then one of the prominent nurserymen in Massachusetts), 

 I find, in the class termed "Old Pears," twelve sorts, of which not one has been 

 shown on this society's tables for years. In class second, termed "Ifew Pears," I 

 find eighty-seven, of which Seventeen varieties only are seen at oui- exhibitions, and 

 but four of these are generally approved, viz., the Bartlett, Bosc, Seckel and 

 Angouleme, and the rest are onl}' occasionally shown. In the list of new pears 

 received in this country from Europe in the years 1834 to 1836, consisting of a 

 hundred and forty varieties, which have been tried by our cultivators and (most of 

 them) shown on our tables within the past forty years, I find but two that are now 

 considered worthy of cultivation ; and Mr. Kenrick mentions a hundred other sorts 

 received but not tried. 



In the catalogue of the late William Prince, of Flushing, N.Y., foi- the year 

 1839, designating by name three hundred and thirty-seven varieties, I find but 

 thirteen varieties that are seen on our tables. Then we are made aware of the verj- 

 numerous sorts of pears which were being brought into notice forty or fifty years 

 ago — more than three hundred and fifty varieties — Out of which less than twenty 

 are on our premium list for the present j'ear, and the nther three hundred and thirty 

 have practically gone out of cultivation. In the meantime, very many moi'o sorts 

 have been introduced, in large part seedlings of American origin ; and out of this 

 vast number twentj'-five varieties would be quite as many as are worthy approval 

 and encouragement. 



Now, it would be unfair to state that this very large number found unworthy 

 of cultivation have degenerated ; doubtless many causes contributed to influence 

 their rejection. Some were found poor growers; the fruit in many cases lacked the 

 qualities essential in good pears; some seemed naturally predisposed to blight and 

 other disease; and many seemed unsuited to the soil and climate. 



But it appears, although diflScult to pi'ove, in the case of some sorts once highly 

 esteemed for genej'al cultivation, but now become degenerate, that the tree has 

 already lived the time allotted by nature, and its production of fruit in its enfeebled 

 condition is prolonged only by nursing or by engrafting on other and vigorous stocks. 

 This suggestion opens quite another phase of the question, viz.: To what extent can 

 fruitage be prolonged by the process of engrafting or budding ? 



There was formerly an adage : "He who plants pears plants them for his heirs," 

 while now he who plants pears gathers a crop in a few years ; and the trees mature, 

 bear fruit and die, even before he passes away. But it can easily be demonstrated 

 that the natural lives of the original sorts of pear trees have been longer tban the 

 joint 01- aggregate lives of several generations of men ; and also that the product 



