THE PEARS OF NEW YORK IO! 
or self-fertile, are more fruitful and produce better fruit with foreign pollen 
than with their own. To old pear-growers, this seems to be putting it 
rather strong, but the statements come from accurate experimenters and 
observers and should have consideration. Cross-pollination, be it remem- 
bered, is not a cure-all for failures to set fruit. Unseasonable weather, 
lack of vitality in trees, various fungi, and no doubt other agencies, may 
be the cause of unfruitfulness. 
As to commercial varieties, the tale is soon told. Only a half-dozen 
sorts are generally planted in New York orchards. These, about in order 
of importance, are: Bartlett, Kieffer, Seckel, Beurré Bosc, Beurré d’Anjou, 
and Winter Nelis. To this short list may be added the following grown 
more or less for local markets: Clapp Favorite, Sheldon, Beurré Clairgeau, 
Lawrence, Howell, Tyson, and Mount Vernon. A list for the home orchard 
should include all of these and many more to be chosen from the major 
varieties described in Chapter IV. The pear flora of the country changes 
very slowly, and there are now almost no new sorts on general probation 
in the country. 
Perhaps with no other tree-fruits is it more important to begin with 
good trees, as even with the best it is often difficult to get a good start 
toward a pear-orchard. Black-heart, caused by winter-killing, is a sign 
that must be heeded, and a tree badly blackened in its pith, especially if 
the surrounding wood is discolored, should be discarded. Crown-gall on 
tap roots affects the tree deleteriously. Trees marked by hail or 
insects are often worthless. Other marks that commend or condemn trees 
are: A short stocky plant is better than a tall spindling one. A tree 
with many branches is better than one with few branches. The roots 
should be much branched rather than sparsely branched. A tree with 
smooth, bright bark is better than one with rough, dull bark. Both trunk 
and branches should be plump and show no signs of shrivelling. A poor 
pear-tree in the nursery seldom makes a good tree in the orchard. There 
is great variation in varieties as the trees come from the nursery, a fact to 
be considered. In New York, two-year-old trees are best. 
A good deal of the success that attends the culture of the pear depends 
on properly setting the young trees and the right care of the young plants. 
It is superfluous to discuss these operations in detail, but a statement as 
to proper setting and care will serve as reminders. In this State, pear- 
trees should always be set in the spring. A young pear-tree should be set 
in the soil about as deep as it stood in the nursery; in light soils the roots 
