PEAR-TREE. 



245 



by some supposed to be fire-blight, but by others attributed 

 to an insect called Scolytus pyri. During the months of June 

 and July, the extreme branches turn black, as if scorched* 

 The disorder extends downwards to the larger limbs, and 

 continues to increase, till, in some instances, the tree is en- 

 tirely destroyed. It is sometimes so rapid in its progress, 

 that, in a few hours from its first appearance, the whole tree 

 will appear to be mortally diseased, and all its foliage withered 

 or withering. A writer in the New England Farmer^ vol. 

 ii. p. 42, says, that, on the first appearance, of this disease, 

 " I instantly sawed off all the limbs affected, and proceeded 

 to examine them. I found at last the enemy, not at the 

 point vTbere death ensued, but some inches below it. The 

 insect was very small, and apparently incapable of such ex- 

 tensive mischief, but the effect was certain, and the manner 

 of producing that effect was obvious. It had eaten a com- 

 plete circle of the alburnum, or sap wood, not exceeding the 

 size of a knitting needle, so as completely to intercept the 

 passage of the sap." This insect die wTiter exhibited to 

 Professor Peck, whence arose his account of it, first pub- 

 lished in the Mass, Agr, Repos.^ and republished, together 

 with a cut of the insect, in the N. E. Farmer^ vol. v. p. 

 2. The late Professor Peck observed, that the mischievous 

 effects of this minute insect may be observed in June and 

 July, and that the dead part of the branches should be cut 

 off', and burnt without delay. The writer above referred 

 to says, that, by steadily pursuing the system of cutting off" 

 the limbs many inches below the apparent injury, and burn- 

 ing them, the insects have been extirpated from his estate. 



Some writers attribute the sudden decay of the pear- 

 tree to the overpowering rays of the sun. Others say that 

 a warm winter sets the sap in motion, which a cold spring 

 arrests, and causes it to stagnate and become corrupt in the 

 pores of the alburnum. Others are of opinion that manur- 

 ing too high, and pruning too much, causes the tree to die 

 of a plethora or surfeit. The remedy, however, is not a 

 subject of so much dispute. In all cases of blight, the 

 only cure or palliation of the disorder is found in sawing off 

 the affected branches, some inches below where the blight 

 appears. 



Use. — " As a dessert fruit the pear is much esteemed, 

 and generally preferred to the apple. It is also used for 

 baking, compotes, marmalade, &c. Pared and dried in the 

 oven, the fruit will keep several years, either with, or with- 

 out sugar. This mode of preparing the pear is about as 

 21* 



