CHINESE SAND PEAES. 



151 



dessert pears and impregnating with it the blossoms of the 

 healthy, hardy Eastern sorts. 



Trees grown from the seeds of pears thus impregnated have 

 retained the same degree of health and vigor and freedom from 

 disease that belonged to the mother tree, while the fruit they 

 bear is as large, handsome and delicious as that of the home 

 variety, w^hich was selected to be the male parent, which is 

 usually the Bartlett. 



And of such excellent keeping qualities are these newly 

 created pears that they may be, and have been, shipped to Europe 

 as freely and successfully as apples. 



This race of blight-proof pears is one of remarkably rapid 

 grov/th and intense thrift and vigor. The trees grow readily 

 from cuttings, and if well cared for, will bear in three years from 

 the date of rooting. 



Their value is greatly enhanced by their power of adapta- 

 tion to circumstances, for they will thrive on sandy soil, or in 

 clay, in dry lands, or in moister situations ; although they 

 should never be planted in places more than moist — wet. They 

 like a rich soil, and respond generously to liberal feeding. As 

 all pear trees need a good supply of water when fruiting, they 

 should be heavily mulched during this period, if set out on 

 lands subject to drought. 



All the sand pears are naturally symmetrical in shape, and 

 very ornamental, needing little pruning, save the removal of 

 dead branches from time to time. 



That the Chinese race of pears is destined to become one 

 of the staple productions of Florida, as it is already of Georgia, 

 we have no doubt. It has only been three or four years since 

 this fruit first began to attract the attention of Florida fruit 

 growers, and already groves of five to twenty aero orchards of 

 Le Conte pears are being planted here and there over the State by 

 far-seeing men, whose energy (and means) are equal to their faith 



From all parts of Florida reports are beginning to come 

 in of the successful fruiting of the few trial trees set out, and 

 before long pear orchards will be no uncommon sight. In some 

 localities they will rival the orange in number and importance. 



