12 
A, C. GRIESA & BRO., LftWRENCE, KANSAS. 
Pears. 
The cultivation of this noble fruit is rapidly increasing as its value is appre- 
ciated. The range of varieties is such that, like apples, they can be had in good 
eating condition from August until early spring. The melting, juicy texture, the 
refined flavor and the delicate aroma of the Pear give it rank above all other fruits 
except the grape. But the Pear, like most things highly desirable and valuable, can- 
not be had without attention, labor and skill. The relative prices of the apple and 
Pear being about as one to ten, show at the same time the superior value of the 
latter, and the greater skill required to bring it to perfection. 
There seems to be but one drawback to the profitable cultivation of the Pear, 
either as Standard or Dwarf, and that is the “blight,” which brings ruin to so many 
trees, and for which there is no known remedy. But Pear trees do not all blight, as 
we can well testify when we visit any fruit market in their season. The good price 
of Pears, the productive habit of the trees, their comparative freedom from other 
diseases and from insect enemies, make this a desirable fruit to plant in a moderate 
way for market ; and the high quality, and many ways in which it can be used to 
pleasure and profit, make the planting of a liberal supply for home use scarcely less 
than a necessity. Standard trees are budded or grafted on seedling Pear roots ; 
Dwarf trees are budded on Angers quince roots. 
Standard Pears should be planted 20 to 25 feet apart. They will grow on almost 
any soil, provided the subsoil is not too wet. Whenever this is the case the ground 
should be thoroughly under-di'ained. In a very poor soil, a moderate top-dressing of 
manure in the fall will be of advantage. When a tree is assailed by the blight, cut 
off the part affected several inches below all appearance of the disease. 
Dwarf Pears should be planted 8 or 10 feet apart. At the time of planting, and 
every spring thereafter, they should be thoroughly 
pruned, shortening in the current year’s growth 
about one-half, aiming to form a round and well-pro- 
portioned head. The ground should be well cultivated 
and enriched by a top-dressing of 
manure in the autumn, and well 
mulched in the spring. Pears 
grown on standards or dwarfs 
should never be allowed to ripen 
on the tree. 
Gathering Pears. In order to 
retain the juice and best flavor, 
summer Pears should be gathered 
at least ten days before they are 
ripe, and autumn Pears at least 
two weeks before ; winter varie- 
ties as soon as the leaves begin to 
drop. 
Thinning the fruit. When the 
trees are heavily laden the fruit 
should be thinned when about 
one-third grown, else the fruit 
will be poor and the trees in- 
jured. 
The letters “S.” and “D.,”^ 
used in the descriptions of varie- 
ties, indicate favorable growth 
either as “Standards” or 
“ Dwarfs,” or both. Those des- 
ignated as “moderate growers” 
are usually smaller trees. 
Vermont Beauty. (See page 14.) 
Bartlett, S. and D. An old 
favorite, more generally known 
and highly esteemed than any 
“It is not Blrtli, nor Rank, nor State: 
