SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
219 
C. M. Hqvet, one of the most intelligent and suc- 
cessful Pear growers in America, thus gives in his experi- 
ence on Dwarf Pears : 
THE CULTURE OF DWARF PEARS. 
The culture of Dwarf Pears, or Pears Tipon the Quince, 
has rapidly increased during the last ten years, so that, at 
the p esent moment, there are but few cultivators who at- 
tempt to raise this delicious fruit who have not more or 
less Dwarf Pears in their gareens. Indeed, we think we 
may safely state that the number of Dwarf Pears planted 
in the above-named period is at least quadruple, if not ten 
times as large, as the number set out upon the pear stock. 
This has resulted from various causes, but principally 
from the following reasons : 
1st, Dwarf Pears are more easily raised than standards, 
and therefore can be purchased cheaper from the nurser- 
ies, 
2nd. They transplant with much greater facility, and 
with the utmost certainty of living, 
3rd. They come into bearing immediately, and continue 
to produce annual crops, 
4th. They may be cultivated in small gardens, either as 
dwarfs, pyramids or bushes, occupying but little space, 
where standards would be highly objectionable on ac- 
count of their size and shade. 
5th, The facility of thinning and gathering the fruit, 
and the less danger of its being blown from the tree by 
our high autumnal winds, 
6th. The ease with which the trees may be pruned and 
managed, without the aid of long ladders. 
7th, Their very great productiveness. 
8th. Their ornamental character when planted on the 
borders of avenues, or in squares by themselves. 
These would seem to be abundant reasons why dwarf 
Pears should be extensively planted by all who love this 
delicious fruit, and expect to eat it within a reasonable 
length of time. 
We have already remarked that nearly if not quite all 
that has been written against dwarf pear culture, in this 
country, is mere speculation— mere talk — an attempt of 
the writers to figure as experienced cultivators, while they 
have never understood, or, if they did understand, never 
aftempted their growth in a skillful and proper manner. 
They admit this. Having been unsuccessful themselves, 
they would deny success everywhere, were it not that 
they are compelled by the facts themselves, which cannot 
be gainsayed, to admit that dwarf pears really “do flour- 
ish in certain localities,” as if the pear, capricious as all 
know it to be, was so harlequin in its character as not to 
succeed under proper treatment throughout the greater 
portion of the temperate zone, or wherever any of the 
hardy fruits yield a crop. This is certainly a great argu- 
ment for writers who have attempted to enlighten the 
public on Pear Culture to adopt. It might do for some, 
but not for those who have been so forward to give their 
opinions. If Mr. Allen were to tell us anything about 
stock, we should all know what value to place upon the 
information ; but when he undertakes to talk to us about 
pear culture, especially dwarf pears, he is oirt of his ele- 
ment, and his advice has no more practical value than 
that of other inexperienced but well-meaning cultivators, 
who have accidentally discovered — what hundreds of 
practical men have .devoted their whole lives to learn — the 
complete process of cultivation. 
We had supposed intelligent pomologists, conversant 
with the cultivation of the pear for more than two hun- 
dred years through the writings of eminent practical men 
in France, where the quince has so long been used as a 
stock for the pear, gave little heed to all that has been 
written against dwarf trees, knowing that mere assertion 
is one thing, and facts, as adduced from history and con- 
firmed after long years of practical experienced, another. 
So much have we believed this, that we have not thought 
it necessary to assert, again and again, what we have 
already stated. To the practical man there is no need of 
this, but with the young and inexperienced, who form 
the greater part of the cultivators of this country, this is not 
the case. They do not see through the sophistry of the 
arguments of the opponents of dwarf pear culture, and 
not knowing how well able theese writers are to maintain 
their opinions by actual experience, they obtain ideas 
which would be of inconceivable injury, and perhaps 
prevent the realization of much of the enjoyment which 
pear culture affords to those who begin aright, and are 
willing to learn from those who have the knowledge to 
teach. Butforthiswe should be willing to let all that 
has been said against dw.arf pear culture pass as unworthy 
the attention of practical men. 
But the phases of the question under discussion are so 
varied from time to time that it it is difficult to meet them. 
We are willing to acknowledge that the great chamption 
of the iDpposition invited our cultivators to consider the 
simple question, “Can Pears be profitable grown for mar- 
ket V’ Simple enough, truly, and one should like to see 
answered; but what was the argument I Why, this, 
that a distinguished cultivator in Western New York 
planted out, ten years ago, five hundred dwarf pear trees, 
and they “had entirely failed,” and “twenty or thirty 
neighbors,” as well as “scores of pear growers” in that 
section, had no better success. This was the argument 
to show "ihat pears could not be profitably grown for 
market. 
And now we would ask, has the time yet come when 
we can ask and expect to receive a satisfactory answer to 
the question, “Can pears be profitably grown for the 
market I” We think not. Oar readers all know that we 
entirely disagree with many writers who have maintain- 
ed that they could be cultivated “with the expectation of 
a large income.” We have only to refer to our article in 
our last volume (XXIV, p 441) in proof of this. The 
profit of pear culture is one thing — the successful cultiva- 
tion of dwarf pears another. Let us keep|them distinct. 
Both pine apples and grapes are grown in greater perfec- 
tion under artificial culture than they can be found any- 
where without it. This fact no one doubts. The profits 
of the attempts to accomplish it is another question. So 
of pears. There are plenty of excellent varieties which 
may be grown to as great a profit as any other fruit ; but 
when these writers talk about contracts to ftirnish half a 
dozen barrels of Easter Beurres, they only expose their 
ignorance the more fully, for such pears don’t grow, 
either on pear or quince, without cultivation, and that of 
the highest kind. 
Let us look a moment to the condition of pear culture 
in France and England, standards being the rule in the 
latter country and the exception in the former. Accord- 
ing to accurate tables, ascertained by authority by M. 
Husson, and published in the Revue Horiicole in 1856, 
the consumption of pears in Paris, in 1853, was one hun- 
dred and ninety-pounds (190 lbs.) per head; while in 
London, as ascertained upon the authority of Brathwaite 
Poole, the consumption was only eight pounds (8 lbs.) 
per head, showing that every man, woman and child in 
Paris comsumed nearly twenty-five times as many pears 
as those in London. Now we know that the climate of 
France is more favorable to the pear than that of England ; 
yet, according to good authority, there are many varieties 
which flourish perfectly in England and produce abun- 
dantly. This, therefore, cannot make so great a differ- 
ence. We must look elsewhere for the cause. It may be 
said the Londoners do not love pears so well as the 
Parisians. Perhaps it is so. But we think if the supply 
was offered to the former they would soon become con- 
