crmcrlogtral. 
PEARS AND PEAK OTTLTUEE: 
Essay Kami liafnra ilia PommyIvnnia Fruit 
tirower*’ .Society, Jmi. 1 9. 
BY E. SATTERTHW AITE. 
[Continued from page 108, Fab. 18.] 
Pear or Quiuce * Rooted Trees. 
An interesting question there occurs to 
me, which would seem to have an important 
bearing upon the relative merits of pear or 
quince-rooted trees; that is, whether there 
is an an vantage or otherwise in having the 
cultivated varieties of pears on their own 
roots, or on the roots of wihllings, us is the 
case with all standard trees as they come 
from Hie nursery. I am unable to throw 
any light on tills question, and it is one that 
I have never heard djscussed. There is at 
least one disadvantage In the wild stock, and 
that is its tendency to sucker, which is often 
troublesome. It might seem probable that 
the wild seedlings used for slocks would l»o 
more hardy and make more thrifty and 
longer-lived trees, but I do not know that 
there is anything In this; I have never yet 
observed any difference either in vigor or 
hardiness. I now come to consider the most 
important branch oj tny subject. 
The Selection of Varieties. 
Unfortunately, this question is as difficult 
as it is Important. So much has been al¬ 
ready said and written upon this question, 
that I should feel like skipping it altogether, 
if it was not that 1 believe that very many 
of the opinions pul forth have not been de- I 
lived from observation and experience suffi¬ 
cient for so difficult a question. It is very 
common to hear the most decided opinions 
urged on this subject, by those who have 
hail no experience worth mentioning. For 
my own part, 1 must confess that I feel that 
my experience is entirely too limited to 
speak upon it with much confidence. In 
considering this subject, it must lie borne in 
mind that varieties vary very much with 
soil and location, and from this cause alone 
it is impossible to lay down any positive 
rule. And then there are few locations 
where many of the numerous known varie¬ 
ties have, as yet, been fairly tested. From 
my own experience, extending over about a 
dozen years, and with some six hundred va¬ 
rieties, I have come to the conclusion that 
the most skilled and experienced have much 
yet to learn on this subject, and it seems to 
me that the proper course in treating of va¬ 
rieties, unless one has had more experience 
than 1 have, is to simply slate the results of 
their own observation with varieties that 
they have tested without recommending 
any. And this is what I propose to do. 
In giving my estimate of a variety, I con¬ 
fess that I am governed, to some extent, by 
its value as a market fruit. I don’t consider 
any apology necessary for Ibis; though I 
know that it is strongly objected to by some. 
I will say, however, that as it has always 
been my practice to attend, personally, to 
the selling of my own fruit in the market, I 
have had the best possible Opportunity of 
judging of the relative value of the different 
varieties for this purpose; and though I am 
aware that it is very distasteful to some to 
recommend a fruit because of its value as a 
salable commodity; yet, knowing that there 
arc many situated like myself, who follow 
fruit growing, in pari, for a livelihood, and 
who might be benefited by my experience. 
1 do not feel at liberty to withhold it. And 
it seems proper here to state what, in my 
opinion, are the 
Daaii-nble Pioiwii io* in n I*ca>- for n 
JMui-Uat Fruit. 
These arc good color, size and flavor, and, 
above all, it should keep well. 1 have placed 
color first, for without this, no fruit is of 
much value for market. A lumdsomely- 
colored pear, of medium quality, is much 
more valuable for market purposes than one 
of first quality, that has no beauty of color. 
Size is of great importance in estimating the 
value of a fruit for market, not only because 
large fruit sells better than small, but the 
time spent in handling small-sized fruit, is a 
serious drawback. There are many pears of 
first-rate quality, in other respects, that seem 
to rot the moment they are ripe; these are, 
of course, worthless for market purposes. 
There arc a few varieties of indisputable 
excellence that are so well known as to need 
no comments, anil are justly considered in¬ 
dispensable in every collection. These arc 
Bartlett, Seclcel, Lawrence, Duchesse d’An- 
gonlcme and Beurre d'Anjou; and since they 
cover the greater part of the pear season, anil 
are found to do well in most situations, the 
question will naturally he asked, why not 
stop here? since to multiply varieties unnec¬ 
essarily, only makes confusion and trouble. 
Mr. Quinn, in his “Pear Culture for Profit,” 
names these, anil one or two others, and 
argues strongly against increasing the num¬ 
ber of varieties. While I admit the force of 
the objection, I must contend that I have 
found advantages in having a much larger 
number, and this for several reasons. In the 
liisl place, we want early pears, ripening be- 
b- 
fore tbe Bartlett; and as summer pears las 
but a short time, it takes several varieties to 
(ill up the season. I do not agree with Mr, 
Quinn that early pears are of not much ac¬ 
count for market. This may be the case 
where they have to lie sent a long distance; 
but I have found a number of the earlier va¬ 
rieties quite profitable. The worst time to 
sell pears, I find, is just when Bari lei Is are 
In season, for it is then that peaches, melons, 
grapes and other fruits are most abundant. 
Another advantage in having a number of 
varieties is, that it seems to be the only 
way to insure a supply every year; for as 
the most productive are liable to fail, some 
seasons, by having only a few sorts you may 
miss a crop entirely. 
Another advantage I think 1 have gained 
by testing a great many sorts is, that I have 
discovered, by that means, several varieties 
not much known, that I think will prove 
more valuable to me than those usually re¬ 
commended. Besides all this, as “ variety 
is the spice of life,” there is a satisfaction in 
having a number of soi ls of different flavors 
to suit all tastes, lor there is as much differ¬ 
ence in the flavor of [rears as there is in 
i heir shape and appearance, no two being 
alike. 
Early Ports. 
I propose, now, to take up the list in the 
order of their ripening, commencing with 
the earliest, and treating first of the leading 
well known varieties. 
Doyenne d'Ete —Generally does well; color 
good, fair quality; productive, but small, 
and sometimes cracks. 
Madeline —Fair size and quality, produc¬ 
tive, colors tolerably well; rots too soon. 
Beurre Giffard —One of tlie finest of very 
early pears, colors splendidly, fine size, first- 
rate quality and productive; sometimes 
cracks badly. 
O riband's Summer —Does well; good color, 
fair quality, and productive. 
M> moving's Elizabeth — Rather small, but 
first-rat: in every other respect; very pro¬ 
ductive and profitable. 
Oil's Seedling —Variable, sometimes equal 
to See.kel; a splendid grower, small, but 
colors well. 
Dearborn's Seedling — Good color, lair 
quality and productive, but too small. 
Early Catharine —Valuable on account of 
its vigor, productiveness and good quality. 
Bostiezer— Productive, but of little value, 
on account of Us poor color anil tendency to 
rot. 
Bloodgood —Fair color, size and flavor; a 
poor grower. 
Julienne —Has proven one of the most 
valuable of early pears; a regular and good 
bearer, fair quality and size; colors most 
beautifully and keeps well for an early pear. 
I'yion —Fine size and color, ami of the 
very best quality, but a very poor bearer. 
Jurtland —Beautiful russet color, fair size 
and quality; a splendid grower, and pro¬ 
ductive. 
Of all of the above named, I have had a 
number of trees in bearing for several years, 
and will now mention a few others which 
promise well, ns far as can be judged from 
two or three trees of a kind. 
Pendleton's Early York —Very early, hand¬ 
some and good. 
Pulsiver —Fine color and size, handsome, 
productive and good. 
Jefferson —Large, handsome, fine quality. 
Muskingum— Fine color and size, hand¬ 
some, productive and good. 
Beurre Benoist — A most beautiful and 
good pear, medium size, would seem to be a 
valuable variety. 
Holland Green —Of little value for market 
on account of its poor color and small size, 
but of a remarkably high flavor and pro¬ 
ductive. 
Hull —Medium size and quality, fair color, 
very productive. 
Thu above all ripen before tbe first of 
September, and arc mostly gone before the 
market is glutted with peaches, melons and 
grapes, and on that account are more valu¬ 
able than they would be a few weeks later. 
-4~»~*- 
THE CHINESE QUINCE: 
Cydonia Cliineusis. 
Tins very singular species of the quince 
was introduced into Europe from China in 
1818. It was probably brought to this coun¬ 
try very soon thereafter, as we find it briefly ^ 
described in William Piunck’s “Short 
Treatise on Horticulture,’’ published in 1828, 
and four years ago the original or first tree 
of it, imported by Mr. Prince, was still 
growing nl ibe—rffl Linnean Nurseries, tit 
Flushing, N Y. But, we believe a new rail¬ 
road caused the destruction or removal of 
this noble old specimen, from which a large 
proportion of the Chinese quince trees in the 
country descended. As a fruit for culinary 
purposes this quince is of but little value, it 
being coarse and deficient in flavor; but for 
ornamental purposes, the tree should be far 
better known than it appeal's to be at the 
present time. 
The leaves are large, ovate, slightly point¬ 
ed at both ends; edges sharply serrate, upper 
surface smooth ami shining, and in autumn 
change to a bright reddish scarlet or crim¬ 
son. Flowers, large, rosy red. Fruit, very 
large, of the shape and size shown in our 
illustration, which was made from a speci¬ 
men received a few weeks since from Maj 
T. Kn.r, ingham, Easton, Mil,, through the 
commission house of Beeves, Brown & 
Van Winkle, 102 Center How, West Wash¬ 
ington Market, New York. 
The Chinese quince grows readily upon 
the common varieties. The best melhod of 
working is by budding upon young stocks in 
July or August. In a good rich soil, the 
trees will grow from fifteen to twenty feet 
high, and are very ornamental during the 
entire summer and autumn. 
-♦♦♦--- 
F0M0L0GI0AL GOSSIP. 
A Miunnioili llcllc Pear. 
II. P. Patterson, San Jose, Cal., writes 
ihe Rural New Yorker of a pear now 
kept on exhibition by L. Boss & Son, San 
Jose,raised by James I Bidden, Suitersvillc, 
near Sacramento, that neighs four pounds 
and six ounces; flight, seven and a-lmlf 
inches; longitudinal circumference, twenty- 
three inches; transverse circumference, 
nineteen inches. Jle asks, “ Who can beat 
this ?” _ 
Davison’s Thornless Raspberry- 
Next spring 1 wish to plant three or four 
thousand Black Cap Raspberries, and would 
like to inquire if the Davison’s Thornless 
is any more profitable for a market berry 
than the Doolittle? Ifaoconsidered, why ? 
—E. M. Potter, Kalamazoo, Mich. 
The Davison’s Thornless Black Cap is not 
a belter berry for market or borne use than 
the Doolittle. It ripens a lew days earlier, 
and the canes are thornless; and these are 
its only distinct merits. 
Apples oil ilivarl Slocks. 
A writer in the Journal of Horti¬ 
culture savs that altnosl all apples thrive on 
dwarf slocks, but he lias found that some 
thrive better than others, among which are 
the Early Harvest, American Summer Pear- 
man, Summer Rose, Early Strawberry, Red 
Aslrachai], Gravenstein, Porter, Summer 
Rambo, Duchess of Oldenburg, Maiden’s 
Blush, Fall Harvey,Hubbardston’s Nonsuch 
aqd Fallawaler. 
Slorirnlfnrr. 
FLORAL NOTES AND QUERIES. 
Datura Stramonium Useful, 
Allow a reader of your valuable paper 
to make a remark in favor of “ Jimson 
Weed ,”—Datura Stramonium. Gather the 
leaves, when fully matured, by cutting the 
stalk off at the ground; hang on poles, or 
twine, upside down, under shelter, until 
quite dry; rub off the lcares and put in a 
bag for use, hanging it in a dry place ; boil 
equal parts (as to bulk) of the dried leaves 
and bog’s bird; strain, and box for use. 
This salve, for sore teats In cows, I have 
never seen equaled, having used it for years. 
W. D. Seymour, Baltimore , Md. 
Winer Lilian in Texan. 
What beauties they are, as they gaily 
nod their lovely heads in frolicsome glee to 
every passing breeze, and bend to kiss each 
rippling wave as it advances to embrace 
them; and yet, what a strange life they lead! 
I have seen yellow ones in Minnesota and 
white ones in Illinois, but here they are 
much larger, and ol* entirely different ap¬ 
pearance— deep, goblet-shaped, and very 
double ; color a pale purplish lilac, beauti¬ 
ful. While the water remains they continue 
to bloom; but as it dries up they disappear 
as entirely as if they had never been. The 
ground becomes dry anil very hard, and re¬ 
mains so at. times, long months. Where 
are the lilies? The germs of a beautiful 
life are asleep beneath that hard crusted 
earth, to be reawakened whenever the 
waters call them forth.—A cacia, Browns¬ 
ville, Texas, Nov. 27, 1870. 
About SmiihIi-v Plants. 
Will you please describe and give en¬ 
gravings of the following plants in the next 
number of ihe Rural New-Yorker? 1 . 
The Bcjueo de Guaco, or Vejttco de Guaco. 
2. And the Seneca plant. — Wit. Udell. 
The above is a very modest request, but 
We cannot a fiord to get up illustrations of 
plants for the sole benefit of one of our read¬ 
ers. Besides, we are not quite sure that we 
know the plants to which Mr. Udell refers, 
as common names are exceedingly local in 
application. Wc do not know of a plant by 
the name of Bejue.o dc Guaco, but there are 
two species of South American plants called 
Guaco; one is known to botanists as Mika- 
nia Guaco. It is a herbaceous, twining 
plant, with roundish, hairy branches. Leaves 
stalked, ovate somewhat acuminate, nar¬ 
rowed at the base, roughislt above and hairy 
beneath, 'flic flowers in ti caryush, re¬ 
sembling our common Eupatorium. This 
species of Mihania is reputed to possess pow¬ 
erful curative properties for the wounds 
made by venomous serpents, alt hough some 
medical authorities deny this and say that 
it is a species of Aristolochia and not a Mika- 
ilia that is used for this purpose. 
We presume the Seneca plant referred to is 
the Polygala Senega , or Seneca Snakcroot. 
it. is a very common weed, growing about a 
foot high, with lanceolate or oblong leaves. 
Flowers small, while, in a close spike—a 
well-known medicinal plant, more abundant 
in the Western States than at the East. 
dbc $artmur. 
4 P 
GARDEN NOTES AND QUERIES. 
A Woman fn the Garden." 
Mrs. F. F. Brooks, warren Co., Pa., 
writes us Jan. 81st, inclosing $3 for the 
Rural New-Yorker, anil adds:—“ I wish 
to tell von that this money was earned by 
myself cultivating cabbage, which I sold 
yesterday at eleven cents a head. I have 
three children—the oldest six years old, and 
I have so far managed to do my own work, 
and a good deal in the garden, (which yields 
us vegetables of all kinds the year round,) and 
1 find weeds need a great amount of atten¬ 
tion ; for I must confess I have taken a great, 
deal of pride in exhibiting my onions, and 
parsnips without a weed. I cultivate a few 
flowers and find a purer, sweeter pleas¬ 
ure admiring and lending them than in 
visiting, and consequently do not do much 
(or even little) iff the latter.” 
We think our correspondent should visit— 
not for the sake of gossip, but for the pur¬ 
pose of giving and receiving knowledge. 
Neglect ol' social duties and privileges is al¬ 
ways a mistake, provided it does not absorb 
too much time. 
ToukIi Heats. 
A., of Siccamac, N. J., writes“ All 
the beets raised in my garden are tough and 
stringy, and not fit to eat. Will somebody 
tell me why, through the columns of the 
Rural New-Yorker?” The cause of 
beets being lough and stringy Is slow growth. 
Make the soil rich enough to make the plants 
grow rapidily, and the roots will be tender 
enough, unless they are of some coarse kind 
like the mangel wurzel or similar sorbs 
usually grown for feediug cattle. On light 
soil it is sometimes necessary to cover the 
ground with a light mulch during dry 
weather, in order to keep up a vigorous 
growth. _ 
Lettuce In Winter. 
It is said that heads of lettuce can he pro¬ 
duced in Winter in from twenty-four to for¬ 
ty-eight hours by taking a box filled with 
rich earth, in which one-third part of slaked 
lime has been mixed, and watering the earth 
with lukewarm water; then taking seed 
which had been previously softened by soak¬ 
ing in strong brandy twenty-four hours, and 
sowing in tbe usual way. We are assured, 
but will not vouch for the fact, that, a good 
sized head of lettuce may be obtained in tbe 
time mentioned.— Harper's Magazine. 
VINEYARD NOTES. 
A Srtio:>l for Grape Wines. 
Discussing the Wine Reports of the Com¬ 
mit lei; of the State Horticultural Society of 
Missouri, the editor of the Rural World says: 
Upon one point it was hoped Mint some light 
would lie furnished, viz:—Do our wines, espe¬ 
cially iij-'ht C'oneoi.J and CntnwLn,deteriorate liy 
tine? It will tie si-«*n Ly an ex'iiniituilion of the 
report*th.it iltere w.in no rent opportunity pre¬ 
sorted by which to throw baht on tl;i« point. 
Or the three samples of Catawba, that of 1887 
gin e 7t point*, while those of 1,808 unve rr-peut- 
f\ el v 71 and 77. and I he mean of the i tin-e was 71. 
of Concord, 1807 stood 7'-t, white 18(19 made one- 
third ft a point tnnro—7:.' i. If we compare Ihe 
white CotuHinl of 1870, the average of six sam¬ 
ples, t hoy mu tie only ti'.l points. 
In red wines, six samples of 1801) cave as an 
average til. ami eleven samples of i -vu mivc77 
points. Hilt i lie tlitlereiiee in tile \ lews, habits 
and tastes of the Cnmiiiitiees might lend to this. 
The m< re wc Inquire lido llicse points the 
more we are convinced that wine exh.bilious 
amt urine reports embraeea classorsubjects and 
interests Hint must lie. touched v, itl> i iutfon, 
and instead of having a number ol petty exhi¬ 
bition. 0 . tetr with (tautier to the i.rhihii.r. and 
peoducii tv of no(/.< • >. let all unit0in nininminmg 
a wine fail eintiracnip Mieh elements as w ill at 
least give tin nioal ample guarantees of the 
gre.itc-t eon col ness possible. 
The finding of such tin exhibition would carry 
imitio weight, mid it practical hints:uu! remuvKs 
conKl accompany the report, they would add to 
n - value. 
Till- would fm-ur considerable expense, and it 
slmtiJd la-so. Where there arc ilemamlsoii men’s 
I inn- and citpiiliilii ies, 1 lie re should lie remunera¬ 
tion. !8o. it men want eommamtinge.vbibitions, 
Correct examinations aiul complete reports, they 
must be prepared to pay tor them. Bv some 
such method we run very easily meet a demand 
of the time—a School of (Jevine anil Wines. 
Vine* Illcedinsr. 
In t lie Rural New-Yorker of January 
14th, II. M, R. of Crawfordsville, Inch,asks: 
“ Will not the system of pruning lire grape 
vine in spring and early summer, cause the 
vine to bleed badly, &c., «fcc. ?” If you do 
not get a hotter answer, yoit can say for me, 
No; tlm vine will not bleed at all by any amount 
of pruning, if it is done when the clusters of 
grapes are selling after the bloom is gone. 
There are many advantages gained by prun¬ 
ing at that lime, which I had the pleasure of 
seeing through many years of close observa¬ 
tion.— Dr. X. ('lute, <h.vsackie, N. Y. 
Arhcriailture. 
HP 
ARBORICULTURAL NOTES. 
Planting Peach Trees. 
With regard to Alfred Knapp’s inquiry 
about planting 1,000 peach trees on six acres 
of low, flat, land through which runs a creek, 
and which is bounded by bluffs and high 
wooded land, I would say, from experience 
and observation, if you wish to raise trees, 
you may do so by planting them on your low 
land, but if you wish to raise trees and fruit, 
[dace the trees on the bluff or high lands, and 
away from the creek. If the soil is not good, 
make it so.—v. d. m. 
Inilin Ifnfiber for Grafting. 
Pome of the English gardeners have suc¬ 
cessfully used strips of India rubber in the 
place of grafting wax, being neater, more 
perfect, and not soiling the lingers. Sheets 
arc purchased in market for six pence per 
square foot. They arc about as thick as 
brown paper. They are obtained of the 
manufacturers of this article before it is 
applied to muslin and other surfaces. The 
strips cut from it are about an inch longand 
an eighth of an inch wide, for small grafting, 
the pieces stretching two or three limes their 
first length. The ends adhere when pressed 
firmly with the thumb nail, the sheet having 
been previously washed and wiped dry. 
Wbar is Laurel ? 
In reply to the question, “ What is laurel,” 
r would take the occasion to remark that 
the plant, the essential oil ofwiiicli possesses 
the power of driving away flics from 
butcher’s stalls, and is used for the purpose 
in Europe, is, as you suggest, the prunus 
lauro ccrasus. Its virtue consists in the 
slight proportion of hydrocyanic acid which 
it contains; in this, resembling the leaves of 
the peach and some other plants. This 
remedy is one that has been used for a long 
lime in Europe, although the fact that the 
| plant is an introduced one in this country, 
renders it more difficult of application here. 
—Spencer F. Baiiid, Washington. D. C. 
r 
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