490 WISCONSIN FRUIT-GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION. 
stroyed. Still I consider this as one of my hardier varieties. 
With regard to the black blotches or canker which form on the 
fruit, and also its cracking, I would remark that a large and 
vigorous Pyramid on Quince, planted in 1848, first showed these 
defects in 1857, and the crop of 1858, has been still more af¬ 
fected. Another large Pyramid on Quince, planted in 1853, 
in the same border wfith the first, and about ten feet from it, 
has had a few pears affected with the canker, this year, for the 
first time, but no cracking. Another strong Dwarf on Quince 
planted in 1857, near the above, had every specimen of this 
year’s crop, perfectly fair and healthy. The borders in which 
these trees are planted, have a clay subsoil, underdrained, say 
two and a half feet, and all the trees had the same treatment.— 
From these facts I conclude that tree No. 1 has sent its roots 
down into the cold and wet clay too deep to be relieved by the 
underdrains, and from thence forms an imperfectly elaborated 
sap, wdiich produces a diseased action in the fruit, resulting in 
canker. Tree No. 2 seems to be slightly affected by the same 
cause; and tree No. 3, whose roots have probably not yet pen¬ 
etrated beyond the compost in which it was planted, still pro¬ 
duces perfectly fair and healthy fruit. If I am correct in these 
opinions, the conclusion to be drawn is that, in order to provide 
for the permanent health of your trees and their fruit, the bor¬ 
ders should be deeply underdrained (where there is a clay sub¬ 
soil,) say three and a half or four feet, the soil having been 
well trenched two spits, with the addition of suitable composts 
previous to the planting out of youi; trees. And I have no doubt 
that a few trees planted in ground thus prepared will give 
more satisfaction, as well as profit, than a much larger number 
set out in the usual careless way. 
Belle Lucrative. —This is a prolific variety of great ex¬ 
cellence. About the size of the W. Doyenne; as sweet and 
fine in grain, and higher in flavor, it is free from all tendency 
to canker, which affects the latter. 
With me this fruit has never acquired the high color and 
beauty of which some cultivators speak, but its good qualities 
