FKUITS IN WAUSHAEA COUNTY. 
575 
My time of planting is the early spring. I set two rods each way and a 
tree in the centre of each square thus formed; keep the land in hoed crops 
from five to seven years, then cultivate with a large cultivator, keeping the 
ground clean in the fore part of the season, and letting the weeds grow in 
the latter part; for winter protection I have also found it a good plan to 
• mulch late in the fall and early winter with coarse manure, remembering 
always to keep plenty of hungry cats—a perfect and practical remedy for 
the mice. 
A thorough application of kerosene oil is a sure remedy for the bark louse, 
and can be easily and rapidly applied to trees from three to seven years old, 
with a paint brush. The oil will clean the tree of lice, dead bark, moss, &c., 
without injury to the tree. I have known trees crusted with the bark lice and 
stunted and dwarfed by them, cleared of their monster scabs and make a fine 
growth the first year after the application of this oil. 
On the high land, and red marl soil, previously spoken of, I have planted 
the Flemish Beauty and other pears. With ray limited experience with that 
fruit, the Flemish Beauty is almost the only variety worthy of cultivation in 
this latitude. Last winter, 1864, injured this variety, as will all very bard 
winters, depending on the ripeness of the growth. [Mr. F. here enumerates 
12 other varieties, with which he has experimented, and lost them both as 
standards and dwarfs, and proceeds.] I think my experience in pear culture 
appears rather mournful, but, I assure you it is no less so, than my neighbors, 
I have not a doubt, but that some of them, have bought, set and lost the Vicar 
of Wakefield, Swan’s Orange and Louis Bonne de Jersey, from three to five 
times, in the last ten years. The people rely upon the recommendations of 
tree p.edlers, and give their orders for what they recommend; while he 
recommends all he has to sell, which is a general stock. I should like to 
know how many hundred thousand dollars have been paid to eastern nusery- 
men for tender pears and apples, or even the famous King of Tompkins 
County. I think all that have tried the dwarf pear culture, in this section 
of country, will agree with me in calling it a perfect failure. 
Plums are grown to some extent in this locality. Duane’s Purple is 
much the best variety for this latitude; it is not only the most hardy, but most 
productive. The Imperial Gage stands next in popularity. All should be 
grown on the wild plum stock. * * # 
I am growing some grapes, have the Delaware, Concord, Diana and Isabella. 
The last is too late for this latitude, except in favorable seasons. I cover all 
vines in winter. 
February 4, 1866. 
