lOO 
THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
THE DOUGLAS PEAR 
Ed, National Nurseryman: 
In your late issue you gave a list of New Fruits, but in all 
- there was no mention of any new Pear, and as we have one 
in the West, that has given us much hope, I thought it 
would interest the people at large. If not now, it has all 
the qualities to make it so in the future, when known. It 
originated in Douglas County, Kansas, hence the name. It 
is a seedling of the Keiffer, crossed with the Angouleme; 
the best of both parents are retained in this offspring; yes, 
more, they are intensified. Its size and color, as well as 
season, are like the Keiffer, with less red, but no russet, only 
a pure yellow, with scarcely a trace of red. 
It never has any hard, gritty parts about the core, and 
does not seem to rot and drop prematurely, as does the 
Keiffer. Its quality is as good or better than Bartlett, some 
say as good as the Seckel. That should be good enough, 
when its large size is considered. It is one of the most juicy 
pears grown, with a sprightly flavor. The tree is an early 
and prolific bearer, that may be its fault, when allowed to. 
One need not plant it and expect to wait years ere it will 
bear, as they have fruited the next year after setting in 
orchard, while on the same place Tysons have stood eigh¬ 
teen years and never fruited. That is largely a comparative 
description, with kinds well known. The original tree is 
fifteen years old and has no blight. No other kind has done 
so, and I have tried many old and new sorts for over forty 
years. That is one main hope for its success in the country, 
as blight has stopped the growing of pears in the West. 
Kansas. A. H. Griesa. 
SECRETARY HALL ON THE ANNUAL MEETING 
Ed. National Nurseryman: 
Regarding the 36th annual gathering of the American 
Association of Nurseryman at St. Louis, Mo., in June next, 
will say that, while it is somewhat early to make prognostica¬ 
tions, there is no uncertainty about the success that will 
niark the convention. There is no room for any pessimistic 
opinion regarding it. President Stark is doing some 
reconnoitering among his official associates. He doesn’t 
make much noise about it, but he is getting in his work, 
nevertheless. The program has not yet been completed, 
but our genial friend, Mr. J. H. Dayton, who is charged with 
the responsibility of catering to the tastes and needs of his 
brethren, is on the firing line, and will doubtless evolve an > 
attractive menu for their delectation and profit. Of course ^ 
you know that the headquarters of the convention will be 
The Southern Hotel, a hostelry specially built for conven- r 
tion business. Very reasonable rates have been agreed 1 ; 
upon, and there is no cooler hotel in which to spend' the >• 
average St. Louis summer day. Our industrious and pains¬ 
taking friend, Mr. Frank A. Weber, the ideal head for an 
entertainment committee, has already made elaborate plans 
for members and their lady companions. He talks about a 
banquet, visits to “summer theatres,” boat rides on the 
“Father of Waters,” etc. 
I am corresponding with the railroads regarding special 
rates. I wish you would urge members to send in their 
renewals of memberships and advertisements for the Badge 
Book, also to make an effort to secure new members. 
John Hall, Sec'y. 
HOW DID YOU DIE? 
Did you tackle that trouble that came your way 
With a resolute heart and cheerful ? 
Or hide your face from the light of day 
With a craven soul and fearful ? 
Oh, a trouble’s a ton, or a trouble’s an ounce. 
Or a trouble is what you make it. 
And it isn’t the fact that you’re hurt that counts, > 
But only how did you take it ? ^ 
'i 
I I 
You are beaten to earth? Well, well, what’s that? | 
Come up with a smiling face. 
It’s nothing against you to fall down flat, - 
But to lie there—that’s disgrace. ' 
The harder you’re thrown, why the higher you bounce, 
Be proud of your blackened eye! 1 
It isn’t the fact that you’re licked that counts; 4 
It’s how did you fight—and why? 
% I 
And though you be done to the death what then ? * 
If you battled the best you could. 
If you played your part in the world of men. 
Why, the Critic will call it good. [ 
Death comes with a crawl, or comes with a pounce, 1 
And whether he’s slow or spry. 
It isn’t the fact that you’re dead that counts. 
But only how did you die ? 
Edmund Vance Cooke. 
