McKAY’S 
Selected Pears 
Very Hardy Varieties 
This class of Pears are such as have been 
developed in Minnesota, for the colder 
sections of the Northwest. They are some- 
what smaller than those listed in the sem1- 
hardy group. A little thicker skinned, pos- 
sibly coarser grained and not quite as high 
a quality. Still they are Pears of reason- 
ably good eating qualities, and as good as 
any of the semi-hardy vareties for canning 
purposes. They are the hardiest Pears that 
have been developed so far, and are espe- 
cially recommended for the central and 
northern part of Wisconsin. 
\ BANTAM (MINN. No. 3.) This Pear, though 
small in size, makes up in quality what it lacks 
in size. Fruit is small, greenish yellow with a 
bronze blush much like Seckel. This Pear is as 
hardy as a Duchess Apple and can be grown 
anywhere the Duchess succeeds. It ripens early. 
PARKER. The fruit is of medium size, attractive 
in appearance and of the very highest quality. 
The color is a clear yellow, with a pink blush. 
The flesh is tender, medium grained and juicy. 
The tree is large and vigorous, but subject to fire 
blight in some years. 
Semi-Hardy Varieties 
These are the well known Pears typified 
by the Bartlett, that are shipped in from 
Michigan, California and other states. 
While of the highest quality, they gener- 
ally are not hardy in Wisconsin. They 
should be planted only in favored regions 
of southeastern Wisconsin; probably south 
of a line from Dubuque through Water- 
town to Milwaukee. 
“BARTLETT. Large, buttery and melting with a 
rich flavor. Sept. 
~ ANJOU. A large russet-colored Pear. Ripens in 
October and keeps into December. Good quality. 
““ CLAPP’S FAVORITE. Precedes Bartlett, which it 
resembles in size, shape, color and flavor. It is 
the first Pear on the market. Large, pale lemon- 
yellow fruit with brown dots. Fine texture, juicy, 
buttery, with a rich, sweet, delicate vinous flavor. 
Tree hardy and productive. Thrives where other 
varieties fail. 
~ DUCHESS. Fruit large, of a dull greenish yellow. 
Good flavor and juicy. Sept. 
\ FLEMISH BEAUTY. A large, beautiful, highly 
flavored Pear. One of the hardier varieties for 
planting in southern Wisconsin. 
See picture on page 40. 
KIEFFER. The familiar canning Pear shipped in 
from Michigan. It is the hardiest of this class 
of Pears and can be planted more extensively. 
Ripens in October and keeps into winter. 
\ LAWRENCE. Lawrence is a medium sized, early, 
winter Pear, green in color when picked but a 
bright lemon-yellow when it has ripened to the 
eating stage in storage. It has good keeping 
quality in common home storage. It is at its 
best in December and January. The tree is 
moderately vigorous and bears annually. It is a 
high quality early winter eating Pear for South- 
ern Wisconsin home orchards. Quite hardy south 
of a line from LaCrosse to Portage, Wisconsin, 
and south and east of a line from Portage to 
Green Bay, Wisconsin. 
SECKEL. A beautiful and delicious little Pear. 
One of the richest and highest flavored Pears 
grown. Tree dwarf. Worth trying in the more 
favored sections of southern Wisconsin. 
“WINTER NELLIS. The fruit is completely russet- 
ed, small to medium in size, of excellent eating 
quality when ripe, very sweet and juicy. It is 
in season in January and will keep well in com- 
mon storage until March. The variety fills a place 
in the home orchard since it extends the season of 
good eating Pears better than any other variety. 
he tree grows very willowy especially while 
young. Quite hardy south of a line from LaCrosse 
to Portage, Wisconsin and south and east of a. 
line from Portage to Green Bay, Wisconsin. 
x 
ar 
Parker Pear 
How to Plant 
Proper planting, pruning and watering 
are essential to the success of nursery 
stock. The ground should be plowed or 
spaded deeply. Holes should be large 
enough so the roots can be spread out 
without crowding. 
Lots of water should 
be used. Roots 
should be pruned so 
there are plenty of 
fresh ends to come 
in contact with the 
soil. Soil should be 
packed firmly around 
roots so there are no i 
air spaces and so 
roots are in tight 
contact with the soil. 
NOTE 
Fruit tree 
as it comes 
from our 
nursery 
Ground Line 
[Rene a 
And the / 
same tree 
properly 
pruned at 
planting 
time 
; a 
Gas to Ge ‘0 
Fda sic 
PRUNING: Part of the top of the 
tree must be pruned at time of planting 
so as to reduce the amount of top the 
roots have to feed while they are getting 
established. See illustration. 
WATERING: Surface sprinkling does 
very little good. Take nozzle off hose 
and let water run around plant until 
ground is thoroughly soaked for a depth 
of 12 to 18 inches. Never let ground 
dry out. 
MULCH: A mulch of hay, leaves, 
grass clippings, etc., around the base of 
the plant helps to conserve moisture. 
FERTILIZER: Should be placed on 
top of the ground and worked in with a 
hoe. Never put fresh manure in the hole, 
for if it comes in contact with the roots 
it will burn and kill them. 
[41] 
Peaches 
The standard varieties 
of Peaches as grown in 
other states are not hardy 
in Wisconsin. We grow 
and recommend the fol- 
lowing three varieties of 
Peaches, as being more 
hardy and worth trying, 
in the more favored sec- 
tions of the southern half 
of the state. 
\ 
‘ BALMER. An excellent Peach 
y that appears to be as hardy 
as any we know of. Large, 
o firm, of excellent quality and 
freestone. This Peach came 
to. our attention a few 
years ago as a chance seedling on a farm 
near our nurseries, having survived several 
severe winters without apparent injury. 
~\MAROUETTE. A dwarf Peach originated in 
Northern Michigan. Fruit is medium size, 
red cheek, yellow flesh. Fine flavor and ex- 
cellent quality. Freestone. In our trial or- 
chards it bore the third year after planting. 
Worth trying. 
~ POLLY. A Peach with white meat, and of very 
high quality. It has a wonderful flavor for 
eating and is excellent for cannng. The tree 
is a good producer. Said to be very hardy. 
Mulberry 
“ RUSSIAN MULBERRY. The fruit is highly 
prized by the birds and it performs a valu- 
able service by keeping them away from the 
garden. These are sometimes classed among 
ornamental trees on account of their fine foli- 
age and form. For the North, the Russian 
variety is the only one that should be planted. 
Heavy Fruiting Branch of 
Marquette Peach 
