FRUITS. 205 



weeks. The Yicar of Winkfield is to be recommended princi- 

 pally on account of its hardiness and productiveness. It is not 

 " first rate," and, unless well ripened, is often quite poor. " It 

 might be set down," says Quinn, as good, bad or indifferent. 

 It is, however, one of our best cooking pears." The Glout 

 Morceau, very popular a few years ago, is now generally 

 denounced as a worthless variety. 



By a judicious selection of varieties and faithful culture, 

 almost any one can raise good pears enough to supply his table 

 well, six or eight months in the year. 



Certain varieties do decidedly best on quince stock, such as 

 the Duchesse d'Angouleme, Louise Bonne de Jersey, Easter 

 Beurre, Beurre Diel, Glout Morceau and Vicar of Winkfield. 

 But the Bartlett, Doyenne d'Ete, Flemish Beauty, Winter Nelis, 

 and others, do best as standards. The dwarf is not in general 

 favor, except for certain varieties, the Duchesse d'Angouleme in 

 particular, which has not usually done well as a standard ; the 

 standard Duchesse, it is said, produces inferior fruit and less of 

 it. Some recommend setting standards and dwarfs together ; 

 the standards as near each other as they should be when in 

 bearing condition, and a dwarf between them. The dwarf will 

 do its work and get out of the way by the time the standard 

 begins to bear much. A good distance for standards in the 

 orchard is 12 by 16 ; in the garden they may be a little nearer. 



In selecting dwarfs be particular to get those that were budded 

 low ; for in planting them it is important that the place of union 

 between the pear and quince should be several inches below 

 the surface. Set in this way, dwarfs will ultimately become 

 standards, by throwing out roots from the pear stock. 



In some places a northern exposure is preferred in order to 

 avoid the danger of late spring frosts. As far north as this, how- 

 ever, too warm an aspect cannot probably be selected, especially 

 on high ground but little subject to late frosts. When practicable, 

 places protected from winds should be selected. A rapidly- 

 growing evergreen hedge, in the absence of natural protection, 

 does very well. Hedges of vigorous varieties of pears have been 

 planted for this purpose, which not only screen the orchard, but 

 bear good crops of fruit. 



It should always be borne in mind that the pear-tree needs a 

 rich soil and high culture ; but it will not bear unfermented 



