1857.] Drecreptitude of the Pear- Tree. 263 



ties, but have found tliat the most substantial have been derived 

 from the Sucree Vertee. Nevertheless, we have observed that vigor- 

 ous varieties from recent regenerations gave a better result. The 

 stocks which were selected and planted were budded in the summer 

 of the fourth year of their growth, not at six inches above the 

 ground, but at three feet or more, for the following reason : Trees 

 worked too near the ground are liable to sun-stroke, as formerly 

 stated, while those budded at the hight of three feet are not. Those 

 young trees raised for orchard culture, do not undergo any cut or 

 wound which can not heal the same season. Their shoots are 

 shortened back at the proper period, in order to form a fine pyramid, 

 either with a half stem or tall stem ; and, when older, the trees are 

 subjected to a moderate thinning of the branches. Thus treated, 

 they afford the prospect of good crops for many years. It will be 

 understood, that the nearer we put off the period of weakness and 

 decay, and the more we deviate from such system the sooner does 

 that period arrive. Crops too heavy for the richness of the soil, too 

 severe pruning, and inconsiderate lopping or thinning of the 

 branches, and inattention to the destruction of insects, are so many 

 causes which hasten the period of individual decay in the Pear-tree. 

 The time, however, will come when attention to all these points is 

 useless, when the tree loses its vigor, and only produces poor and 

 flavorless fruit, containing no seeds. The terminal shoots are short, 

 slender, their bark cracks, and they no longer perfect their wood, 

 losing their leaves and becoming dried up. 



When a tree presents these characteristics of old age, it ought to 

 be destroyed, for it uselessly occupies room, has an unsightly ap- 

 pearance, and can only deposit diseased excretions by its roots, 

 which it ought not to be allowed to do. No other tree ought to be 

 planted in the same place till many years have elapsed, unless, in- 

 deed, the soil occupied by the decayed tree be removed. — Gardeners' 

 Chronicle. 



