i88i.] FRUIT -CULTURE. 445 



more room to develop. Large trees on walls and in orchards should 

 be allowed 4 or 5 feet more than Apple-trees, medium-sized ones 2 or 3 

 feet, and dwarfs 1 foot. The fruit requires to be kept in the same way 

 as Apples, but we may observe that it suffers more readily from bruises ; 

 it is therefore necessary to take care not to bruise it, especially if it is 

 to be kept. Any one almost can tell when a summer Pear is ready for 

 pulling from the tree by its appearance. Sometimes, however, the 

 fruit should be gathered and kept in a cool room before it is quite 

 ripe, in order to have it in perfection. If it is wished to retard fruit 

 for any purpose, it may be done in this way ; and if it is desirable to 

 forward it a few days, this may be done by gathering it and placing it 

 in a warm temperature. 



Although there is little chance of a beginner making great mistakes 

 in the gathering of summer-ripening Pears, it is likely enough that he 

 will do it in the case of those kinds which do not become fit for use 

 for months after they are gathered. A good rule is, to gather the 

 Pears when the stalks readily part from the spurs, but not before — by 

 this time the seeds are black, which is another sign that the fruit is 

 ready for gathering. 



In the list of Pears which we attach, the month when the fruit 

 should be fit for the table is mentioned, but it is well to observe that 

 the time when this takes place varies a good deal. In early seasons 

 the fruit will ripen very much sooner than in late ones. The 

 same holds good in regard to early and late localities, and the differ- 

 ence in the dates of maturing sometimes amounts to a month. It may 

 be well to remark that a variation of a few degrees in the heat of the 

 place where the fruit is kept makes a great difference. Those things 

 can only be learned by the grower as he gains in experience, seeing 

 that no two districts are exactly alike ; but we ought to add that 

 almost all the kinds with which we are acquainted ripen much more 

 satisfactorily if they are placed in a temperature of from 55° to 65°, 

 when they show signs of maturing. There is generally no great diffi- 

 culty in managing this, for the placing of them in a drawer in any 

 room where the temperature is high enough will secure the desired 

 result. Even placing them in a box on or near the kitchen hearth 

 will do. 



The list we append is very select, and we confidently submit it ; for 

 we have watched every variety named for years, and have found them 

 to prove trustworthy in the midland counties of Scotland. Those who 

 are favoured in the matter of climate may safely add to the list by 

 following the advice given with regard to Apples. 



Early Crawford. — An old-fashioned, but by no means a despicable Pear ; 

 ripens on pyramids during August; a free and pretty certain bearer, and suitable 

 for northern localities when finer kinds will do no good. 



Citron dcs Carmcs. — Rather later than the above, and very good for succeed- 

 ing it. 



