AN ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF HORTICULTURE. 49 
Pear—continued. 
the number of spurs, when they are too numerous, or 
project too far from the branch. A spur is a short side 
branch, which either has proper blossom-buds at its 
apex, or only imperfectly-formed buds that elongate but 
slowly, compared with ordinary wood-producing shoots. 
It has already been stated that the fruit of the Pear is 
borne on spurs. The system or mode of bearing is 
FIG. 48. FRUITING BRANCHLET OF PEAR. 
shown in Fig. 48. It frequently happens that a tree 
has very numerous spurs, but only a few that are set 
with blossom-buds. The other slender ones produce leaves 
only, and, when they become numerous, it is more likely 
that they will, if allowed, still further increase, rather 
than diminish, as time goes on. To prevent this, and en- 
courage the formation of more blossom-buds, such spurs 
should be thinned in winter, and cut back nearly close 
on the upper branches, at the same time thinning and 
shortening somewhat less severely those on the middle 
and lower branches respectively. This tends to cause 
the sap to be more evenly distributed over all parts 
of the tree, which further conduces to change numerous 
barren spurs into fruitful ones. 
Root-pruning has a wonderful influence on Pear-trees 
worked on the Pear stock, when they become unfruitful 
from over-luxuriance, or because of their roots having 
entered a cold and unfavourable sub-soil. The Quince, 
being of weaker growth, curtails the supply of sap, which 
thus restricts the undue vigour of shoots, and causes a 
more generally fruitful habit. Hence, trees worked on it 
do not require root-pruning so frequently to insure fer- 
tility, as do those on the Pear. If trees requiring root- 
pruning are not too old, they should be lifted early in 
autumn, and their large roots cut back, while all others 
must be carefully preserved. All cuts should be finally 
sloped on the upper part of roots, leaving that beneath 
intact; this tends to keep the small new ones, when 
formed, near the surface, instead of encouraging them to 
proceed downwards. Root-pruning of large trees may be 
effectually performed by digging a trench round them, 
and shortening back the mains, to within, say, 3ft. or 
Aft. of the base. The first year after this has been prac- 
tised, the trees will not be likely to bear much fruit— 
indeed, the necessity of such an operation suggests 
that the wood is not in a proper fruitful condition 
Vol. III. 
Pear—continued. a 
but, in the following winter, the results will invariably be 
apparent by the presence of numerous spurs, furnished 
with properly-developed blossom-buds. ou 
Gathering and Storing. Some few sorts of Pears 
require gathering at a particular time: otherwise, the 
fruits never acquire their proper flavour. The well- 
known Williams’ Bon Chrétien, for instance, becomes 
musky if allowed to hang too long, while it is juicy 
and excellent if gathered early enough. As a rule, most 
of the varieties are ready so soon as their fruits, on 
being lifted to a horizontal position, part readily from the 
spur. Many of the early sorts require gathering before 
they are so far advanced; others, ripening in succession, 
must be frequently examined, and gathered at the time 
experience suggests. Fine specimens should be laid on 
a little moss, in shallow baskets, and carried to the frnit- 
room, where they should be placed in single layers, on 
shelves. A cool, steady temperature is best suited for 
preserving fruit, and the atmosphere should be kept dry. 
To maintain a supply of ripe Pears, it is frequently neces- 
sary to adopt some method for hastening the ripening 
process, with a variety usually coming into proper con- 
dition at a later date, to supply a deficiency, maybe, a 
month previous. This may be successfully accomplished 
by packing some fruits in soft material, such as cotton 
wool or dry fern, and placing them in a warm cupboard, 
or drawer, not far from a fire. In winter, almost any 
late variety may be improved in flavour, as well as for- 
warded in ripening, by this simple process. 
Pear-trees in Pots. This interesting method of culture 
is almost certain to succeed if only due attention is 
given to watering, and also feeding, after the fruits 
commence swelling. Mere protection from frost in any 
unheated glass house is all that is necessary in spring. 
About the beginning of June, the pots may be plunged 
in some prepared soil outside, into which the roots may 
be allowed to enter for the summer; in autumn, when 
repotting should be attended to, they may be cut off. 
For this system of culture, trees on the Quince are best 
adapted. They are often inclined to produce more 
flowers than could possibly be matured ; in such instances, 
a large number of the weaker ones should be removed 
before expanding. For other remarks respecting fruit- 
tree culture in pots, see Orchard House. 
Sorts. Varieties of Pears are extremely numerous, a 
large proportion of them being worthless, and unfit for 
any purpose whatever. It is, therefore, extremely im- 
portant that reference should be given only to sorts 
that are worthy of cultivation: this aim has been kept 
in view in the preparation of the following list. It 
includes the varieties, with some additions, recommended 
as being worthy of cultivation, in an abridged statement, 
taken from the full Report of the Executive Committee 
of the National Pear Conference, held in the Royal 
Horticultural Society’s Gardens, Chiswick, from 21st 
October to 4th November, 1885. This interim report 
was prepared by Mr. A. F. Barron, secretary to the 
committee, and published in the horticultural press 
during December of the same year. At the Pear Con- 
ference referred to, contributions were received from 
thirty-five of the English counties, also from Scotland, 
Ireland, Wales, and the Channel Islands. In addition, 
several large and meritorious collections were received 
from France. The report in question states that, “ with- 
out entering into comparison of the merits of the diffe- 
rent collections exhibited, it is important to notify this 
fact, that the cultivation of good Pears is not confined 
to any particular climate or district of the country.” 
To confirm this, reference is made to noteworthy exhibits 
from Jersey, Kent, Hampshire, Sussex, Cheshire, and also 
from Scotland. The subjoined is added: “ Nothing con- 
tributes so much to these successful results as good and 
careful cultivation. As a general rule, the best fruits 
H 
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