the sodfl well roasted. Then overhaul the heap, chop and beat it up fiue with 

 the spado, and, aflur loosening up the soil in the bed, <,'ive them a coat an inch 

 or two in thickness. It will j^ive new life to the plants, and set them in a way to 

 give you an uncommonly line crop. an old diuukr. 



— « • » • » 



DEGEXEKATION OF VARIETIES OP THE PEAR-TREE. 



Mr. De JoNonE, of Brussels, has been writing lately much about his favorite 

 pear-tree, and comes to the following conclusions respecting the degeneration of 

 varieties, so much talked about. He says : — 



"From what has been already stated, it will be understood that varieties culti- 

 vated in climates analogous to that in which they were raised, will, in general, 

 retain their characters, provided the trees are planted in a suitable soil, and treated 

 in a ]iroper manner. 



" If the causes of degeneration are to be ascertained, they may be sought and 

 found : — 



"1. In the use of improper stocks, which have no affinity with the graft. 



" 2, In the use of grafts badly selected, either taken from the lower part of very 

 young trees, or from others weak and affected with various diseases. 



" 3. In the use of grafts grown in an artificial manner, 



" 4. In a mode of cultivation unsuited to the nature of the variety. 



" 5. In i)lanting a variety in soil which is cither too poor and too shallow, or 

 too heavy, cold and moist. 



"6. In want of attention, in consequence of ignorance of the first elements of 

 a rational mode of culture. 



"With respect to the first three causes, we have touched upon the principal 

 points connected with them on several occasions in previous articles, and it would 

 1)6 superfluous to revert to them. Concerning the fourth, it is evident to every 

 practical man that a normal degree of vigor, and, consequently, a good crop of 

 perfect fruit, can only be obtained by allowing the tree to take that form which is 

 most in conformity with its mode of vegetation. If that form is constantly restricted 

 by premature pinching, or by too severe pruning, the tree bears a few small, cracked, 

 gritty fruits, becomes barren, and is eventually destroyed. This is not owing to 

 degeneration, but to a want of skill on the part of the cultivator. Nor can we 

 attribute the cause to degeneration, when bad fruit is gathered from a tree planted 

 in a soil which is too strong, compact, and moist. It is not reasonable to seek 

 from the soil that which it cannot give. 



"We have seen a plantation of more than 100 pear-trees, comprising about 80 

 of the best varieties of pears. These trees were confided to one who is known to 

 be an able cultivator. They were all trained in the same form — that of a dwarf 

 pyramid — upon the free stock, and upon the quince. On the 15th of June, 1856, 

 the 100 trees had not 200 pears on them. The premature pinching, performed, 

 in a season different from the ordinary run, had caused a disordered vegetation, 

 from which, of course, the trees suffered, and, in consequence of which, they were 

 not able to set their fruit. Moreover, the ground where the trees were planted 

 was covered with a rather thick layer of horsedung, and this preventing the action 

 of the air and sun upon the soil which covered the roots, the trees were unable to 

 profit by the beneficial effects of the solar rays upon the ascending sap. If these 

 trees remain weakly and barren, is that result to be attributed to the circumstance 

 of the varieties treated in this way having reached the period of degeneration ? 

 That fruit-trees," he concludes, "are disposed to degenerate in consequence 

 time they have been in existence, we do not believe." 



