368 



Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [ro June, 191 i. 



Pear Stocks. 

 The stock that should be used for propagating the many varieties of 

 pear upon is the seedling raised from pips selected from hardy and free- 

 seeding kinds. Selected seed can be imported so reasonably, either direct 

 from France or America, oi' through any seedsman of repute, that it is 

 questionable whether it pays to troul)le about saving or securing suitable 

 fruit and washing out the seed. 



Those who wish to save pear seed should be guided by the following :— 

 Only save those pears that have good plump seed, and from varieties 



that make a good average 

 growth, such as Alexandrina 

 Bivort, Beurre Capiaumont, 

 and T/Inconnue. When the 

 fruit is ready for seed, place 

 them in old cases or tubs, or in 

 pits or heaps, and keep 

 co\ert'(l. When rotten, partly 

 fill a tub or suitable vessel and 

 work up with the hands to a 

 gruel. Add water, mix well, 

 and strain through a sieve fine 

 enough to prevent the seed pass- 

 ing through. Rub well while 

 straining through the sieve. 

 Applying water freely will 

 force out any seeds that may be 

 left in the cores. Continue 

 this treatment until clean. 

 Then spread the seed upon bags 

 or something suitable, place 

 under cover, and allow to dry. 

 When dry, rub well with the 

 hands to separate any seed that 

 may be stuck together. It wilt 

 then be ready for planting. 

 Keep dry and away from mice 

 or other vermin. 



Tn May. the seed should be 

 sown in drills made t inch in 

 dt'|jth bv 6 to 8 inches in width. 

 The rows should be far enough 

 apart to alloAv the cultivator to- 

 pass through. The bottom 

 of the drill should be fairly 

 level ; sow evenlv, but not too thickly. Take a piece of board the width 

 of the drill and 'about 2 feet in length, and nail a short piece upon one 

 side to act as a handle. Pat the seed lightly with this, and cover with 

 sand or light soil to the depth of t inch. A fairly heavy loam in a 

 moist cool district is most suited for raising seedlings. It will repay 

 the planter to dig into the soil a little bonedust before opening out the 

 drills. The seed beds should be kept perfectly free from weed growths, 

 and removed before they grow to any size in the rows ; or else in removing 

 them injury will be done to the germinating or sprouting seed. 



15. TYPICAL STOCKS. 



A. Apple Stock— Koot Graft; B. Apple Stock— Layer or 

 Stool ; C. Plum Stock~Cuttin<r ; D. tiuinee Stock— 

 Cuttinu-; E. Pear Stock— Seedlinj,'-. 



