.10 Apkii.. 1919.1 



Pear (I roiviug in V tclDfia. 



209 



yield of pear trees in Victoria was estimated at 1.76 bushels per tree, 

 aud in tlie latter at 1.07, an average crop of 1.415 busliels per tree, 

 as against an average yield from the apples during these seasons of 1.09 

 bushels, a diiference of .325 bushels per tree in favour of the pear. 



It is found by referring to data of pear yields in other States, and 

 also in America, that the average yield per tree in these places does not 

 compare favorably with those of Victoria. In the writer's opinion, this 

 is due not only to the suitability of climate, &c., in this State, but also 

 to the adaptation of scientific methods in pruning, cross-fertilization, 

 spraying, &c., as advocated by the Orcliard Supervision Branch of rhe 

 Victorian Department of Agriculture. 



Soil and Situation for Best Results. 



Experience is always a good guide, but especial]}^ so in the many 

 complex details of orchard work. When orchards were first established 

 in this State, the pioneers had no data to guide them in the work of 

 planting. Thus indiscriminate planting in regard to varieties, suitable 



Plate No. 12. — Pears affected with frost ring. 



soil, and situation, was the rule. Many old-established orchards bear 

 witness to this fact by the pear trees being located in soil more suited 

 to other kinds of fruit and vice versa. 



With varieties' it did not appear to matter much in the early days of 

 fruit-growing in this State how many were planted, for it seems that 

 the growers who planted -the greatest number succeeded best in the 

 business. It is, how^ever, different in tliese days, when the grower has 

 to move with the times, and instead of planting large numbers of 

 varieties has to confine his attention to a few which are most profitable 

 according to the markets he intends to supply. In the choice of situa- 

 tions and soil conditions most suitable for pear trees there has been 

 much to learn ; but the acquirement of this knowledge has been facili- 

 tated by the mistakes made in original plantings. Although the pear is 

 fairly cosmopolitan in its soil requirements, it is necessary to give due 

 consideration to those conditions under which this fruit will produce 

 the best results, even to the studying of the likes and dislikes of a 

 particular variety. 



