210 Juitrnal of Af/rirultiire. Virturu'. \ 10 April, 1919. 



Fortunately it often happens that, in choosing the hest location for 

 the pear in an orchard of mixed fruits where the soil diifers in quality, 

 soil is selected which would not he at all suitable for such trees as the 

 apple; in fact, may even prove fatal to their existence in a few years. 

 Thus by such systematic planting we not only provide the conditions 

 best suited to the needs of the pear, but also for the other kinds of fruit 

 to be planted. Of course, if the orchard is to be established in a locality 

 where the soil is of a unifonn quality and the surface fairly level, no 

 discrimination in the choice of soil or situation will be possible, but in 

 undulating country the soil conditions often vary considerably, even 

 in an area only a few acres in extent. 



This difference in land is usually very marked in country of a 

 Silurian character, where on hillsides the soil is generally of a shaly 

 nature, poor in quality and lacking in humus, but as a rule on a 

 southerly exposure the soil is deeper and contains more humus than 

 ou northerly aspects, exposed to the drying effects of north winds. 



On the flats adjoining these hills the soil is generally of a heavy 

 alluvial character, fairly deep and rich in humus owing to the washings 

 and decay of organic matter from the hillsides. 



As far as soil conditioiis only are concerned this heavy alluviihl ground 

 or even any heavy soil except that of a basaltic nature is suitable for pear- 

 growing. In fact if the area to be planted with mixed fruits is of vary- 

 ing quality, the harshest soil, which would probably be quite unsuitable 

 for such trees as the apple, may be selected as the situation for pears, 

 the other fruits being placed in the more friable soil. Probably the 

 pear will do well, even under such conditions, and the less hardy fruits, 

 by being placed in the more kindly soil, Avill be enabled to produce 

 maximum results Avhich would not be at all possible if the positions 

 were reversed. 



There are, however, certain limitations to the planting of the whole 

 area of pears in such situations on low-lying ground. The old maxim 

 against putting all our eggs in one basket is to be borne in mind. It is 

 now recognised that the majority of varieties of pears is subject to 

 attack from the parasitic fungus known as pear scab if planted in low- 

 lying and protected situations, but if the same varieties are planted in 

 high exposed positions, they are to some extent guaranteed immunity 

 from this disease. There are varieties which are not, as a rule, badly 

 aifected with this fungus, even when planted in positions unfavorable 

 to other pears. Amongst the varieties which enjoy comparative freedom 

 from attack are Kieffer (and all the sand pear type), Howell, Broom- 

 park, Winter Cole, Winter Nelis, and Black Achan. Such knowledge 

 should prove of value in assisting the planter to place his varieties in 

 the most favorable situations. 



Another factor to be considered is the influence of soil conditions 

 upon the fertility of pear trees. In the case of Kieffer, for instance, 

 if this variety be planted in deep rich soil the tendency is to promote 

 excessive growth at the expense of the fruitfulness of the tree. This 

 may to some extent explain the old adage, " Plant pears for your 

 heirs," as it is easy to understand that without the aid of modem 

 scientific treatment of trees in regard to cross-fertilization and pruning 

 such trees may remain unproductive for many years. The planting of 

 a strong^growing variety in poor soil has a steadying effect upon the 



