212 Journal of Agriculture. Victoria. \ 10 Apkil, 1919. 



growth of tree, thus promoting its early fruitfulness. This is a 

 varietal and not a general characteristic, for other varieties, such as 

 Winter Nelis, require the deep rich soil in order to do their best. In 

 the rich soil of Bacchus Marsh flats this variety, usually a shy bearer, 

 bears heavy crops of large-sized fruit. 



Plate No. 13 shows a row of this variety at Diamond Creek, running- 

 down a hillside of poor shaly soil to a flat of heavy, deep, rich alluvial 

 soil, in which a few trees only are situated. The trees in the good soil 

 fruit well, but those in the poorer soil yield only very poor crops. 



The remarks already made apply chiefly to fruit-growing districts 

 of a silurian nature, but owing to the adaptability of the pear to varied 

 conditions of soil, &c., the grower in a locality where the soil is of 

 granitic origin or is of a loamy nature will find his trees do well under 

 such conditions. The pear tree will also adapt itself to almost any of 

 the climatic conditions of our State, whether it be those of the hot inland 

 irrigation districts or the cool mountainous or humid coastal conditions. 



Plate No. 14. — A Victorian Cool Store. 



Of course, the northern districts have a distinct advantage over the 

 southern parts of the State in regard to time of ripening of early 

 varieties, such as "Williams Bon Chretien, which is generally placed on 

 the Melbourne market three weeks before those from the southern dis- 

 trict are ready. Thus high prices are obtained before the bulk of the 

 crops of this variety has ripened. This aspect of pear-growing should 

 commend itself to growers in northern districts, and even earlier 

 varieties, such as Clapp's Favourite, might be grown with advantage. 



Locality and Marketing Facilities. 



There are many ideal sites for pear growing in Victoria combining 

 both perfect soil and asjx^ct conditions, but, owing to their geographical 

 situation, they are not suitable for commercial fruit growing. It is 

 lecognised more each year that the difficulties of transporting fruit t) 

 market, both over long distance and hilly roads, means increased cost 

 of production, and, in addition, the grower is handicapped in placing his 

 fruit on the market in perfect condition — ^two important factors creating 

 profit leakage. 



It is therefore essential, in order to be successful in the business of 

 commercial pear growing, for the prospective grower to choose a locality 



