15 Nov., 1919.] 



Pear Growing in Victoria. 



6C1 



tracted after its being sown in tlie ordinary way. It appears to the 

 writer that if the seed, after removal from the fruit, were either sown 

 at once or placed in some medium, such as sand or light loam, till time 

 of sowing in late winter, germination would be greatly facilitated. If 

 it be desired to hold the seed for future use, it should be thoroughly 

 dried before storing, otherwise it may become mouldy, and thus 

 i-endered useless. 



It is the practice in the nursery to sow the seed thickly in drills 

 about 1 inch deep and 18 inches apart, but it may also be broadcasted 

 with equally good results. The soil should be of a light loamy 

 character. 



1"^? 



CRAFTING 



Plate No. 27. 



The year following the sowing of the seed, the seedlings may be 

 planted out in nursery rows about 9 inches to 12 inches apart, and if 

 growth has been satisfactory, they should be budded with varieties 

 desired during the following late summer. If stocks are weakly, they 

 should be allowed to grow for another year before being budded, or 

 they may be grafted in the early spring. 



The Scion. 



Cuttings taken from trees for use as scions should be taken from 

 one-year old matured wood of trees known to be of good bearing habit. 



As a rule, at the time of grafting, i.e., early spring, the wood from 

 previous season's growth is mostly matured, except in the case of shoots 

 taken from centres of densely growing trees. Such immature wood 

 must be avoided for grafting purposes. Grafting wood should be cut 



