PROPAGATION BY LAYERS AND CUTTINGS. 59 



no progress ; tlie small number of leaves affected drop 

 off, and growth commences again, though the fruit 

 does not acquire more than half size. The best pre- 

 ventives are : to plant in new, deep, and rich soils ; 

 to cultivate well and obtain a good, strong growth 

 before the first of August. 



An article upon this subject, exhibiting evidence of 

 close investigation, and containing suggestions of much 

 value, was written for The IlartimcUarist^omQ, years 

 since, by Mr. II. E. IIookkk, of Rochester. 



PROPAGATION BY LAYEPvS AND CUTTINGS. 



With the Pear this is always a difficult process, and 

 requires nice management. If the theory regarding 

 the necessity of affinity between the stock and the 

 graft is worthy of attention, propagation by layers is 

 important, for nothing can be nearer in affinity to a 

 variety than the variety itself. Some varieties are 

 much more easily propagated in this manner than 

 others, but when the proper conditions are observed, 

 success is attainable with all. When the leaves are 

 ripening in the early part of August, the lower shoots 

 of the present year's grow^th should have the bark 

 and sappy wood cut tlirough on the lower side, to 

 about one third of the diameter of the shoot. Some- 

 times a ring of bark about an eighth of an inch wide 

 may be removed entirely around. The shoot is then 

 bent down into a liole (care being taken not to break 

 it at the cut), and covered with tine soil, tightly 

 packed. The retiring sap from tlie ripened leaves is 

 arrested at the incision, and there forms rootlets. I 

 have succeeded by this metliod in producing hand- 



