124 THE PEAR UPON THE QUINCE STOCK. 



from three to eight inches above the soil ; and in ad- 

 dition to this mischievous practice, the tree was not 

 nnfrequentlj trimmed up as a standard. This method 

 of pruning gave the top, when large, a great lever 

 power at the ground ; and the trees, unable to resist 

 the force of the wind, often parted at the junction of 

 the bud with the stock. K the tree survived, it was 

 often a monstrosity of growth, the pear swelling out 

 to twice the diameter of the quince. 



ADVANTAGES OF THE QUINCE AS A STOCK. 



The conditions and advantages of the use of quince 

 stocks, have been so fairly and clearly set forth in a 

 communication of Me. Louis Bekckmans to The Agri- 

 culturist^ that I shall insert it here. Mk. Berckmans 

 has devoted a life of great activity and intelligence 

 to experiments upon the Pear — enjoying the personal 

 acquaintance of those gentlemen, both in Europe and 

 America, whose names will always be associated with 

 its culture. His collection is large, and embraces 

 selections from the best seedlings of Yan Mons, Es- 

 perin, Bivokt, and others. His great experience 

 entitles his testimony to the highest consideration. 



In answer to the vexed question — Will pears budded 

 on the Quince succeed ? — Mr. Berckmans says : " I 

 have no hesitation in saying : ' Yes, they will ;' and often 

 better than on pear stocks, and they are less sulject to 

 'blight. I know that I do not agree with the opinions 

 of my late friends Yan Mons and Esperin, who never 

 would admit a quince stock in their experimental 

 gardens. I respect their memory, but cannot help 

 considering their opinion as a prejudice. They had 



