144 THE PEAE UPON THE QUIXCE STOCK. 



It does not seem to have been considered by horticul- 

 tnrists, that the absorbing powers are not retained by 

 spongioles and rootlets much longer than a single 

 season, and that they need constant renewal. When 

 the hardening of these spongioles takes place, they 

 are no longer capable of affording a supply of nutri- 

 ment proportionate to the wants of the tree. Most 

 tree culturists will have noticed that the fibres and 

 spongioles are not found on the larger and older roots, 

 but that, having fulfilled their office, they decay, as 

 IN^ature never supports useless organs. 



What will be the effect of pear-rooting upon those 

 varieties that are so much superior upon the Quince, 

 must be determined by more experience than we 

 possess at present. There is but little doubt, however, 

 that the pear-rooting of such varieties as are gritty or 

 astringent on pear stocks is to be avoided. 



The Duchesse d'Angouleme, which is not often first- 

 rate on pear roots, because of its hard lumj)y flesh and 

 gritty core, and the Louise Bonne de Jersey and Beurre 

 Diel, which are often astringent and bitter, on the 

 same stock, can hardly be allowed to root from the 

 pear wood. This may be prevented when necessary, 

 by planting more shallow, leaving the pear-wood but 

 little below the surface. 



DOUBLE WORKING. 



It is often desirable to imjDrove the texture and 

 flavor of some varieties of pears, by growing them 

 upon the Quince, although they have proved unadapted 

 to it. The desired effect is obtained by double work- 

 ing — as it is the roots, the providers of nourishment. 



