162 PEUKING. 



Blioots push too strongly, deprive them partially of 

 leaves, but allow the lower ones in the vicinity of the 

 weak buds to grow. 



2. Allow no useless shoots to absorb the vigor and 

 sap of the tree — for every pound of them cut away 

 might have been diverted to its proper growth. 



3. To develop a weak branch, cut it back to two or 

 three buds in spring, provided the rest of the tree be 

 closely pruned and summer pinched, but the weak 

 shoot must be allowed to grow unchecked during 

 summer. 



4. To check exuberant shoots, they must not be cut 

 back severely at the winter-pruning, but summer- 

 pinched and partially deprived of leaves. 



5. Allow the strong branches to bear all their fruit, 

 but deprive the weak parts of the tree entirely of fruit. 



FOEISrS OF TRAINING. 



Almost every variety of pear tree exhibits a distinct 

 and characteristic growth. This inclination to a par- 

 ticular form modifies our control over the tree to 

 such an extent as to render it impossible to mold 

 some varieties into any of the shapes exhibited in the 

 figures. Other varieties acquire the pyramidal shape 

 so readily as scarcely to need the restraints of pruning. 



Most of the leading varieties of jDcar trees can be 

 recognized by their characteristic forms and color of 

 the bark, almost as readily as by their fruit. The 

 light yellow bark and open growth of the Bartlett 

 and Duchesse, and the gray, densely-growing shoots 

 of the Urbaniste, distinguish each of them as perfectly 

 as the forms and colors of their fruits. 



