PEA 



442 



PEA 



Fig. 120.— (P. 437.) 



matic juice. On the whole this pear 

 has few superiors in its season, and is 

 deservedly a favourite. 



Propagation. — By Seed, to obtain 

 varieties, is best practised by following 

 'the directions for raising seedling Ap- 

 ples. For raising grafting stocks, the 

 seeds of the wild pear should be em- 

 ployed, the produce being hardy. 



Grafting and Budding. — Mr. LOudon 

 has collected together the following 

 good directions upon these subjects: — 



" The most common stocks for graft- 

 ing the pear, are the common pear and 

 the wilding; but as the apple, is dwarfed 

 and brought more early into a bearing 

 state by grafting on the pawell, on the 

 white beam, medlar, service, or apple; 

 but the wilding and quince are in most 

 general use. Pears, on free stocks, 



grow luxuriantly in good soil on a dry 

 bottom ; those on wildings grow less 

 rapidly, but are deemed more durable, 

 and they will thrive on the poorest soil, 

 if a hardy variety and not over pruned." 

 " On the quince," Miller observes, 

 " breaking pears are rendered gritty 

 and stony ; but the melting sorts are 

 much improved ; trees on these stocks 

 may be planted in a moist soil with 

 more success than those on wildings 

 or thorns." On the thorn, pears come 

 very early into bearing, continue pro- 

 lific, and, in respect to soil will thrive 

 well on a strong clay, which is unsuita- 

 ble both to those on quinces and wild- 

 ings; and the grafts or buds require to 

 be inserted very low that the moisture 

 of the earth may tend to favour the 

 swelling or enlargement of the diame- 



