298 THE PEAR. 



The propagating by grafting^ budding, etc., is also the same in the 

 pear as in the apple, and usually performed at same season. The 

 remarks we make relative to root grafting on pieces of roots are 

 also equally applicable to the pear as the apple. Some practise the 

 grafting on pieces of root, and plant deep to induce the rooting of 

 the pear from the graft ; this is easily done, but we see no advantage ; 

 and our experience with trees, roots so formed, has not been favora- 

 ble ; we have found the roots thrown from the pear small and in- 

 sufficient to sustain the tree, while those of the old root, on taking 

 up, were diseased, apparently from some want of action in the cir- 

 culation of sap -vessels. 



Hardihood. The comparative hardihood of American over for- 

 eign varieties has been much lauded, but as yet we do not think sus- 

 tained by experiment. Propagation on healthy or unhealthy stocks 

 we think has had more to do with it than aught else. Until within 

 a few years past, most of the pears worked on pear stocks in this 

 country were on suckers, and this we imagine the foundation of 

 most said respecting the comparative hardihood of native over for- 

 eign varieties. 



Stocks and Adaptation of Trees grown thereon. Healthy seedling 

 pear stocks, usually two years old and about | to ^ an inch diameter at 

 crown, are regarded best for grafting on, while the same left to grow 

 until August, are usually suitable size for t)udding. The quince, 

 apple, thorn, and mountain ash, are all more or less used for grow- 

 ing what are termed dwarf trees. Of these the quince is best, thorn 

 next, and apple the least desirable. Of the quince, seedlings are 

 not desirable to use for this purpose, as they do not run even in 

 growth ; but cuttings grown from what is generally known as the 

 Anglers variety should be procured. The thorn and mountain ash 

 are used often with advantage on dry gravelly or sandy soils, where 

 the quince roots do not appear as well suited. 



While a very large number of varieties will take and grow for a 

 year or two finely, there are comparatively few that succeed for a 

 series of years in continued vigor and productiveness, when grown 

 on any stock but that of the pear ; and while the cultivation is now 

 very extensive on the quince root, we cannot but fear that in eight- 

 tenths it will prove unprofitable to the grower ; and in the remain- 

 ing two-tenths, require equally as much care in supplying nutrition 

 and pruning, as a system of root pruning when grown on pear roots. 

 There are, however, some sorts that the fruit seems improved by 

 being worked on quince, asDuchessed'Angouleme, Easter Beurre, &c., 

 and this is a strong item in favor of the quince stock ; and therefore, 

 while advising its use, we must not forget always to mention that 

 without carefu' and high culture the grower will meet disappointment/. 



