INSECTS AND DISEASES. 805 



after year, sendiug out new side shoots, which are pinched back in 

 the same manner every summer. 



•' In order to keep the tree finely proportioned, the eye of the 

 pruner must be a nice one, that he may, with a glance, regulate 

 the pruning of the terminal branches or leaders, which, as we 

 have just said, are shortened back in March — for then is the time 

 to adjust any extravagances of growth which the tree may have run 

 into, on either side : and in the summer pinching the balance of 

 growth is adjusted by pinching the side shoots that start out nearest 

 the ends of the branches, quite short, say an inch and a half, while 

 those that start near the bottom of the branch, (or the centre of the 

 tree,) where they have less nourishment, are left from four to five 

 inches long. 



" Understanding this mode of pruning, nothing is easier than to 

 form pyramidal pear trees of the most perfect symmetry, and beauty 

 of form. But in order to have the branches regu arly produced 

 from the ground to the summit, you must plant a tree .vhich is only 

 a couple of feet high, so that you can form the first tier of branches 

 quite near the ground, by cutting back the leader at the very outset; 

 for if the tree is once allowed to form a clean body or stem, of 

 course it is impossible afterwards to give it the requisite shape and 

 fulness of branches at the bottom." 



All this our readers will understand relates more especially to 

 the art of pruning, as adapted to high or garden culture. Standard 

 trees in the orchard require only the same or similar pruning to that 

 pursued in the apple ; very few trees, in fact, requiring aught but a 

 thinning out of branches, or rather a preventing, while young, of the 

 branches becoming too thick. 



Insects and Diseases. — The Scolytus pyri is an insect described by 

 Harris. This is by some counted as the cause of a species of blight. 

 Its presence has, however, been rarely met with, and doubts arise 

 among many cultivators whether it is as prevalent, and the cause of 

 as much destruction, as reported. 



The Bupestris divaraeata, and perhaps some allied species, is 

 found in the larvae state under the bark, on the bodies of both the 

 pear and apple ; and what is often taken for sun-blight, is the effect 

 of this insect. The bark appears blackened on the body of the tree, 

 on the south or southwest side. Cutting it away carefully and de- 

 stroying the larvae in months of July to September, and washing 

 the body first with ley-water, or strong soap-suds, and covering it 

 with a coating of gum shellac, dissolved in alcohol, is the remedy. 



The slug Selandria cerasi appears on the leaf of both cherr^v- 

 ani pear in June, July and August. It is about half an inch long 

 of a dull, greenish br,-.wn, slimy, shining, offensive appearance. 

 It is easily destroyed, if taken 'in time, by scattering ashes or even 



