FRUIT CULTURE. 773 



when localities having such soils are desired for planting pear trees, they should first be 

 thoroughly underdrained. Soils that are too heavy and rich stimulate the tree to an 

 excessively luxuriant growth, which results in the wood of the tree not becoming fully 

 ripened, and in consequence it is liable to be winter killed by blight. On the other hand, soils 

 that are too light require enriching by trenching or top-dressing with richer soil or suitable 

 manure. In a cold climate pear trees should be planted on a southern slope, where they will 

 have the benefit of the warm sunshine; but in a warm climate a cooler site should be chosen. 

 Standard pears are generally planted about thirty feet apart, dwarfs considerably nearer 

 according to the size they will attain when full grown. Pear trees that have arrived at a 

 bearing age should have a top-dressing of manure applied every autumn, unless the soil is 

 otherwise quite rich. Chip dirt of good quality, wood ashes, and iron filings are excellent 

 for pear trees, especially the latter. It is stated by those who have tried the experiment that 

 pear trees fertilized annually by sweepings from a smith s shop in which there are a large 

 quantity of iron filings and small bits of iron, give a large yield of excellent fruit. Pear 

 trees require but little pruning, in fact less than any other fruit tree. 



The Proper Time to Pick Pears, Storing, etc. Pears differ from all other 

 kinds of fruit in respect to the time of gathering. While all others attain their highest 

 degree of perfection in being allowed to remain on the tree until fully ripened, pears are best 

 if picked when of mature growth, and permitted to ripen off the tree in a dark place. In 

 fact, many of the choicest and most delicious varieties would be almost worthless if allowed 

 to become mellow on the tree. 



The following directions, from one of the best authorities on this subject, will be found 

 of value to all who cultivate this fruit: &quot;If taken off the trees too soon, the fruit withers 

 before it ripens; while if left on too long, loss follows from evaporation and decay, the fruit 

 being of an inferior quality. To avoid these evils, then, should be the aim of those fruit 

 growers who are not already familiar with this part of the business an important one for 

 those who grow pears for profit. There is a change in color which takes place in pears that 

 is a sure sign of ripeness to the experienced eye. This is always accompanied by unmistak 

 able marks which, being consulted by the novice, there need be no loss from untimely picking. 

 The seeds of pears always change from a ligh.t to a dark brown color when the fruit is 

 matured, and will, when gathered and placed in a proper place, ripen without withering. 

 Another and safe rule to follow in gathering pears is to watch for the swelling of the end of 

 the stem attached to the twig, and, by raising the pear gently by hand, it separates without 

 effort; while, with a green specimen, no such separation can take place unless force is used. 

 Neither for home use, nor market, should pears be allowed to ripen on the tree, for the quality 

 of such will always be inferior to those ripened in a dry, dark, and cool atmosphere. Pears 

 intended for market should be hand-picked, sorted into two sizes at the time of gathering; 

 and a stem upon each pear is an important appendage, making a difference in their favor of 

 from 10s. to 20s. per barrel, which is the most convincing argument. In practice, it seldom 

 happens that all the fruit on a tree is fit to gather at the same time. Going over the trees 

 two or three times in a period of the same number of weeks, taking off each time the fruit 

 far enough advanced, will be found the best practice to follow. In picking, sorting, and 

 packing, avoid rough usage, for whenever pears are bruised, they rot before ripening, and of 

 course such blemishes will tell against the fruit. Delicate and thin-skinned sorts are more 

 easily injured by rough handling than varieties with tough skins, like Duchesse d Angouleme, 

 Beurre Bosc, and Lawrence; but, whether tough or tender, rough handling should be 

 avoided. Pick pears only on dry days, and under no circumstances is it best to pack such 

 fruit for market until it has cooled off, which it will in a few hours, if placed in a dry, cool 

 atmosphere, to which darkness should be added if the fruit is kept in bulk for any length of 

 time after picking. Where the latter is the case, it is well to turn the heap over by hand, say 



