202 Fruit 



A surface-soil dressing of kainit or of bisul- 

 phide of carbon in the spring will prevent attacks 

 from gnats, sawflies, and several other insects. All 

 fruit which is later injured should be burned im- 

 mediately before the pests have a chance to 

 multiply. 



Certain varieties of pears are subject to rot at 

 the core if left on the tree until ripe, and the flavor 

 is seldom as good in pears of any variety which 

 ripen on the tree. The time to pick pears is when 

 they begin to take on a yellow tinge. 



When picking pears for ripening indoors, wrap 

 each one in a piece of thin, soft paper, and lay away 

 in a cool, dark drawer on a piece of cotton. The 

 paper will keep them from touching and will ab- 

 sorb moisture which would otherwise cause them 

 to rot. 



PLUMS 



A rich clay soil is best suited for the plum. The 

 ground should have an application of compost 

 every year, and cultivation for the first two or 

 three years should be regular and constant. 



Several varieties of plums planted together will 



