SITUATION AND SOIL 3 



or stewing. Fresh sorts are constantly being brought 

 into notice, the result of cross-fertilisation, and we may, 

 I think, congratulate ourselves that British pears in a 

 favourable season are as good as those produced in any 

 part of the world. Let any one who doubts this state- 

 ment attend a Crystal Palace or any other first-rate 

 Fruit Show ; his doubts will soon be dispelled. 



SITUATION AND SOIL 



THESE two points are of the greatest importance in 

 successful cultivation. No amount of skill will enable 

 even a clever gardener to grow good fruit in a bad site. 

 Where the land is low and swampy, exposed therefore 

 to frosts more than ground at a higher altitude, the 

 effort would be useless. Stagnant water moreover pro- 

 duces canker, and soon ruins trees. Pears love a deep 

 moist soil, but not water that lies for any length of time 

 about the roots. On a hillside, where the slope is more 

 than gradual, so that in a dry season the upper part 

 suffers from drought, they would be a failure. Trees 

 planted near the bottom and properly protected from 

 winds might succeed, yet they would probably suffer 

 from frost. The slope should not be more than two to 

 three feet in a hundred. 



The aspect should be south, south-east or south- 

 west. The Pear is of Eastern origin, and probably 

 retains its Eastern habit in blooming early some time 

 before the apple. It needs more warmth, and more 

 protection. 



To plant pears in a north aspect even on a wall is a 

 mistake. Morello cherries are a sure crop, pears a very 

 doubtful one. The wood is not well ripened, and bloom- 

 buds are not often formed. The amount of rainfall is 

 also a matter for consideration. If the soil is light, 

 more moisture will be needed than in heavier land. 



