PLANTING 



PROTECTION 



As the Pear needs sunshine and warmth as well as 

 moisture, it must have protection from cold winds. 

 Walls and buildings are not always to be had. Black 

 Italian or Canadian poplars well planted and rather close 

 together soon form a good shelter ; limes (invaluable for 

 bees) quickly make a good fence if encouraged to throw 

 shoots from the lower part of the tree and closely cut in. 

 Hedges of damsons or the myrobalan (the cherry plum) 

 serve as shelters from the wind and grow rapidly. This 

 cherry plum blooms early, and its flower is often cut off; 

 otherwise its fruit (ripe in August) is useful for tarts. 

 Protection is needed on the south-west against the winds 

 as well as on the north-east. The larger trees should be 

 placed at some distance that their roots may not absorb 

 the nourishment needed in the fruit garden. 



PLANTING 



seems a simple subject, yet the difference between 

 good and bad work may make the difference between 

 success and failure. Proper planting is of vital im- 

 portance. The ground should be prepared before- 

 hand. If it is wet, and the water does not readily pass 

 off, drainage is essential. The depth of the drains must 

 depend on the outfall. If they can be sunk three or even 

 four feet below the surface, they are less exposed to 

 danger from deep trenching or the roots above them. 

 The drains should be about five yards apart. The soil 

 should then be well trenched and exposed thoroughly to 

 the action of the atmosphere. But beware of opening 

 holes some time beforehand. Should rain come, the 

 holes will be filled, and if the soil is heavy, may remain 

 there for some time. Abstain, too, from planting in 

 wet weather. If the ground is sticky, the roots will not 



