io THE BOOK OF PEARS AND PLUMS 



In former years the seeds of the wild pear were used to 

 raise new stocks, but at the present time pear seedlings 

 are sent from France to England and the United States in 

 large quantities. Our cousins, however, are exerting 

 themselves earnestly to improve the pear, and with their 

 energy and variety of climate, will not long be dependent 

 upon France. 



ORCHARD TREES 



In good soil and a favourable, well-sheltered aspect, 

 standard trees on the pear stock may be a success if 

 planters and owners can wear the cap of patience for 

 eight to ten years. Should it be probable that cattle 

 will use the ground, a strong and lasting fence must be 

 put round each tree, as thorns encircling them will not 

 suffice. Iron fences made for the purpose, with wire 

 netting added at the top, may be the cheapest in the 

 end. Otherwise, put three posts (larch or oak) to form 

 a triangle round the tree. These should be well charred 

 or tarred at some distance from the lower end before 

 being firmly driven in. The tops should slant out- 

 wards. Then nail cross-pieces to the posts ; old railway- 

 sleepers are sometimes cheap and useful. The standards 

 in good soil should be thirty feet apart or more. It is 

 a mistake to allow the grass at any time to grow under 

 the trees. Moisture which pears require is absorbed, 

 and the air is kept from the roots. Reduce the branches 

 after planting (in October or November) to five or six 

 at the most ; cut these back, to an outer eye, six to nine 

 inches from the stem. The roots will establish them- 

 selves for the first year, and good growth will usually 

 follow. The strength of a tree depends mainly on its 

 roots. These must not be overtasked at first, or the 

 tree will suffer seriously. Next year, late in July, 

 cut back to the sixth leaf all shoots springing from 



