12 THE BOOK OF PEARS AND PLUMS 



2, Fertility 2. Personally, I prefer Pitmaston as a bush, 

 the fruit being so large. It is a pear for a good market, 

 not a coster's fruit. Ten trees of three varieties would 

 make a good orchard. Vicar of Winkfield or Verulam 

 might be added for a later Stewing Pear. The bloom 

 of Marie Louise is so tender that I prefer Marie Louise 

 d'Uccle, a very good cropper ; the fruit is sometimes 

 sold as Marie Louise. The list of 1885 is hardly up 

 to date. Louise Bonne does not do well with me as a 

 standard, and I should substitute Fertility. Clapp's 

 Favourite is also very promising. 



If the plantation is of any size, do not put two trees 

 of the same variety close together. Some varieties are 

 self-sterile, yet quite capable of cross-fertilisation from 

 the pollen of other varieties. Bees should be kept close 

 at hand to fertilise the blooms. 



The following is Mr Radcliffe Cook's list of orchard 

 standards for Perry (see his " Cider and Perry") : 



Barland, Moorcroft, Red Pear, Taynton Squash, early 

 varieties. 



Langland, Yellow and Black HufFcup, midsummer. 



Blakeney Red, Butt Pear, Oldfield, Pine Pear, Rock 

 Pear, late. 



It is said that in France there are more than 1500 

 varieties of Perry Pears. We must " wake up" and 

 grow the best varieties. 



PYRAMIDS 



No one should plant high standards except under 

 special circumstances; pyramids are a part of almost every 

 large and good fruit-garden. In moist, strong soils they 

 should be on the Quince Stock. In light soils the Pear 

 Stock alone has a chance. Some trees succeed only as 

 bushes, others can be trained as pyramids. The lists of 

 the leading nurserymen usually refer to the habits of 



