54 FRUIT BOOK. 



should be suffered to remain upon the whole ex- 

 tent of the tree, as they will then ordinarily form 

 fruit buds upon each spur. 



These trees are admirably adapted for small 

 gardens, occupying but little space, less exposed 

 to high winds ; thus affording greater security to 

 heavy fruit. One of the new Flemish pears, the 

 " Duchess d* Angouleme," when grown as a 

 dwarf, produces larger fruit than when upon a 

 wilding. When pears are worked upon the wild 

 species, apples upon crabs, and peaches upon 

 peaches, the scion is, in regard to fertility, says 

 Lindley, " exactly in the same state as if it had 

 not been grafted at all ; while, on the other hand, 

 a great increase of fertility is the result of graft- 

 ing pears upon quinces, peaches upon plums, ap- 

 ples upon the thorn, and the like. In these cases, 

 the food absorbed from the earth, by the root of 

 the stock, is communicated slowly." No other in- 

 fluence have we ever noticed exercised by the 

 scion upon the stock. 



Deep soils are not necessary for the pear ; from 

 eighteen to twenty-four inches are quite sufficient. 

 Pruning is not often wanted in the culture of this 

 fruit as a standard. Some few kinds there are 

 that resemble the apple in their growth, that re- 

 quire cutting to keep them from superfluous 

 branches ; those particularly of pendant or weep- 

 ing habit. This tree, under good management 

 and in favorable soils, may be continued in health 

 and vigor for a greater length of time than almost 

 any other fruit-bearing tree. When the pear 

 tree grows too luxuriantly, and consequently un- 

 productive, pruning the roots, or bending the 

 branches downwards (the latter course we prefer), 



