PEARS. 



47 



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 unproductive, pruning the roots, 

 or bending the branches downwards, (the latter 

 course we prefer,) will generally check its luxuriant 

 growth, and throw it into a bearing state. The 

 pear being a more hardy tree than the apple, is less 

 liable to the attacks of insects. The most annoying, 

 however, is a species of coccus or miniature tortoise, 

 which attaches itself to the bark. This insect is 

 common to the apple in some gardens. Our method 

 of destroying them is to wash the bark with a strong 

 solution of whale-oil soap and water, applying it 

 with a stiff brush. Young trees are sometimes 

 almost wholly incrusted with this coccus. 



A selection of twenty-six varieties of pears we 

 would recommend for a garden : 



