CHAPTER XVII 

 The Pear 



THE Pear as an orchard tree is long lived, though, if planted 

 on the Pear Stock, as standard orchard trees are, many years 

 pass before a full crop is obtained. For garden cultivation, 

 in bush or pyramid form, the Pear ought to be on the Quince 

 Stock ; it then begins to bear fruit at an early age, and does 

 not make such vigorous growth as trees on the Pear Stock 

 do. This, then, is the form in which the Pear should be grown 

 by amateurs with comparatively small gardens. The Pear 

 thrives in ordinary ground, though with a preference for that 

 which is rather light than clayey. It does not, however, 

 do well in really light ground, as the Cherry, for example, 

 does. 



Although the Pear is most commonly grown in the open 

 garden, it makes an excellent wall tree, and may be planted 

 on a wall facing south, west, or east. It is perhaps not worth 

 while to give up a south wall to the Pear, if Peaches and Nec- 

 tarines are to be grown, but it may well find a place facing 

 west or east. Even on a north wall the Pear does fairly well, 

 and for training against an espalier in the open it is well suited. 



As a trained tree the Pear is usually grown fan shape or 

 as a horizontal espalier, in which the branches are in horizontal 

 tiers some 18 inches from each other. In some old gardens the 

 Pear has been planted to cover a semicircular wire trellis, the 

 trees being planted on each side and trained towards the top, 

 where they met. It thrives well in this way, and when the 

 trellis is covered it is quite attractive. Moreover, the trees 

 are easily attended to, for one can reach the top of the trellis 

 from each side. 



The Pear is suitable also for training as a cordon, and in 

 this form may be planted against a trellis or wall. Pyramid 

 Pears in the open garden ought to be put about 9 feet apart ; 

 fan-trained or horizontal espaliers against a wall should be 15 feet 



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