94 FRUIT GROWING FOR AMATEURS 



planting time or in spring as a top-dressing, to be forked be- 

 neath the soil. Firm planting is essential, the soil being well 

 trodden about the roots. It is a mistake to plant deeply ; 

 if the uppermost roots are covered with about 2 inches of soil, 

 that will be sufficient. 



Pruning. The pruning of the Pear tree is simple. The 

 first thing of importance is to keep the branches thinly dis- 

 posed ; they ought to be quite 18 inches apart, and preferably 

 rather more. Summer pruning is important in Pear cultivation ; 

 in July, when the side shoots are about 8 inches long, they 

 should be cut off above the sixth leaf ; the leading shoots, 

 those that extend the branches, must not be touched. Other 

 secondary shoots will probably form a few weeks after the 

 side shoots have been pruned, and they ought to be " stopped " 

 as soon as they have made one or two leaves. 



Very often side shoots form in such numbers that if all are 

 left the branches will be crowded with growths. If there are 

 too many they ought to be cut off; the fruit spurs, which 

 eventually will be formed by. the side shoots, should not be 

 closer together than 8 inches or so. At the winter pruning, 

 which is carried out in January, the side shoots are cut back 

 to within one or two buds of the base, and the leading shoots, 

 which were left untouched at the summer pruning, are shortened 

 by one-third or, if weak, by one-half. 



If during their early years Pear trees grow vigorously, form- 

 ing strong branches upon which fruits do not form freely, root 

 pruning or lifting ought to be practised, as detailed in another 

 chapter. 



In spring, after pruning is completed, the ground around 

 and beneath the trees ought to be forked over ; in early summer, 

 after the fruits have set, a mulch of rotted yard manure is 

 beneficial. Care must be taken that tiees growing against a 

 wall, and especially a warm wall, do not become dry in spring 

 and summer, which they are very likely to do if not watered 

 freely. 



Varieties of Fears. There are so many varieties of Pears 

 that the amateur is likely, on consulting a catalogue, to experi- 

 ence difficulty in making a selection. One of the most satisfactory 

 for amateurs is Conference; it is ripe in October, and rarely 

 fails to bear & good crop. Other varieties to be recommended 

 are : Beurre Hardy, October ; Jargonelle, July, August ; William's 



