78 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



the weaker. Do not plant more than three rows of one 

 sort together, as this would hinder or prevent cross- 

 pollination. 



All the Pears mentioned above are equally suitable 

 for training against the walls of buildings or garden walls, 

 also as espaliers or cordons. 



Choice Pears must be gathered very carefully, as we 

 have said in a previous chapter. Tomtits are often 

 troublesome with Pears, as they settle on the stalk and 

 peck at the end of the fruits, which will not then keep 

 in store. Such imperfect Pears can be stewed. A few 

 Sunflowers planted near will often prevent their depreda- 

 tions, as the birds are very fond of the Sunflower seeds. 



CHAPTER XVIII 

 PEARS AS STANDARDS 



THERE are some common Pears, such as the costers sell, 

 which pay well for cultivation although their quality 

 is but second-rate as they bear profusely and travel well ; 

 they mostly ripen early, and the trees have time to recover 

 themselves the same season. 



The earliest is the Lammas, a mealy fruit with a red 

 cheek. This is followed by the Crawford or Chalky Pear 

 of Kent, pale green with white, sweet flesh ; it is generally 

 ready for the August Bank Holiday. Both these Pears 



