258 CALIFORNIA FRUITS: HOW TO GROW THEM 



It has been learned by experience that the pear will flourish on soil 

 somewhat alkaline. At the University Agricultural Experiment Station 

 at Tulare, this subject was demonstrated in detail. It was shown that 

 though the pear endures a certain amount of alkali its limit of endur- 

 ance may be often exceeded and there is little warrant to select alkali 

 soil for pears, unless it be to fill a space that would otherwise be vacant 

 in the orchard. If it is not too alkaline the pears will thrive. If gyp- 

 sum be used in planting, somewhat stronger alkali will be endured than 

 otherwise. 



PROPAGATION AND PLANTING 



The use of dwarfing stock for the pear has been nearly abandoned 

 in this State, though in early years the quince was largely used. The 

 most prominent orchard on quince stock is that of A. Block, of Santa 

 Clara, where may be seen dwarf trees originally planted eight feet 

 apart in squares, but now wider spaced by removing part of the trees ; 

 the remainder doing exceedingly well under liberal manuring and irri- 

 gation. It would, however, require special investigation to determine 

 whether these trees are still dependent upon the quince or whether 

 they have developed roots from the pear wood above. 



It is quite possible that, at least for gardens, there may be in the 

 future more use made of dwarf trees, but for commercial orchards 

 there appears no need of dwarfing. The common conclusion is that it 

 is better to have fewer trees and larger ones, but since the pear blight 

 became an issue in this State the Angiers quince has been advocated as 

 a means of maintaining a sound root and keeping the warfare above 

 ground. 



The following varieties are commended for cultivation on quince 

 stock as dwarfs, experience proving them vigorous growers and abun- 

 dant bearers in suitable localities: Bartlett, Beurre Hardy. Doyenne 

 du Cornice, Duchess d'Angouleme, Glout Morceau, Pound, Beurre Diel, 

 White Doyenne, Easter Beurre, Winter Nelis, P. Barry, Winter Bart- 

 lett. 



But the pear is usually grown in California on its own roots : that 

 is upon imported French pear seedlings. It comes into bearing early 

 enough, and is a long-lived tree unless badly attacked by blight. Trees 

 are grown by either budding or grafting, as described in the chapter 

 on that subject. Only good seedling roots should be used, and not 

 suckers from old trees. The Japanese stock, so called, being seedlings 

 from the Sand pear, of Asia, is now being widely used because of con- 

 fidence in it as measurably blight resistant, while it is also less subject 

 to attack by woolly aphis, has been used to some extent, but no definite 

 results reported. Propagation upon rooted cuttings of the Le Conte, 

 which has a measurable resistance to the pear blight, has been advised 

 for the purpose of securing less susceptible roots, but Japanese seed- 

 lings are easier to secure and to work with than rooted cuttings. Mr. 

 M. B. Waite, orchard pathologist of the United States Department of 

 Agriculture, has in progress a test of many cross-bred seedlings in the 

 hope of reaching a hardier seedling stock for pears than is now known. 



