256 



one hundred and fifty to two hundred years, and still being vigorous, andl 

 in one case a tree is said to have been over four hundred years old. 



PREPARATION OF THE SOIL. 



As \vith all other fruit trees, in preparing the ground the work should 

 be done well at starting. If heavy and retentive, the ground should be 

 broken up to the depth of at least Bfteen inches. In the case of lighter 

 soils the necessity for deep working is not so great, as the roots will be 

 able to push their way. Drainage must be provided for whenever 

 necessary, and this will generally be the case in heavy land. When the 

 soils are sandy or gravelly there may be sufficient natural drainage. 

 When grown upon free stocks Pears require plenty of room for the 

 development of the trees, and should not stand closer than from twenty- 

 four to thirty feet apart. Some growers, however, prefer to have a 

 dwarfer class of trees, and this object can be attained by propagating 

 upon Quince stocks. Trees upon Quince stocks may be planted twelve to 

 fifteen feet apart. 



PRUNING. 



As a rule, the trees should be trained with low heads to afford shade to- 

 the stems in the early stages of growth and to better withstand the effects 

 of high winds. Young trees should be pruned so as to obtain a strong 

 wood growth, through a few of the branches, in the required directions. 

 Summer pruning, or disbudding, early in the season will be serviceable in 

 the case of young trees, as it conserves their strength and lessens the- 

 necessity for heavy winter cutting. Mature trees, as a rule, will require 

 but little pruning if they have been properly treated when young. All' 

 that is necessary is to thin out when the branches are too crowded, the 

 removal of rank, misplaced, or diseased shoots, and stopping those that 

 are straggling. Pears on free-growing stocks, and more especially when 

 growing in deep rich soils, have too often a tendency to make an over- 

 luxuriant growth of wood and produce but little fruit. The most effective 

 remedy in these cases is root pruning, and for directions as to how this- 

 should be done see page 45, volume 1. Ordinary pruning may be done 

 at any time when the trees are at rest, but the writer prefers to wait till 

 the latter part of the winter. 



TRAINING. 



Pear trees may be trained in various forms, according to the fancy of 

 the cultivator, the habit of the variety, and the nature of the climate. 

 They are most usually grown as standards in Australasia, either witk 

 globular or pyramidal heads. The upright -growing kinds adapt them- 

 selves readily to the latter form, and the spreading trees are better 

 trained in the first-named style. Sometimes trees are trained in the 

 conical, or " quenouille," style, but this form necessitates a good deal of 

 attention, though it is useful for small places where space is limited. 



