THE PEAR TREE ] 197 



with this substance. When the shoots have formed, 

 the most vigorous is retained to become the future 

 stem of the tree and is secured to a pole to protect 

 it from injury and to train it straight, the others are 

 nipped off leaving only the lower rosette of leaves to 

 favour the movement of the sap, and later on in July 

 or August they are cut off clean, as by that time the 

 wound caused by the cleavage of the stock will have 

 healed almost completely. In this manner only one 

 shoot is retained even when both scions have been 

 successful. For grafting standard at a height above the 

 ground the primitive method above referred to is of 

 course not applicable, and the second method with 

 shortened scions and the use of grafting wax is necessarily 

 adopted. Moreover as standards are more exposed to 

 the drying action of wind it is advisable to graft late, 

 at the last moment, when the buds of the scions are 

 about to move. 



TRAINING. Most varieties of the pear when grown 

 on a single stem naturally assume the form of a 

 pyramid, and this is the form most suitable for an 

 extensive plantation as well as for the small cultivator, 

 and the pyramidal form is easily maintained without 

 requiring much attention and without taxing the skill 

 of the pruner. Certain varieties are apt to throw up 

 a long and vigorous leader, often attended by an 

 uneven distribution of branches. This tendency may be 

 corrected by topping the leader, with the result that 

 branches are formed at once around it, and the last 

 bud usually forms a second leader which takes the 

 place of the first. Sometimes two or three leaders are 

 formed, and of course the best is retained, the others 

 being topped or bent down to become lateral branches, if 

 they happen to be situated below the one retained, but 

 if they are situated above it, then they must be sacrificed, 

 shortening back the original leader to the level of 

 the bud from which the second leader has sprung. 



