THE PEAR TREE ] 203 



great deal from one sort to another. The local Angelica 

 pear attains usually a height of 3 to 4 metres, with 

 about the same spread of branches, but other sorts 

 such as Beurre d'Angleterre, Duchesse de Berry, Clapp's 

 Favourite, Alliance Franco-Russe etc. hardly ever exceed 

 i^ metres in height or in spread. However, except 

 for a few varieties, it will be found that the best 

 distance at which to plant is 2 metres apart in the 

 row, and 3 metres between one row and another. This 

 of course applies to the open orchard where trees are 

 trained as pyramids or as bushes. For the spindle 

 or fusiform shape (fuseaux) and for cordons the distance 

 apart should be much smaller, and the distance for 

 the espallier or contre-espallier must vary according 

 to circumstances. The distance apart for pear trees 

 planted as a border in the vegetable garden should 

 be ample, so that .the trees may not reach each other 

 with their branches, and throw on the ground a 

 continuous shade which would interfere with the proper 

 development of the vegetables. 



CULTIVATION. As in the case of most fruit trees, 

 the surface roots of the pear are those which are 

 chiefly concerned in the production of fruit, and have 

 a direct influence on the productiveness of the tree 

 as well as on the quality of its fruit. To the deep 

 roots the tree owes its vigour and the formation of 

 wood. This axiom already known to and accepted 

 by the ancients, is still unchallenged and the cultivator 

 cannot ignore it with impunity. Hence deep trenching 

 should be undertaken at long intervals of six or eight 

 years, when the tree has lost much of its vigour owing 

 to excessive production, and it is thought advisable 

 to give it a resting period of one year and the chance 

 to recuperate its vigour and to form new wood. In 

 deep trenching the soil is moved to the depth of 

 20 to 25 c. m. a liberal supply of well consumed 

 manure being given at the same time, so that the 



