542 THE PEAR. 



of the tree will effectually destroy mosses and lichens. After the bark 

 of a tree has been washed with this mixture, the first shower will 

 re-dissolve it, and convey it into the most minute crevice, so as effec- 

 tually to destroy any insects that may have escaped. There are 

 several species of weevil which attack the young shoots of the apple- 

 tree, or bore into their blossom-buds before they expand in spring. 

 There are also several species of moth, some butterflies, and the aphis 

 and chermes mali, but very little can be done either to prevent the 

 attacks of these insects, or to destroy them after they have rmide their 

 appearance. Smoke of any kind, such as from damp straw, if the heads 

 of the trees can be enveloped in it, will bring down caterpillars, and by 

 destroying these the number produced next season will be lessened. 

 Tobacco-water or strong soot-water thrown over the tree with an 

 engine, will kill or remove the aphis and chermes. Lime-water will 

 destroy the caterpillars of all insects that live on the leaves of plants ; 

 but neither it nor tobacco-water can be readily brought in contact with 

 the larvaB of beetles and other insects that live in the interior of the 

 bud or shoot (see our Chapter on Insects, and the different modes of 

 destroying them, and also that on the Diseases and Accidents to 

 which Plants are liable, pp. 52, 74); but the maintenance of the tree in 

 perfect health is the most powerful antidote to insect pests, as the 

 latter prey mostly upon debilitated plants. 



The Pear. 



The pear (Pyrus communis, L.) is a deciduous tree of a more up- 

 right and regular form than the apple-tree, and of greater duration. 

 It is indigenous in the woods of most parts of Europe, and also in 

 many parts of Asia ; but it is not native in North America. The wild 

 pear differs from the apple in growing on poorer soil, having a larger 

 and more permanent tap root, and in a seedling state not coming so 

 soon into bearing. The pear in its cultivated state is found in the 

 gardens of all civilized countries, more especially in those of temperate 

 climates. In Britain it forms a leading article in the dessert, from 

 July to March, or later. 



Uses. The fruit. of the pear is more esteemed in the dessert than 

 that of the apple, but the latter is much more valuable in the kitchen. 

 The pear is used for baking, stewing, compotes, and marmalades. Pared 

 and dried in the sun, the fruit will keep several years, either with or 

 without sugar, and those sorts which are loss esteemed for the table 

 are found to answer best for this mode of drying and preserving. Perry 

 is made from the expressed juice of the pear, fermented in the manner 

 of cider, and when well made irom the most suitable kinds of fruit, it is 

 more highly prized than cider. The tree has not its white blossoms 

 tinged with red, like those of the apple, but it grows to a greater 

 height and assumes a more pyramidal shape : the leaves die off in 

 autumn of a richer yellow or red ; and the tree being of greater duration 

 than the apple, it is from these properties better adapted for ornamental 

 plantations. The wood is light, smooth, and compact, and much used 



