282 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



desirable that seedlings should be in a bearing state as quickly 

 as possible. At the present time it is not lumsual to see pear 

 trees bearing fruit in the eighth or ninth year of their existence 

 from seed. This early bearing is ascribed to various causes. 

 The late Van Mons attributed it chiefly to successive sow- 

 ings, in consequence of which the last generation of pear 

 trees has arrived at a more civilized state. This opinion is 

 generally adopted, and appears to be supported by the results 

 obtained. 



Others partly attribute this precocity to good management, 

 according to which the seedlings are raised agreeably to the 

 principles above pointed out. One of the principal causes is 

 the biennial removal of the trees, and a good system of prun- 

 ing, whereby the useless wood is removed, and the force of 

 vegetation concentrated in the part of the tree where fruit is 

 most likely to be first produced. 



After a seedling begins to show for fruit, it should not be 

 removed until we can form a definite opinion of its produc- 

 tions. 



In a special article connected with this subject we shall 

 point out the means to be taken for fixing the character of a 

 ii,ew and good variety, so as to prevent any future change of 

 ,name. But it is necessary, in the first place, to state the 

 characters by which promising seedlings may be distinguish- 

 ed from such as are unpromising. 



THE CULTIVATION OF POMPONE CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 



The miniature or daisy-flowered chrysanthemums, which 

 have recently been so much improved by the French culti- 

 vators, are yearly becoming greater favorites ; and are dis- 

 placing to a considerable extent the larger flowered kinds. It 

 is not surprising that they should : for the perfection to which 

 the flowers have been brought has given them a prominent 

 place in the collections of all amateurs of beautiful plants. 



The chrysanthemum has always been a favorite flower of 



