PEACHES 237 



Hale's Early. Melting and rich flavor. August. 



Elberta. Large, yellow with red cheek; of fine quality. September. 



Champion. Very large, white flesh; very productive. August. 



PEARS 



Successful Pear culture is only practicable where the condition 

 of the soil permits a free growth of wood. The trees may be planted 

 closer together than in the case of Apples, because the tendency of 

 the Pear tree is to grow tall rather than to spread out. Where an 

 Apple orchard is planted, Pear trees may be planted between the rows 

 until the Apple trees require the room, when they should be cut out 

 rather than encroach upon the room allowed for the Apple trees. 

 Pears come into bearing much quicker than Apples, and the trees never 

 assume large proportions. It is well to bear this in mind when plant- 

 ing, but a small Pear tree will produce liberally, and a careful selection 

 of varieties will give a long season of fruit. Pears delight in a heavy 

 soil, and as they bloom early in the season a sheltered position should 

 be selected where some protection may be had from a windbreak of 

 tall evergreens or group of buildings, or from the natural formation 

 of the place chosen, such as the shelter afforded by a hill. The tree 

 should be planted on the eastern slope when many are to be grown, but 

 in the small garden pyramids or espaliers should be used. These give 

 the best results, yielding a large amount of fruit in a restricted space. 

 Pears respond to good cultivation and will stand closer pruning than 

 Apples. The tall growing varieties should have the heads cut hard to 

 prevent the trees reaching too great a height, which makes the gather- 

 ing of the fruit difficult. It is good policy, therefore, to keep the trees 

 low and bushy. Pears make spurs freely, and in pruning, this fact 

 should be held in mind. Encourage a free, open, branching habit, 

 and prune to clothe the branches with fruit-bearing spurs, cutting out 

 all superfluous growth at the Spring pruning. 



Probably the worst enemy of the Pear is rust and fungus, an 

 attack of which causes the fruit to grow deformed and unsightly. A 

 frequent spraying with arsenate of lead, three pounds to fifty gallons 

 of water, will keep the foliage and fruit in good condition. This 

 should be applied immediately after the blossoms fall, and again about 

 three weeks later, and should any sign of fungous growth appear later, 

 another spraying should be given to insure good looking fruit and a 

 clean, healthy growth to the trees. 



Pears are usually grafted, and trees can be purchased much more 

 cheaply than they can be grown to a fruiting age. 



