i^o THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



if there is a height of 24 feet. Such noble trees, if well managed, bear splendid fruit 

 Marie Louise and Glou Morceau nearly a pound, and Beurre Diel and Pitmaston 

 Duchess over that weight each, Perhaps the largest and most highly coloured fruits 

 are produced by trees against walls facing the south, but east and west walls are profit- 

 ably covered in many places, yet there are miles of wall surface eligible for pear pro- 

 duction but wholly destitute of trees. Northern aspects, in most situations, are too 

 cold for the pear. 



All points considered, pear trees on the quince or double-grafted are best for 

 gardens, whatever the style of training may be. It is essential that the site be open 

 so that air and sun can reach the ground between the trees. Boundary walls and 

 boarded fences 5 to 7 feet in height, also walls of 12 to 15 feet in height, with south, 

 east, or west aspects, and with free exposure to sun, may be utilised for training pears 

 on the dwarfing stock. There are thousands of pearless gardens, both in rural and 

 suburban districts, in which a supply of delicious fruit may be grown for the household, 

 and, in many instances, some to spare. Varieties suitable for planting in the different 

 sites will be found in the selections, page 122. 



Planting. Before planting, the ground should have undergone due preparation. 

 That for trees intended for sheltering orchards should be treated as advised in Vol. I., 

 pages 83 85. Essential particulars for preparing soils will be found on pages 36 41, 

 and borders, pages 72 75. In unfavourable soils and low sites the ground may be 

 thrown up in ridges, as shown in Fig. 29, page 144. For guidance in choosing, taking 

 up, time and manner of planting, see pages 144 154, all the references given applying 

 to Vol. I. of this work. 



Distances between the Trees. On pear stocks in ordinary soils standards may be 

 planted 24 feet apart ; in rich, deep soils, 30 feet asunder, for forming orchards on grass 

 (see Vol. I., page 82). Where the ground is cultivated, the space between the per- 

 manent trees can be utilised by planting temporary ones, as shown in the plan, Fig. 14, 

 page 89, Vol. I. Pyramids have a fine effect along the sides of the principal walks in 

 gardens. They should be planted 12 feet apart in rich soil, and not less than 9 feet in 

 any case, always half the distance from the path the trees are apart. Temporary trees 

 can be planted between them for utilising the space, and subsequent removal. Espalier 

 trees are the most economical of space, and succeed admirably in borders along the 

 sides of paths, as shown in Fig. 10, page 73, Vol. I., but the fence should be 6 feet 

 high for trees on the pear. This admits of each tree having six branches on each side. 



