I 3 i THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



TRAINING PEAR TREES. 



The pear is trained in more forms than any other fruit tree, and the shapes must accord 

 with the purpose and position for which the trees are required. Standards worked on 

 pear stocks are only eligible for orchards or market gardens, where the ground between 

 is cropped with bush fruits. Dwarf standards on the quince or double-grafted are very 

 suitable for kitchen gardens. Quince stocks must be worked as closely as possible to 

 the soil ; if grafted much above ground, the pear would probably enlarge faster than the 

 stock, forming an unsightly thickening, and the tree not thrive satisfactorily. No part 

 of the quince should be exposed to the air. The training of standard trees is fully treated 

 in Vol. II., pages 26 28, and shown in Fig. 15, L 0, page 26. 



Pyramids. Handsome specimens over 15 feet high are occasionally seen in gardens. 

 Those on the pear grow the largest, but trees on the quince or double-grafted are the 

 best for gardens, if space is limited. The pyramid form is naturally assumed by many 

 varieties. Instructions for training trees in this shape are given in Vol. II., pages 1 10, 

 and examples from the smallest planting trees to those of fruiting size in Figs. 1 4, 

 AL. 



Bushes. Varieties of diffuse habit, and which produce large fruit, are best grown in 

 this form. On the quince they produce fruit freely, and are ornamental. They are 

 specially suited for small gardens, and are both useful and easily managed. For their 

 training see pages 1013, and Fig. 5, M0, page 11, Vol. II. Varieties of erect habit 

 succeed excellently in cup form page 179, and Fig. 45, D J, Vol. I. Perhaps no system 

 of training is more pleasing and appeals more to the taste and requirement of the amateur 

 than the goblet-shaped bush, page 13, Fig. 6, P #, Vol. II. Trees in this form on the 

 quince stock may be planted 6 feet apart, and be kept at any required height. When 

 in full bearing they are ornamental and profitable. 



Columnar Trees. This form has a general resemblance to the Open Bush, Figs. 7 8, 

 page 14, Vol. II. Though the habits of pears differ somewhat from those of apple trees, 

 the same principles apply in originating and training the growths, and it is well to 

 permit each variety to assume its natural form. Such trees are suited for fields or 

 gardens, especially when the cultivators cannot devote much time to the shaping of their 

 trees. Characteristic pear trees in bush, pyramid, and columnar form are shown in the 

 engravings, page 133. 



Neither the columnar nor the bush form has a central stem, but a series of branches ori- 

 ginated by heading the maiden tree, as shown in Fig. 47, P ; the treatment in the second 



