DWARF PEARS. 295 



accommodate itself to any depth of planting. The 

 union of the pear with it is not so perfect as it 

 would be with its own species ; therefore, if this 

 point of junction is above the surface, a great strain 

 is brought upon it by the wind, which sometimes 

 results in its parting. This, of course, ruins the 

 tree. The borer is very fond of the quince, and he 

 makes his attacks at the surface of the soil. By 

 placing the junction three inches below the level 

 of the soil, it is beyond his attack, and the pear 

 stock, like a cutting, soon throws out roots, which 

 strengthen the hold of the tree at the same time 

 that they lengthen its longevity. If the quince 

 decays, the pear roots maintain the tree in fruitful- 

 ness. 



The question may arise, What is the advantage 

 of placing the pear tree upon the quince stock at 

 all, if it is to be on its own roots in the end "? The 

 union between the two has been said not to be 

 perfect, because the pear is naturally a much more 

 vigorous grower than the quince. Being united 

 with the latter, it must receive nourishment only as 

 fast as the quince would give it to its head. By 

 this the pear is to a degree stunted or matured, and 

 that slow circulation of the sap is induced which is 

 promotive of fruitfulness. This may be encouraged 

 to an extreme, and the cultivator who argues against 

 dwarf pears, and complains of their stunted growth, 

 want of productiveness, and yellow leaf, will be able, 



