62 PRUNE TO INDUCE FRUITFULNESS. 



at the difference between the fruit produced on 

 young and old trees. The former are open, the 

 fruits are exposed to the sun, therefore they are not 

 only large and perfect, but their skins are smooth, 

 as though they were polished. This ought to teach 

 us something about pruning ; but this is only one 

 point. We prune one portion of a tree - to reduce 

 its size, and to favor the growth of another and 

 weaker part. We prune a stem, a branch or a shoot 

 to produce ramification of their parts, and thus 

 change and modify the whole form of the tree. We 

 prune to induce fruitfulness and to diminish it. We 

 prune in growing as well as in dormant seasons ; and 

 finally we prune both roots and branches. Thus we 

 see that pruning is applied to all parts of the trees 

 at all seasons, and to produce the most opposite 

 results." 



From my own experience, and from what I have 

 learned of those who have been engaged in growing 

 pears on the most approved methods, all appear to 

 have come to the conclusion, that the pyramidal or 

 conical is the best form for standard as well as 

 dwarf pears, for the following reasons : 



1st. The largest surface is nearest the ground, 

 and therefore less likely to suffer from heavy winds. 



2d. The fruit is not injured by falling from the 

 tree. 



