214 On Root pruning of Pear Trees; 



and this completely fulfilled my anticipations. I have pruned 

 thus radically for five seasons, and with the most satisfactory 

 result. 



"The five following paragraphs refer to specimens of bearing 

 branches, sent to the Horticultural Society, with this paper. 



"Shoots of the Autumn Bon Chretien of last season's growth 

 were only three to four inches long, the root having been 

 pruned December, 1838. A tree in this state should have 

 one or even two years' rest, that is, its roots should not be 

 again primed till it makes shoots, six to eight inches long in 

 one season. 



"The Passe Madeleine, whose roots were pruned in De- 

 cember, 1838, has made no shoots, but is covered with blos- 

 som buds; the roots of this, may also have one, or, if it makes 

 no vigorous shoots the ensuing season, even two years' rest. 



"In the Vallee Franche, the maximum of last year's shoots 

 was four inches; this tree was arrested by root pruning in 

 December, 1838, and is now covered with blossom buds. 

 As this variety is inclined to vigorous growth, it will not be 

 proper to give it more than one year's rest, and this, in 

 general will be found enough for all trees that are strong 

 growers; for those of more slender growth, two and often 

 three years' cessation from root-pruning will be necessary to 

 prevent the fruit being small and inclined to grittiness, a 

 common fault in pears that Jack nourishment from the soil or 

 the stock. 



"The Autumn Bergamot is well known to have supported 

 the Herefordshire distich, 



"He who plants pears, 

 Plants for his heirs." 



"With root-pruning, it seems inclined to be as prolific as the 

 new varieties. 1 may here mention, that a Gansel's Berga- 

 mot, being pruned rather too harshly in December, 1S3S, 

 bloomed most profusely last spring, and died in the summer. 



"In the Winter Nelis, the last season's growth was three 

 inches; the tree is now covered with blossom buds. 



"In all these cases, the shoots are in a state of perfection as 

 regards prospective fruitfulness. 



"It novi^ only remains for me to give some hints and direc- 

 tions as to the mode of operation. The best description of 

 trees for what I may perhaps be allowed to call garden or- 



