54 



SITES AND SHELTER OF PEAR ORCHARDS. 



Low situations should be avoided on account of the greater extremes 

 of temperature prevalent in valleys than places of moderate elevation, 

 and the consequent probability of injury from late spring and early 

 winter frosts. A sloping hillside, contiguous to a well-defined valley, 

 forms the choicest orchard site, not only for pears, but for other fruits 

 as well. To insure the greatest advantage from position the trees 

 should not be planted lower than within 100 feet of upright elevation 

 from the lowest point in the valley. The cold air will then settle dur- 

 ing the night in a stratum below the trees, and the warm air accumu- 

 lated in the lower ground during the day will be pressed up to the 

 higher altitude occupied by the orchard, and thus afford considerable 

 protection in cold nights. 



The obvious necessity of shelter to pear orchards has led, in some 

 instances, to the mistake of selecting low grounds for their apparently 

 well-protected position, which, for the reasons given above, are the 

 worst possible localities. Contrasted with valley planting, even what 

 might be termed bleak exposures have the preference, and the unsatis- 

 factory results attending orchards in low protected grounds has led to 

 a supposition that shelter is injurious rather than beneficial. 



The addition of shelter to an otherwise judiciously selected site is 

 altogether different from endeavoring to secure it by choosing a low 

 situation. The efficacy of protection is now generally well understood, 

 especially by those who attempt pear culture in regions that are com- 

 paratively treeless. ' Even the White Doyenne, the famed Virgalieu, or 

 butter pear, worthless in exposed situations, is produced in all its priy- 

 tine excellence where the tree is protected, as may be seen in many old 

 gardens in cities, where this variety is very common. 



The shelter required is not so much to repel or alleviate mere ther- 

 mometric cold as it is to arrest evaporation and its accompanying ex- 

 haustion of vitality, by checking the rapid and penetrating action of dry 

 winds. 



Evergreen trees afford the most perfect shelter in the least space. A 

 single row of Norway firs, Austrian pines, or other equally hardy ever- 

 green trees will give shelter for a considerable distance ; thickly planted 

 belts of deciduous trees will also render effective service. How far 

 apart these belts and hedges should be placed, and in what direction 

 they will be most useful, will depend upon the surroundings and local 

 specialties. As the best mode of draining the field will depend upon 

 its surface undulations, so the best mode of sheltering will be guided 

 by the general aspect and position of the orchard. 



SOIL. 



The pear will exist in a variety of soils, but attains greatest perfec- 

 tion in clayey loam. Even on stiff clays the tree will grow and pro- 



