292 PEAR GROWING IN CALIFORNIA. 



CHAPTER IV. 



SELECTION AND CARE OF TREES FOR PLANTING. 



In buying trees it is well first of all to know the nurseryman with 

 whom one is dealing, and to insist upon good stock. Such stock usually 

 sells for a good price. The man who buys cheap trees is laying the best 

 possible foundation for a cheap orchard, as cheap trees, in practically 

 every case, are inferior trees. This rule is, of course, subject to excep- 

 tions, as it frequently happens that very large two or three-year-old trees 

 are sold for a high price simply because of their size, even though they 

 are usually inferior to smaller trees. Generally speaking the trees that 

 are quoted at very low figures are culls which have failed to develop in 

 the nursery as other trees grown under exactly the same conditions, 

 or trees which have had a large part of the root-system cut away in 

 digging. Such stock is often inherently weak and will never make first- 

 class trees in the orchard. The best trees are those that have had one 

 year's growth in the nursery, after budding or grafting has been done. 

 Under ordinary conditions the tops of such trees are unbranched and 

 are what the nurseryman knows as one-year whips. 



Varieties should be chosen according to the best knowledge that can 

 be obtained as to their adaptation to the existing conditions of the 

 locality where they are to be planted. In nearly every neighborhood 

 there are bearing trees of various sorts which will serve as a guide in 

 selecting for the orchard. Those that are known to do well under 

 similar conditions can be safely selected ; those that are a failure should 

 not be considered. If no bearing trees can be found conclusions may 

 be drawn after finding out what varieties do well elsewhere under 

 similar conditions of soil and climate. In California the Bartlett is 

 by far the most popular pear, and generally speaking the choice of 

 varieties is difficult only in the case of selecting a few trees of some other 

 kind to plant with the Bartlett for the purpose of cross-pollination. As 

 this matter will be discussed fully under the heading of "Varieties" it 

 is not necessary to dwell Upon it further here. 



FREEDOM FROM DISEASE AND INSECT PESTS. 



Pear trees are subject to attack by some very serious diseases and 

 insect and mite pests. All stock should be carefully examined in order 

 that the presence of anything detrimental might be detected. The 

 county horticultural commissioners and their inspectors are constantly 

 on the lookout for these things, but the planter himself, when he pur- 

 chases trees, should also inspect them so carefully that he will know just 

 exactly their condition. Such pests as borers and crown gall are easily 

 detected, and affected trees when found should be condemned for plant- 

 ing. The roots should be examined very carefully for the woolly or root 

 aphis of the pear, which is one of the most serious pests attacking this 

 tree. A description of this insect may be found in the chapter dealing 

 with insect pests. If this pest is known to occur in the nursery where the 



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