FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. 413 



foreborne their cultivation, in the belief that it was difficult in 

 itself, and that he would have to wait half a lifetime for his 

 first fruits. 



The best soil for the pear is undoubtedly a stout loam, lean- 

 ing to clay, but friable, and not wet in the winter, nor liable to 

 crack in the summer. Such a soil is retentive of moisture and 

 of manure, and has the property of holding potash with great 

 tenacity ,* a manure which is of great importance to the pear. 



If the purchaser is not in haste to see his first fruits, but 

 desires to have the best formed trees, he will buy them of 

 rather small size, as the roots will be less likely to be muti- 

 lated in the transplanting, and the tree will be more easily led 

 into the shape he desires to give it, whether standard, pyramid, 

 or espalier; this last form being only necessary against a fence, 

 or with some very tender kinds. We think the pyramid the 

 most natural and beautiful form and would recommend our 

 readers to go to the nurseries of Messrs. Horey & Co., in 

 Cambridge, to see the finest specimens of pyramidal training 

 in the country. The lower branches should be very near the 

 ground, and the leading shoot should be pruned or pinched 

 back at such distances as will compel the formation of succes- 

 sive tiers of branches at proper distances, say twelve to 

 eighteen inches. 



In planting, dig a hole three feet deep and three feet in 

 diameter. If your soil be light, put into the bottom of the hole 

 three inches in depth of clay ; if it be heavy, put ten or twelve 

 inches of stones to secure a good drainage. If you have per- 

 fectly ripe compost, mix it liberally among the earth about the 

 roots ; if your compost is raw, put it in the bottom of the hole 

 and cover it with earth, and let nothing but the mellow earth 

 come in contact with the roots. Plant three or four inches 

 above the level of the ground to allow for the settling of the 

 earth ; press the earth gently after planting, and, if dry weather 

 ensue, mulch with a little fresh grass ; if the earth gets dry, 

 water at evening, taking care not to water too much, as this 

 soddens the roots, remembering to keep the ground moist but 

 not wet. 



Bone dust is a very valuable manure for the pear, as is also 

 ashes ; one quart of the former and two quarts of the latter. 



