368 AMERICAN HOME GARDEN. 



ing either straggling or rampant. Such should be carefully 

 watched and summer pruned by nipping, and, if need be, by 

 cutting back in August. The Seckel, and, still more striking- 

 ly, the Lodge, when growing naturally on moderate soil, afford 

 models for the general formation of the head of pear-trees, al- 

 though each of these may need to have the young cross-shoots 

 nipped out, and occasionally, perhaps, the shortening of a vig- 

 orous upright leader. 



The distance for planting pear-trees may be from twenty to 

 thirty feet each way, the trees being .alternated or in diamond 

 form, not in precise squares. Dwarfed pears may be set from 

 six to ten feet apart. 



The best soil for pears, in general, is a deep warm loam, but 

 there are varieties suited to all soils ; and even from those 

 which are cold and unpromising, if the hardier and sweeter 

 summer and fall varieties are selected, fruit of fair quality may 

 be obtained, if it is properly treated after being gathered. 



Winter pears may be suffered to hang as long as they are 

 safe from frost, but all the varieties of summer and fall pears 

 should be gathered before they " turn" upon the tree, and be 

 kept in a warm, dry room to hasten their ripening ; but if it be 

 an object to retard this, or for all winter kinds, let them be 

 wrapped and packed in barrels or boxes as directed for the finer 

 apples, page 289. On being brought from their cool place of 

 deposit into the warmth in such small quantities as may from 

 time to time be desirable, they will ripen promptly and finely 

 for use. 



There are as yet but few very fine winter or spring varieties 

 of pears, and the variableness of character above referred to is 

 perhaps more noticeable and more discouraging to the cultiva- 

 tor in these than in the ordinary summer and fall kinds, but 

 such as we have will well repay the care needed for preserving 

 and ripening them. 



Winter pears, suitable for cooking, abound, and may be kept 

 safely in barrels in the same manner as apples ; and when baked 

 or stewed as directed for the latter, page 289, but with water 

 enough to cover them, they constitute another healthful and 

 ploasant substitute for indigestible sweetmeats or preserves. 



