33 



in the formation of roots. As the trees are set at distances for dwarfs, 

 this operation would not be desirable unless a portion of the trees were 

 taken out. 



Cultivation. 



The cultivation of the soil is of the highest importance after the 

 trees have been set, and this should begin with the planting and be 

 regularly continued. When the trees begin to bear fruit freely, they 

 do not make so vigorous growth; and when growth ceases, the tree 

 will soon begin to decline, hence some fertilizer should be applied. 

 In addition to bearing fruit, the trees should make an annual growth 

 of from 6 to 10 inches; and to obtain this, annual tilling of the soil is 

 necessary. Sod-bound trees will make little or no growth, and will 

 produce but little and inferior fruit. 



After the trees are planted, the soil should be harrowed and no 

 crops grown. This will keep down weeds, and make the soil loose and 

 in condition to retain sufficient moisture for the needs of the trees. 

 The harrowing should be continued until the middle or last of July, 

 by which time, after the trees begin to bear, the fruit will be well 

 developed and will fill out to full size. 



The soil should then have a cover crop to carry it over the winter 

 without loss from the thorough tillage given. For this purpose clover 

 is excellent, as it restores the nitrogen that is taken up by the trees 

 and the fruit, while its roots and top hold and cover the soil during the 

 winter, and prevent the washing away of fine soil, as also the nitrates 

 that have been set free from the frequent summer tillage. A mixture 

 of crimson and the common red clover seed, in equal parts, 18 pounds 

 to the acre, is desirable to sow, as the former makes a quick autumn 

 growth, while the latter will generally remain in the soil through the 

 winter and spring. Both kinds add nitrogen to the soil while growing, 

 and their roots aid in holding moisture after being plowed in the fol- 

 lowing spring. 



As the pear tree needs constant tillage of the soil and does not 

 withstand too much nitrogen, it is well to omit the clover cover crop 

 for one or two years at a time, and substitute rye instead, which does 

 not add nitrogen, as it has not the power or function of the clover 

 plant to utilize the free nitrogen of the air. The rye when it is used 

 should be sown at the rate of 1-J- bushels to the acre, and sown by the 

 middle or the last of August. All cover crops should be plowed in 

 early in the spring, or as soon as the soil is dry enough. If allowed 

 to grow in the spring, cover crops take up the water from the soil very 

 rapidly, and for this reason soil that has upon it cover crops may be 

 plowed a week earlier than that which is naked. 



The cost of the clover seed mixture would, one year with another, 

 be about $1.90 and the rye $1.20 per acre. In some places, where 

 August 1 would be too late to sow clover, winter vetch may be used. 



The cultivation for standard and dwarf trees should be the same. 



