52 



correspond with the top. A large portion of these roots were 

 necessarily left in the ground, and ought not a part of the top 

 to be taken off to balance the tree ? Trees with plenty of 

 roots, that made a small growth the last season, will often do 

 well without much heading in ; but those that have grown 

 vigorously ought to be cut back severely — fietter nearly all the 

 last year's growth. This also applies to the peach and other 

 fast growing trees and shrubs. When the hot, dry weather 

 commences in summer, a heavy mulcliing will be found very 

 beneficial to newly planted trees. 



As to the best time for planting there is a variety of opinion — 

 our own experience would favor early spring, just as early as 

 the ground is dry and fine, though if the trees are dug early 

 and kept back, it is just as safe in May as in April. Where 

 the ground is not wet, early fall planting is generally success- 

 ful, and by many preferred. The distance apart again is a 

 subject of opinion. Our own advice would be to plant closely, 

 from twelve to fifteen feet, though it depends considerably 

 upon the variety ; some will die out every year, and after they 

 commence well to bear, will grow very slowly. This will 

 give three hundred and twenty-five to the acre, and fifteen feet 

 from each other, two hundred. When the ti-ees are young, any 

 low crop, like strawberries or garden vegetables, will not be 

 objectionable, nor when they are older, if it will be borne in 

 mind that the surface roots must not be cut oif. A better way 

 after five oi* six years is to manure heavily every fall, especially 

 around the trees, and level off and work in slightly with a 

 fork in spring ; then to cultivate with a horse during the 

 season, not working deeper than three or four inches. 



After the first year the trees will need very little pruning, 

 except to shape and keep them well balanced. Some varieties, 

 as the Urbayiiste, will naturally grow in a regular pyramidal 

 shape, while others, like Rosticzer, will need considerable 

 heading in to make them compact. 



The pear, like all otlier trees, is subj(!ct to diseases, perhaps 

 the worst of which are " leaf ))liglit" and " frozen sap blight." 

 It is a serious fault in a tree or vaiiety to loose its leaves in 



