26*0 Method of training Pear Trees on Trellises. 



99 



succeed under similar disadvantageous circumstances. A good 

 pear, however, is such an important auxiliary to the dessert, that 

 a portion of walling should, if possible, be devoted to the finer 

 kinds, particularly to that prince of pears, the Chaumontel, the 

 delicious glout morceau and Easter beurre, and the long-keeping 

 beurre ranee. The last three are naturally so prolific, that one 

 tree of each variety, if well managed, would produce sufficient 

 fruit for the supply of a small family ; and they would be fit for 

 the table in succession. But the principal object of this commu- 

 nication is to make known a method of training pear trees which 

 might be advantageously adopted in gardens where walls cannot 

 be afforded, and standards will not thrive. It has been prac- 

 tised several years in the garden of S. Peploe, Esq., Gam- 

 stone, Herefordshire ; and, I believe, has been found eminently 

 successful. A trellis, which may be made either of wood, 

 as at Garnstone, or of iron rods, as in Jig. 99., is used to train 

 the trees on. 



This trellis might be made of any dimensions ; but, of course, 

 its height and width should be restricted within convenient limits 

 for performing the necessary operations upon the trees. The 

 trees are to be planted against the front of the trellis, at distances 

 regulated by its width ; and they should be trained in the fan 

 manner. Young trees, with flexible branches, should be chosen, 

 because such are better adapted to bend easily over the front 

 part of the trellis. 



A frame of this description, placed close before at all and thick 

 evergreen hedge, fully exposed to the sun, and with a properly 

 prepared border for the trees, would, I think, be almost equal 

 to an east or a west wall ; and, for obvious reasons, greatly to be 

 preferred to the method suggested by Mr. Errington (Vol. XII. 

 p. 128.)- The soil recommended by Mr. Errington is unquestion- 

 ably that best suited to the nature of the pear tree ; and, although 

 contrary to the directions promulgated by most writers on hor- 

 ticulture, I fully concur in his opinion as to the superiority of 

 shallow xi^ell-drained borders to the deep pits usually made for 

 the reception of the roots. 



Feb. 1837. 



