Pears. 



239 



purpose of causing the pear to throw out roots of itself, thus chang- 

 ing the dwarf to a standard. This practice is objectionable, as such 

 roots are apt to be few or one-sided, inclining or prostrating the tree. 

 It is also desirable to retain the bearing character of the dwarf. 



When dwarfs become old, or begin to decline, pear roots may be 

 given to them, and renewed vigor imparted by planting a small pear 

 tree closely on each side, and when these become established, by 

 inarching them into the tree, as shown in the annexed cuts. It is 

 performed as follows : 



Make a slit in the bark of the dwarf pear tree, a few inches above 



Fig. 263. Fig. 264. 



<*, Trunk of Divarf Pear Tree, b, 6, Pear Stocks inserted into it, for new bottom, 

 c, Cut for receiving the Pear Stock, d, Pear Stock, cut sloping before insertion. 



ground, and across the lower end of the slit make a cross-cut, so as 

 to form an inverted j,. If the tree is large, make a notch instead of 

 the cut, sloping downwards, the better to admit the stock. Then 

 bend the stock against this notch or cross-cut, and mark it at that 

 point. Then with a knife set with the edge upwards at this mark, 

 cut the stock off with a slope two or three inches long. It is then 

 easily bent and inserted into the slit. It may be covered with graft- 

 ing wax, but grafting clay is much better. This is made of clay or 

 clay-loam one part, and horse manure two parts, well mixed together 

 the addition of a little hair is an improvement. Cow manure is 

 entirely unfit, being too compact with the clay, and not possessing 

 the fibrous character of the other. 



Horizontal Training, for walls or espaliers, is very rarely prac- 



