1 64 MY GARDEN. 



we e>teem in this country, and which are cultivated at Wallington. 

 I have one tree planted as a cordon (fig. 222), that is, as a single rod 

 trained a few inches above the * ground ; but this I regard rather as 

 a fanciful conceit than a practically useful contrivance. 



Pyramids about two feet in diameter form beautiful objects to 

 be placed along the side of the walk. My pear-tree walk is so 

 arranged ; and it certainly presents a pretty effect, both when the 

 trees are neatly trimmed in winter and when they are in flower, the 

 promise of spring, or laden with fruit, the performance of autumn. 

 Throughout Europe, pyramid dessert pears are arranged by the side 

 of paths. When pears are grown against walls, we train them as 

 though they were espaliers. It is desirable to grow the earliest, and 

 some of the latest, in this way. 



The trees should be planted in good top spit loam. If they grow 

 too luxuriantly, it is desirable to lift the tree in winter, and to lessen 

 the fibrous roots. Dr. Hooker pointed out to me the bad effects of 

 leaving dead roots with fungus in the earth where trees are growing, 

 as they are apt to injure their growth, or kill them. This fact has 

 been overlooked by those who recommend frequent lifting of trees 

 and replantation in the same place. 



After a year or two, manure is certainly advisable, which may be 

 either spread over the ground or lightly trenched in. Woollen material 

 has been tried in my garden by simply laying it on the ground around 

 the stem of the tree. The little rootlets so much like this material 

 that they form a complete interlacing, but when the wool is rotten 

 the rootlets are apt to perish, which is not desirable, and therefore 

 wool should be discarded as a manure. Where manure is rrecessary, 

 the best stable dung is preferable. 



In the poor exhausted humus of the ground of Wallington, old 

 brick rubbish is very desirable ; the pieces of broken brick, the sulphate 

 of lime, carbonate of lime, and sand, mixed together, being favourable 

 to growth. 



The pear pyramids in the month of April are particularly lovely 

 when covered with their beautiful flowers, but let us not be deceived by 



