108 THE FRUIT-TREE AND SHRUB PRUNER. 



new growth, on which will come berries, but this ap- 

 plies to the fruiting kinds. The kinds named above 

 grow fast, and are showy things for covering walls, 

 arches, pillars, &c. 



The Pyrus Japonica. 



This can scarcely be called a climber, yet it is an 

 excellent plant for training on low walls, trellises, &c. 

 There is no necessity for me to describe it, as almost 

 every one is acquainted with it. , It is a very hand- 

 some as well as one of the hardiest and earliest flower- 

 ing plants we possess. In spite of the cold it will 

 flower in February and March, and before the leaves 

 appear. There is nothing more striking than a Pyrus 

 Japonica in full bloom on a south or south-east wall in 

 the months of February or March, with its gorgeous 

 scarlet flowers. It will grow in any good common 

 garden soil, but it requires some annual pruning in a 

 similar way to that adopted with the Pear or Plum ; 

 that is, spurring in, and laying in the young wood 

 which bears the flowers. 



To preserve a neat, orderly, and scientific appearance 

 in the plant, it is necessary to prune it and train it 

 handsomely, just as a gardener would do in the case of 

 a Plum-tree beai'ing fruit. I am of opinion that the 

 beauty of a trained tree is considerably enhanced by 

 the training being done in a neat and scientific man- 

 ner, let the plant be what it may. 



In the first instance the Pyrus Japonica should be 

 laid out on the wall or fence in a similar way to which a 

 Peach would be done by a good gardener, and pre- 

 served on the same principle year by year. Old and 

 barren plants may be cut quite back in order to in- 

 duce the formation of a new tree. (See the " Pear," 

 "Plum," "Peach," &c.) 



The Pyracantha. 



This is one of the evergreen Thorns, and though not 

 a climber it may be trained to cover a high wall. 



