204 BUISrS FAMILY KITCHEN GARDENER. 



at once. The result would be, instead of Pears being worth 

 twenty-five cents per bushel, they would at least be worth 

 twelve times that amount. 



Planting the Pear, is precisely as desci*ibed for the Apple ; 

 though they will admit of being as close as twenty-five or 

 thirty feet. The finest trees we know, grow on a light, 

 loamy soil, three feet deep, with a sandy, gravelly bottom. 

 The worst soil we have observed them on. is composed of 

 a sandy, thin, light nature, with a cold or wet bottom. 



Pruning. — This tree, in the first few years of its growth, 

 after being transplanted, requires the aid of the knife in direct- 

 ing the formation of its head ; but when once formed, it re- 

 quires no further care, unless to keep the interior of the head 

 thinned out, to allow a free circulation of air. Avoid making 

 large amputations when pruning. The saw and the axe are 

 dangerous implements in the hands of unskilful orchardists. 



Blight is the only disease in this country that attacks the 

 Pear. Its remedies are not yet fully tested, and at present 

 are very conflicting and unsatisfactory. The fact, that in some 

 situations they are more subject to it than in others, shows 

 conclusively, I think, that it is a local and not an atmospheric 

 disease. 



The Insect Blight appears in July and August, and fre- 

 quently has done much mischief before being detected — whole 

 limbs dying, as it were, instantly. Remedy, examine your 

 trees frequently in those months, and as soon as you de- 

 tect any of the limbs with the leaves having a drooping 

 appearance, and in habit altogether difi*erent from the other 

 portions of the tree, cut it ofi^ close to the main limb, and 

 have it destroyed. The insect has girdled the pith, and 

 prevented the circulation of the sap. 



G-ATHERiNG THE Fruit. Rather more attention ought to 

 be given to the collecting and keeping the fruit of the Pear tree 



