FRUITS AND FLOWERS. 323 



in autumn, and the surface of the wound be covered with some 

 preparation to keep out the air. An alcoholic solution of shellac 

 answers the end better than any thing else. Besides this kind of 

 pruning, the object of which is to promote wood growth by keep- 

 ing up a preponderance of strength in favor of the roots, I at 

 the same time keep an eye to the eventual production of fruit. 

 For this purpose I practise pinching out the ends of the lead- 

 ing shoots after they have made from ten to twelve inches 

 growth. Such an operation, without apparently weakening 

 the tree, causes the wood already made to become ripened, and 

 the buds througliout its length to assume a more decided char- 

 acter and eventually become fruit spurs. This treatment is 

 applicable only to those varieties which arc inclined to vigorous 

 woody growth. For some thrifty growing varieties, like the 

 Urbaniste, which show no disposition to fruit, I reserve all 

 pruning to the season of growth, during the latter part of June. 

 This gives the tree a sudden check, and instead of spending its 

 force in making new wood, it applies it rather to the formation 

 of fruit spurs, without which no tree can be fruitful. 



Another object gained by continued pruning is to render the 

 tree stocky. That is the size of the trunk becomes large in pro- 

 portion to its height. Low, stocky trees are more fruitful than 

 those that are tall and spindling, and their first full crop does 

 not break them down or destroy their vigor. 



The form which I prefer for pears on quince roots, is what is 

 called half standard. The branches which form the head of the 

 tree leave the main stem at about two feet from the ground. 

 This form gives more ease and facility of cultivation than the 

 pyramid, and is more easily produced and kept up. In prun- 

 ing standard trees less heading in is required, but the objects 

 are in the main the same, i. e. to promote growth and to obtain 

 a proper disposition of the branches. 



The trunks of all the trees were washed in the spring of 

 1856 with a mixture of one pound of potash, one pailful of 

 water, and a shovelful of fresh cow-dung. I intend to wash 

 them again in the spring of 1858, but shall use a strong suds 

 made from soft soap rather than any mixture containing dis- 

 solved potash. 



The following is a list of the principal varieties with a few 



