3CX) THE CULTIVATION OF THE 



SHEDDING OF FOLIAGE. 



It appears to be inherent in some pear trees to shed 

 their foliage prematurely, independent of any pest or 

 disease. The Belle Lucrative does this on the Peninsula, 

 and so, to some extent, the winter Nelis and Duchess. 

 If it seriously affects the trees, I advise root-pruning in 

 the autumn. Expose the roots three or four feet from 

 the tree and cut them off with a clean cut. Pour in 

 some soap suds, and cover up the roots and the opera- 

 tion is finished. 



FROST. 



At times, cold is a serious enemy to the pear. The 

 wood is stronger, and less delicate than peach wood, 

 and probably no degree of cold we have on the peninsula 

 ever kills the wood or even the fruit buds. But the tree 

 entering the winter with a second autumn growth of 

 succulent wood, may have this wood so affected by low 

 temperature, as to render it liable to the ravages of 

 blight, when the warm weather comes — as has been ex- 

 plained under that disease. It is in the spring that the 

 pear suffers most from frost, just when the blossom is 

 perfected, and on to the time when it is leaving the 

 embryo fruit. I think the Duchess Pear is particularly 

 a little tender at this time. Again, at this stage, an 

 easterly storm with cold rain is very apt to cause great 

 loss to the pear grower, and, indeed, I look upon the 



