276 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



of them are worthless, especially to a small grower, and others indifferent. 

 It is essential to make a careful selection, for unless one has good varieties 

 in the first place, after care and attention are lost. It is advisable to 

 grow several trees of each of the best varieties rather than possess one 

 or two of many varieties. 



The Pear. Although not so useful as the Apple, the Pear is more 

 luscious and refreshing. It is not more difficult to grow than the Apple, 

 although more fastidious as to climate, for in the warm southern and 

 western counties of England, the Pear thrives better than in the more 

 northern and colder districts. When once well established, it will live 

 and bear fruit for many years. In soil suitable for the Apple, the Pear 

 will also succeed. In one of the best hardy fruit gardens in the south 

 of England, on one side of an extensive drive, Apple trees are planted, 

 while the border on the opposite side contains splendid specimens of 

 Pear trees throughout its full length. Providing that there is a suffi- 

 cient depth of well-drained loamy soil, the Pear may be successfully 

 grown, but land that is of a gravelly nature through which water passes 

 away quickly is not suitable. If in possession of such land, the cultivator 

 should always well mulch the trees early in spring by covering the sur- 

 face of the soil several feet away from the stem of the tree with short 

 litter. This is of the greatest assistance to fruit trees planted upon 

 light land ; it keeps the soil cool and moist by preventing evaporation. 

 If the rays of the sun are allowed to strike with full force upon the 

 ground immediately above the roots of the tree, the former becomes 

 hard, dry, and generally cracks a condition that is injurious to the 

 roots. It is obvious also that mulching lessens the necessity of such 

 frequent applications of water, and with every fall of rain the tree is 

 benefited by the stimulating effects of the manure. 



The remarks in the notes upon the Apple with reference to the 

 best aspect and position for planting, apply equally well to the Pear. In 

 most gardens where the space is available, a few Pear trees are generally 

 planted against walls, and, as a rule, produce finer fruit than when 

 planted in the open. A better crop is also usually obtained, for the 

 flowers are to a certain extent protected from the frost and rough winds 

 to which Pear trees in the open are exposed in spring time. It is not, 

 however, everywhere that wall space is available. We will, therefore, 

 first endeavour to make clear the culture of a Pear tree not against a 

 wall. A Pear tree in the open may either be in the form of a standard, 

 pyramid, bush, or espalier. The description of each of these will be 

 found under the heading of The Apple. The cultural details to be followed 

 in the operations of preparing the soil, planting, &c., are also there ex- 

 plained, and apply to the Pear. 



Stocks. As in Apple culture the two stocks for grafting principally 

 made use of are the "Crab" and the "Paradise," so the "Pear" and 

 the "Quince" are the stocks upon which Pear trees are invariably 

 grafted. Those upon the Pear stock live the longest, and are the most 

 vigorous ; the roots of this, however, are, like the Crab, far-reaching, and 

 liable to enter the subsoil. If there is a good depth of suitable soil, trees 

 upon the Pear stock will succeed well. Also in poor, gravelly soil, the 



