384 Editors Letter- Box. 



W. J. L., Chicago, 111. — How deep shall I plant pear-trees on quince-stocks ? 

 If the soil is very stiff, what can I do to render it lighter and more friable ? Do 

 you consider it desirable to let such trees strike roots from the pear-stock ? — We 

 recommend planting the dwarfs rather deeply, so that the point of union will be 

 at least two to three inches below the surface. We know a garden where the 

 roots of many of the dwarf trees were from six to ten inches below the surface, 

 and they gave the very best results ; in fact, produced better fruit than was 

 grown in any other part of the garden. If the soil is very stiff, use sand, gravel, 

 or spent tan, freely. This latter material has been extensively used in this vicin- 

 ity with the very best results. We confess that we have looked upon its use 

 with distrust ; but the results are very satisfactory. We do not consider it desira- 

 ble to have the dwarf root from the pear ; for it then ceases to be a dwarf, while 

 it does not become so good a tree as can be produced from a pear on its own 

 roots. In all cases where we discover that our dwarfs have made roots from the 

 pear, we cut them ; for they stand in some cases among standards when there 

 is not room for any thing very large. 



Inquirer. — I have quite a number of large dwarf pear-trees of poor varie- 

 ties, and I am not content to leave them : I shall either graft them, or dig them 

 up. Which plan had I better adopt .'' — If we should advise, as we have often 

 done before, we should say, Dig them up, and set out other dwarfs, or, what would 

 be better, standards. We have never had good success with such trees after 

 they have been grafted. If your trees are fine, thrifty ones, you can try the 

 experiment. On the whole, we would advise you to graft a few of them, and 

 satisfy yourself. 



J. G. — Has the Clarke Raspberry'proved hardy the past winter ? — Yes : we 

 have seen plants that were left standing, and they start strongly, even to the 

 terminal buds. Possibly, in other locations, they may not have stood as well. 

 Let us hear from different parts of the country. 



