72 SUCCESSFUL rHUIT CULTURE 



THE ORCHARD 



For the best results, strong, rather moist land 

 should be selected, but it is best that it be on an 

 elevation where there will be a good drainage and a 

 free circulation of air during the growing season, under 

 which conditions there will be less danger from fungous 

 diseases. The pear will grow well upon a variety of 

 soils, as with the apple, but much profit cannot be 

 expected unless all conditions are the most favorable. 



Trees for Planting — The pear tree is more difficult 

 to grow in the nursery than the apple, and more care 

 must be taken in growing them and in the i^election of 

 trees from the nursery. A medium to large No. 1 two- 

 year-old tree is the best for general planting, though 

 most No. 1 trees sold are at least three years old. The 

 preparation of the land, the pruning of the tree, and 

 the planting have already been described for the apple, 

 which should be followed for the treatment of the pear. 



Distance for Planting — The trees of most varieties 

 naturally grow in a pyramidal form, and while it 

 sometimes grows to a large size, it is more compact 

 than the apple and requires a less distance. Fifteen by 

 15, or 20x20 feet, are the distances most generally 

 planted, according to the variety and the method of 

 training. Such varieties as the Seckel, Giffard, Bart- 

 lett, and many others, if kept well headed in, will need 

 only the former distance, while the larger growing 

 kinds and those trained with a broad head will need 

 the latter distance. 



Pruning — During the first few years of its growth 

 after planting in the orchard, the pear tree has a 

 tendency to growth of only a few central shoots and 

 with little growth of laterals. All of these strong cen- 

 tral shoots must be checked by pinching as soon as 

 this tendency is discovered, but one leader or central 



