314 



THE PEAR. 



are shortened, which is best done towards the end of August ; this 



shortening must be made at the marks , and all the side shoots 



shortened in the same maneer ; and also the leading shoot. Hooked 

 pruning scissors will be found the best implement to prune with. 

 The spurs are the bases of the shoots that have been pinched in 

 June." 



Planting and after man- 

 agement. As before men- 

 tioned, the autumnal and 

 early winter months are to 

 be preferred for planting ; 

 care should be taken in se- 

 lecting trees that are fur- 

 nished with buds and 

 branches from bottom to 

 top ; but if a young gar- 

 dener intends to plant, and 

 wishes to train up his trees 

 so that they will become 

 quite perfect in shape, he 

 should select plants one 

 year old from the bud or 

 graft ; these will, of course, 

 have good buds down tc 

 the junction of the graft 

 with the stock. The first 

 Spring, a tree of this de- 

 scription should be headed 

 down so as leave the shoot 

 about eighteen inces long ; 

 if the soil is rich, from five 

 to six and seven shoots will 

 be produced ; one of these 

 must be made the leader, 

 and if not inclined to be 

 quite perpendicular, this 

 must be fastened to a stake. 



As soon in Summer as the leading shoot is ten inches long, its end 

 must be pinched off, and if it pushes forth two or more shoots, pinch 

 all off but one to about two inches, leaving the topmost for a leader ; 

 the side shoots will in most cases assume a regular shape ; if not, 

 they may be this first season tied to slight stakes to make them grow 

 in the proper direction. This is the best done by bringing down and 

 fastening the end of each shoot to a slight stake, so that an open py- 

 ramid may be formed ; for if it is too close and cypress-like, enough 

 air is not admitted to the fruit ; they may remain unpruned till the 



