PLANTING, ETC. 315 



end of August, when each shoot must be shortened to within eight 

 buds of the stem ; * this will leave the tree like the preceding figure, 

 and no pruning in Winter will be required. 



The second season the trees will make vigorous growth ; the side 

 shoots which were topped last August will each put forth three, four, 

 or more shoots ; as soon as these are four inches long they must be 

 pinched off to within three inches, all but the leading shoot of each side 

 branch ; this must be left on, to exhaust the tree of its superabundant 

 sap, till the end of August. The perpendicular leader must be top- 

 ped once or twice ; in short, as soon as it has grown ten inches, pinch 

 off its top, and if it breaks into two or three shoots, pinch them all 

 but the leader, as directed for the first season ; in a few years, most 

 symmetrical trees may be formed. 



When they have attained the height of six or eight feet, and still 

 continue to grow vigorously, it will be necessary to commence root- 

 pruning to bring them into a fruitful state. 



I have thus far given directions for those who are inclined to rear 

 their own pyramids. Much time and attention are required ; but 

 the interest attached to well-trained pyramids will amply repay the 

 young cultivator. 



I will now endeavor to give directions for the management of trees, 

 adapted for the gardener of mature age, who feels somewhat impa- 

 tient if his trees do not begin at once to be fruitful. A most valuable 

 auxiliary to precocious fruitfulness in pears is the quince stock ; pears 

 grafted on it may be safely recommended for all soils of moderate 

 depth and fertility, and even for light and sandy soils I am induced 

 to advise it, only in those circumstances the trees must have more 

 care and higher cultivation. In soils of that nature I should recom- 

 mend the surface of the soil round the tree to be covered, during 

 June, July, and August, with short grass, moss, or manure, and to 

 give them once a week, in dry weather, a drenching with guano water 

 (about two pounds to six gallons), which must be well stirred before 

 it is used ; each tree should have twelve gallons poured gradually 

 into the soil : by this method the finest fruit may be produced ; and 

 as it is very probable that, ere many years elapse, we shall have 

 exhibitions of pears, this will be the mode to procure fine specimens 

 to show for prizes. 



Monsieur Cappe's method of pruning in the Garden of Plants 

 (Jardin des Plantes), France, where all are on their own or pear 

 roots, is thus described by the late A. J. Downing in the Horticul- 

 turist. These pyramidal pear trees, it is well known, are regarded 

 as the most perfect of specimens. 



" M. Cappe confines his pruning to three seasons of the year. In 

 the month of March, or before the buds start, he shortens back with 



* There are generally three or four abortive buds at the base of each shoot ; these mwt not 

 to reckoned. 



