24 



difiurcnces, so as not to work a strong growing variety, upon a 



feeble stock. 



The Pear Tree is impatient of the knife, and the removal of 

 large limbs, when rendered necessary is not unfrequently attended 



with injurious consequences — no ot!>er pruning is called for, than 

 that required for the removal of cross limbs, and the proper 

 shaping of the tree. 



The proper cultivation of the pear, has been perhaps suffi- 

 ciently indicated, by what has already been said. The ground 

 round the trees at least, should be kept loose, mellow and free of 

 weeds, and covered with a suitable mulching of litter, spent tan, 

 or like substance, and made sufficiently rich to sustain a healthy, 

 vigorous growth., for which purpose the application to the soil of 

 peat, or meadow muck mixed with wood ashes, and an addition 

 of groimd bones is considered suitable. Guano mixed with the 

 bone black of the sugar refineries, in the proportion of one- 

 fourth of Guano, to three-fourths of bone black, and Mape's 

 improved superphosphate of lime., as manufactured for sale, will 

 as I believe, be found a proper and efficacious manure for Orch- 

 ards. 



Ilain water in copious supply, seems to have a bigily stimu- 

 lating effect upon the fruit, as well as the tree, and where fruit 

 of extra size is desired, in addition to a due supply of manure, 

 and thinning of the Fruit , copious waterings with rain water, will 

 probaby materially tend to ibis result. 



The number of varieties of the pear, are so great, very many 

 of which have not yet been thorouglily tested, that it is not easy 

 to decide which are the best ; and much less so, to point oul 

 those most suited to orchard culture, and to that only are these 

 remarks intended to apply, as for this purpose many circumstances 

 must be taken into consideration, such as the sv/.e and quality of 

 the fruit, the vigor, hardihood and productiveness of the tree, 

 and others that may affect its adaptation to general cultivation. 

 The safest course for beginners in cultivating this fruit, is to 

 confine their selection at first, to such varieties as have been 



