84 FRUIT CULTURE. 



SITUATION AND SOIL. 



A slightly descending slope is most favorable, 

 in order to facilitate drainage and the discharge 

 of surplus surface water. But it is not essential 

 that any particular point of the compass should 

 be secured. Shelter from the rake of the wind 

 is important. The pear is a companionable tree 

 and will luxuriate when supported by other trees 

 around it. In close garden culture a degree of 

 humidity is preserved, and there being much 

 less evaporation from the foliage where the strong 

 winds are broken, the growth will be much more 

 vigorous and healthy. There must, however, 

 be sufficient air and sunlight to mature the wood 

 and the fruit. If the site is high it will be an 

 advantage to plant an evergreen belt to the wind- 

 ward, both for the health of the trees and also to 

 prevent the falling of the fruit during high winds. 

 On the other hand, a low, cold, and peaty posi- 

 tion, subject to fogs and frosty nights, is objec- 

 tionable. 



A strong, retentive loam, inclining to clay, is 

 the preferable soil. Even a stiff soil is a good 

 basis, which can easily be lightened and warmed 

 by the addition of stable manure. But it is es- 

 sential that such retentive land be systematically 

 underlaid with tile drains. Uniform but not ex- 



