88 FRUIT CULTURE. 



It is often well to relieve an overladen tree by 

 an early, partial picking of the most mature fruit, 

 to the decided advantage of the last picking. 

 The fruit should be handled with special care, 

 and, when practicable, placed in single layers in 

 close drawers in a cool, not too dry cellar. Ex- 

 clusion of light seems to be an important point, 

 and the highest excellence is obtained, if the 

 fruit is brought into a warmer temperature a 

 day or two before the texture of the flesh melts 

 under the saccharine fermentation. The merit 

 of many kinds depends to a great degree upon 

 this judicious treatment in ripening. Some of 

 the later varieties, the Lawrence for example, 

 may be barreled and kept in a cold cellar to 

 ripen, like winter apples. They will be improved, 

 however, if repacked in drawers, in a warm 

 room, a week or two before required for use. 



INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE PEAK. 



The round-headed borer, the flat-headed 

 borer, the oyster-shell louse, the scurfy louse, 

 the fall-web worm, and the codling moth, which 

 have already been described as injurious to the 

 apple, also make their attacks upon the pear. 

 The same remedies may be used as for the apple. 

 The plum curculio also stings the fruit of the 

 pear to some extent. The remedy will be given 

 under the head of the plum. 



