PEAR PROPAGATION 299 



not too alkaline the pears will thrive. If gypsum be used in plant- 

 ing, somewhat stronger alkali will be endured than otherwise. 



PROPAGATION AND PLANTING 



The use of dwarfing stock for the pear has been nearly aban- 

 doned in this State, though in early years the quince was largely 

 used. The most prominent orchard on quince stock is that of A. 

 Block, of Santa Clara, where may be seen dwarf trees originally 

 planted eight feet apart in squares, but now wider spaced by 

 removing part of the trees; the remainder doing exceedingly well 

 under liberal manuring and irrigation. It is quite possible that, 

 at least for gardens, there may be in the future more use made of 

 dwarf trees, but for commercial orchards there appears no need 

 of dwarfing. The common conclusion is that it is better to have 

 fewer trees and larger ones, but since the pear blight became an 

 issue in this State the Angiers quince has been advocated as a 

 means of maintaining a sound root and keeping the warfare above 

 ground. 



The following varieties are commended for cultivation on quince 

 stock as dwarfs, experience proving them vigorous growers and 

 abundant bearers in suitable localities : Bartlett, Beurre Hardy, 

 Doyenne du Cornice, Duchess d'Angouleme, Glout Morceau, 

 Pound, Beurre Diel, White Doyenne, Easter Beurre, Winter Nelis, 

 P. Barry, Winter Bartlett. 



But the pear is usually grown in California on its own roots; 

 that is upon imported French pear seedlings. It comes into bear- 

 ing early enough, and is a long-lived tree unless badly attacked 

 by blight. Trees are grown by either budding or grafting, as 

 described in the chapter on that subject. Only good seedling 

 roots should be used, and not suckers from old trees. The Japan- 

 ese stock, so called, being seedlings of the Sand pear, of Asia, 

 has been used to some extent, but no definite results reported. 

 Propagation upon rooted cuttings of the Le Conte, which has 

 a measurable resistance to the pear blight, has been advised for 

 the purpose of securing less susceptible roots. Mr. M. B. Waite, 

 orchard pathologist of the United States Department of Agricul- 

 ture, has in progress a test of many cross-bred seedlings in the hope 

 of reaching a hardier seedling stock for pears than is now known. 

 He also proposes top grafting the Bartlett upon Winter Nelis, 

 Seckel, Angouleme, Lawson and other partially immune varieties to 

 increase the chances of securing a somewhat resistant tree-body and 

 sound roots. Fortunately the pear is readily grafted-over by the 

 common methods. 



Distance in Planting. If the pears are to have the whole 

 ground, it is usual to plant from twenty to twenty-four feet apart 



