252 ECONOMIC PLANTS 



cries in the same latitude and having the same condi- 

 tions of climate and soil as the orchard to be set out. 

 Apples will keep better if hand-picked, packed in barrels, 

 and stored in a place just above freezing point. 



The Pear. Clay soil if well drained and not over- 

 rich is favorable to the growth of this fruit. The pear 

 is nearly as hardy as the apple, so far as cold is con- 

 cerned, but it is especially liable to a disease called fire 

 blight, which disease attacks it in certain localities, 

 thereby restricting the range of profitable cultivation. 

 Propagation by budding is commonly practiced with 

 pear trees. Trees may be set somewhat nearer together 

 than the apple trees, 15 to 20 feet apart, as they do not 

 have such widespreading branches. 



Potash is better for the pear orchard than manure 

 rich in nitrogen, for the latter induces luxuriant growth, 

 and this is favorable to the bacteria that cause fire 

 blight. For the same reason pear trees require less 

 cultivation than other fruit trees. 



The Quince. - - This fruit, unlike its relatives the 

 apple and pear, is not edible in its raw state, but makes 

 excellent jelly, marmalade, and the like. It is an ir- 

 regular-growing tree or shrub attaining a height of about 

 10 feet. It grows farther south than the two preced- 

 ing, not being able to thrive in the colder regions. This 

 tree is often used as a stock upon which to graft the pear, 

 but is itself usually propagated by layers or cuttings. 

 (See pages 155 and 158.) It takes from two to twelve 

 years for the quince to reach its full bearing capacity. 



The Peach. --The peach grows best on well-drained, 

 sandy loams in the warmer regions, but farther north 

 it does better on a well-drained clay loam. A peach 

 orchard must be well plowed and harrowed, the trees 



