118 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



ducing a more rapid growth at one time than at another ; and that 

 abundant mulching will produce comparative exemption from 

 cracking by keeping the soil in a uniform condition. It is for the 

 same reason, as I understand it, that Mr. Meehan recommends 

 keeping the land in grass, not to be removed for hay, but to be 

 left on the ground to keep it moist and of a uniform temperature. 

 Dr. Hull of Michigan, a successful pear grower, recently deceased, 

 recommends root pruning, claiming that it produces a vigorous 

 growth of new roots, and that by this means he can prevent crack- 

 ing. This was my reason for inquiring whether pear trees do not 

 require deeper setting than apple trees. I did not mean to have 

 the roots put in water. I wouldn't have them in any way sub- 

 jected to the action of standing water, but I do believe (with the 

 land properl}' drained) they require a deeper setting than apple 

 trees. I believe that in suitable soil, land properly drained, and 

 trees protected from sudden freezing and thawing, and with pro- 

 tection for the roots, we may raise pears as successfully, easily 

 and profitably as any other fruit crop. 



Mr. Smith. I think Nature teaches us not to set our trees deep 

 in the ground, but I have seen where the ground was put round 

 them to the depth of two or three feet, and it never hurt them at 

 all ; they grew the better for it. Dwarf pear trees, that is, pears 

 grafted on quince stocks, may be partially changed to standards 

 by banking up around them in this manner, causing the tree to 

 throw out roots from the pear wood above the point of union, I 

 have three trees of Flemish Beauty, one a dwarf and the other two 

 standards, which bear every year. Four years I have fruited 

 them and they never cracked but once — that was two years ago. 

 Last year there wasn't a pear that cracked. I have used ashes 

 freely, and phosphate. I have used a great deal of nitrogenous 

 manure. I think that ashes, alkalies and vegetable matter, are 

 better for the growth of the tree and the leaves, and phosphates 

 better for the growth of fruit, than the richest barnyard manure. 

 I think pear culture is profitable. 



Friend Taylor. Is the effect of the application of manure upon 

 the ground where it has been thrown up around the trees exerted 

 upon the old roots, or upon the roots thrown out from the trunk ? 



Mr. Smith. I don't know what becomes of those lower roots, 

 but the trees send out new roots round the whole trunk and takes 

 a start and grows more rapidly than it otherwise would. All I 

 can say is, if you don't believe it, try it. 



