Root-Pnumw' the Pear and other Fruit Trees. 351 



Art. II. Root-Pruning the Pear and other Fruit Trees. 

 From the Gardeners' Chronicle. 



We have, in our previous vohimes, said so much upon 

 the beneficial effects of root-pruning, that it would seem 

 almost superfluous to bring forward any farther evidence of 

 its good effects, or recapitulate the best mode of performing 

 this operation. We believe the fact is established, at least 

 among practical men, that, in most instances, fruit trees, 

 especially of the pear and apple, cannot be brought into 

 early bearing on their oivn stock, only through the medium 

 of root-pruning. To have pyramidal pears in good shape, 

 and to keep them within reasonable bounds of growth, is 

 next to impossible without it. This being settled, we need 

 only direct attention to the following article, certainly one 

 of the best we have ever read on the subject, to remind 

 cultivators that now is the time to root-prune ; and, after un- 

 derstanding the rationale of the operation, they will at once 

 be enabled to have an abundance of fruit : — 



Much as the cultivation of the pear and other fruit trees 

 has been improved, by grafting upon suitable stocks, with 

 the view to make them bear sooner, and also by root-prun- 

 ing in November, so strongly and clearly described by Mr. 

 Rivers, in his " Miniature Fruit Garden," yet, in some soils 

 and situations, they grow so late in autumn, and ripen their 

 wood so imperfectly, that mere winter pruning and summer 

 stopping are not suflicient of themselves to eftect the desired 

 end. This over-luxuriant habit of growth is mainly in- 

 duced by stimulating soil, aided by the mulching generally 

 applied as soon as the young trees are planted, after coming 

 from the nursery. So well have pears in particular been 

 managed of late years, by some of those who have made it 

 their business and study to provide the public with the best 

 kinds on the most suitable stocks, that we not unfrequently 

 see them come from the nurseries in the most perfect condi- 

 tion ; being handsome miniature trees, with numerous short- 

 jointed shoots, covered with beautiful well-matured buds, 

 ready to burst into bloom, while the warmth of spring is 



