PEARS. 



sides and front of the branches, as those produced from 

 the back or near to it would, in the progress of their 

 growth, not only derange in some measure the straight 

 direction of the. branch, but receive material injury by 

 their pressure against the wall ; such, therefore, should 

 at all times be removed on their appearance, leaving 

 those only which are either situated on the front, or so 

 far from the wall as not to be injured by it, at any 

 future stage of their growth. 



The spurs of Pears, indeed, require the principal part 

 of the gardener's attention in the management of the 

 tree, for on these depend the bulk and value of the crop : 

 short spurs, at a moderately wide distance, produce fine 

 fruit, whilst those on long ones in a crowded state are 

 proportionately inferior ; on the contrary, very vigorous 

 sound spurs, at wide distances, produce fruit of the very 

 largest size, and of the greatest excellence. This I have 

 before noticed, when describing the Chamnontel Pear, 

 as grown by the Jersey gardeners. 



Pear trees which have been too long neglected to be 

 recovered by the reduction of their spurs, should be 

 headed down in the following manner : 



In February or the beginning of March, with a thin 

 fine-toothed saw, cut every branch back to within nine 

 inches of the main stem from which it issued, making 

 the cut in a sloping direction, and as little exposed to 

 view in front as possible, smoothing it afterwards with a 

 sharp knife, and particularly the bark round the edge, i 

 so that its lacerated parts may be effectually removed ; 

 at the same time every spur, whether good or bad, upon 

 the remaining part of the tree should be cut off* close 

 and smooth, but not so close as to touch the ring of 

 bark at its base, from beneath which the young shoots 

 will make their appearance. 



After this operation is finished, the wounds should be 

 covered with a small portion of well-beaten grafting 



