118 Cultivation and Management of Pear Trees. 



these pests in melon, pine, and other pits, where they harbour in 

 the walls, &c. ; there is none better than introducing a few toads 

 into melon pits. In pine pits, they can easily be destroyed by 

 pouring water on the bark and walls while turning, and dashing 

 the walls with hot lime-water. 



For all my crops of melons, except the first of each sort, I 

 prefer plants raised from cuttings, of which 1 plant three in each 

 light ; but this method is fully described in a former volume by 

 Mr. Alexander Forsyth. 



The sorts that I grow are the Black Siam, and CuthhTs 

 scarlet flesh, as early varieties ; the Egyptian green flesh, Don- 

 kins's impi'oved, the Ispahan, and Germek Persian, for flavour. 



Norton, January 1. 184>2. 



Art. XV. On the Cultivation and Management of Pear Trees, prior 

 to their being trained against a Wall, including Horizontal and Fa?i 

 Training. By A Lover of Horticulture. 



First, for a horizontal-trained tree, which has been one year 

 grafted, containing three shoots of equal strength, the centre 

 shoot should be trained from the graft perpendicularly, and the 

 two side-shoots should also be trained from their earliest ap- 

 pearance ; which, if attended to, is so much easier done than by 

 the usual mode of allowing the three shoots to grow up the first 

 year from the graft in their own rude crooked way, which 

 position pears are naturally inclined to pursue. For a fan- 

 trained tree of the first year's growth, I select two shoots of 

 equal strength, not allowing more to grow the first season. 

 Plants of the above description I have removed, in the month of 

 November, from the spot on which they were grafted, to a very 

 different quarter of land, with the best success. The ground in 

 which they are to be replanted should be trenched as deep as 

 practicable, and, if necessary, the subsoil should be moved; but, 

 in general, I think it best to leave it undisturbed. These trees 

 I plant at a distance of 3 ft. apart, and in the course of two 

 years they make fine trees, quite large enough to plant against a 

 wall, where I make a preparation of good loamy maiden earth, 

 from 2~ ft. to 3 ft. deep, and from 10 ft. to 12 ft. wide, for 

 the reception of the trees. If the soil is of a strong clayey sub- 

 stance, it should be thoroughly drained, that it may lie healthy. 

 If gravelly or sandy, I would recommend it to be taken out 

 1 ft. or more, soil to be substituted, and the 2 ft. to 3 ft. 

 on the top, as before mentioned, of good loamy earth. When 

 these trees are in their places against a wall, they are at a dis- 

 tance of from 12 ft. to 15 ft. apart. 



