PYRUS, PEAR TREE. 251 



Quince trees prefer tilled soil, & since they don't put their roots down deeply, they don't 

 need the same depth of good soil as does the wild pear tree stock. The common quince 

 tree is suitable only for types of pear trees of average size & moderate sap flow. Those 

 that become large & vigorous prefer the Portugal quince tree. Some succeed on the 

 hawthorn, medlar, azarole, and service tree, provided that they're planted in loose & fresh 

 soil. Others only can survive on wild stock. This choice of stocks for different kinds of 

 pear trees is less of a rule than it is an observation, & often the quality of the soil counts 

 as much as does the type of tree. 



Generally, all pear trees regardless of the stock on which they're grafted, do well 

 in loamy sand that's very deep. They can't succeed in better quality soil when it's only 

 eight or ten inches deep. They barely survive in compact & clayey soil. It's a practice to 

 graft butter pears on quince trees & to plant them in good rich soil that isn't too moist, & 

 to graft crisp ones on wild stock & to plant them in heavy soil that has neither too much 

 nor too little moisture. In the description of each pear tree we've noted the soil & the 

 stock appropriate for it consistent with customary practice. We don't claim to approve or 

 to advise here; experience has convinced us that all pear trees graft much better on wild 

 stock than on any other stock. If gardeners prefer pear trees grafted on the quince tree for 

 espalier, bush, or fan trees, it's because being weakened within a few years or spoiled by 

 pruning, they yield their fruit sooner. Whereas pear trees grafted on wild stock are 

 vigorous; they withstand these extensive restrictions for a long time & endeavor to repair 

 them only with stronger shoots without yielding fruit. Those who prune pear trees a lot 

 have demonstrated that they bear fruit just as quickly on wild stock 



