498 



THE PEAR. 



grow large and fine specimens of fruit by strong exposure to 

 the sun. The mode may be briefly understood by the accom- 

 panying figure representing a partly grown tree (Fig. 638). 

 As the tree advances, shoots will be produced from the sides 

 of the horizontal arms ; these must be stopped or pinched off 

 early in summer, to prevent their drawing too hard on the rest 

 of the tree, and a similar course pursued with them to that 



Fig. 638.— HorizontHl Training of Pear-Trees. 



already described in a former chapter. The fruit-buds, &.fld 

 all the shoots or spurs supporting fruit-buds, are to be cut 

 closely off wherever too thick for an even crop. Early in 

 autumn the shortened shoots are to be cut down, leaving the 

 fruit-buds only, to bear the next season. By this regularity 

 of pruning, the tree will preserve a neat appearance, and bear 

 regular crops. 



The horizontal branches may be about one foot apart for 

 large pears, and eight inches for small ; and the trees, if on 

 quince-roots, may be about ten feet apatt. 



Regrafting Large Pear-Trees. — Some of the varieties de- 

 scribed in the following pages have already shown indications 

 of becoming generally affected by cracking. In such cases it 

 becomes desirable to regraft them with valuable sorts, or else 

 thoroughly to spray each year with Bordeaux mixture. 



The old and common way ia to cut off the trunk or a few of 

 the larger limbs, and insert a few grafts, say four or five in 

 all, and compel them to form the whole new head, requiring 

 the lapse of many years. A much better and more expedi- 

 tious mode is to scatter the grafts through the top — inserting 



