362 



THE FRUIT GARDEN 



moisture lessens its fertility. The pear likes rich soil of good consistency, 

 always provided that it is neither too wet nor too dry, and does not contain 

 much lime. 



Propagation. — The pear is grafted upon the wild pear, and upon the 



Pyramid Pear Tree with Two Series of Branches 



Quince. When grafted upon the wild stock the pear is less exacting as to the 

 nature of the soil, though it must have depth, and no excess of water ; but it 

 is less fertile than when grafted upon the Quince. The latter stock is much 

 more frequently used (except in hot and calcareous soils), for the crop is larger 

 and more quickly obtained, and the fruit is much finer. 



Forms. — All varieties of the pear do not grow equally well, so in order to 

 form stems an intermediate stock is often used. The pear is cultivated in 

 all forms — standard, pyramid, trained trees, &c. 



Pears grown in the open air are supplied by many regions, especially from 

 the basin of the Loire — Angers, Nantes, I'Aisne, PEure, La Seine et Marne, &c. 

 Some are also sent from Burgundy. Choice pears from espalier trees come from 

 the neighbourhood of Paris — Montmorency, Groslais, Montreuil, Rosny-sous- 

 Bois, Fontenay-sous-Bois, Bagnolet, &c. 



