366 



THE FRUIT GARDEN 



Upon branches three years old, the short and twiggy growths are left 

 untouched, wood growths only are pinched at the third, fourth, or fifth leaf 

 according to their vigour. The side shoots from the main branches should 

 be trained om.io or om.i2 from each other, to the right and left of the latter, 

 and above and below them, never at the back and front. Upon an unfertile 

 tree, the spurs, twiggy shoots, and the point where the fruit was gathered. 



Characteristic Shoot of Pear 



Portion of Branch 

 from where fruit 

 HAS BEEN Gath- 

 ered 



Fruit buds have formed 

 there. Upon the 

 piece of shoot that re- 

 mains on the branch 

 (and was formerly 

 joined to the stalk) 

 after a pear is gath- 

 ered, fruit buds will 

 form ; it should 

 therefore be retained 

 when pruning. 



are retained, while if a tree is bearing sufficiently well, the latter growths are 

 pruned to the base, and the twiggy shoots are cut back half their length. Pinch- 

 ing is practised in order to arrest the growth of certain shoots to prevent their 

 taking too much sap, to ensure the production of good buds at their bases, 

 and also to strengthen neighbouring shoots. 



The Best Varieties 



Andr£ Desportes. — Fertile; fruit medium size, turbinate; stalk medium, 

 obliquely set in small cavity ; eye slightly open ; skin greenish yellow, tinged with 

 pink; _/Z?jA very delicate, sweet ; July- August. 



Bergamotte Crassane (Crassane). — Moderately fertile ; fruit rather large, 



