PLANTING AND AFTEE MANAGEMENT 63 



to encourage it to emit roots into the surface soil, and to 

 keep it (the stock) from becoming hard and ' bark-bound.' 



As the mounds wUl subside by the heavy rains of 

 winter, presuming that the trees have been planted in 

 autumn, fresh compost of the same nature must be 

 added in spring, and every succeeding autumn. A 

 quarter of a peck of soot, strewed on the surface in a 

 circle three feet iu diameter round each tree in March, 

 is an excellent stimulant. The great object in the 

 culture of the pear on the quince stock is to encourage 

 the growth of its very fibrous roots at the surface, so 

 that they may feel the full influence of the sun and air. 

 The slight mounds recommended may be made orna- 

 mental, if required, by placing pieces of rock or flint 

 on them, which will also prevent the birds scratching 

 at them for worms ; but the stones selected must not be 

 very large and heavy — they should be about the size 

 and weight of a brick. In light friable soils, the mounds 

 may be from three to four inches above the surface of 

 the surrounding soil ; iu heavy retentive wet soUs, from 

 six to eight inches will not be found too high. 



In soils of a light dry nature the pear on the quince 

 requires careful culture ; the surface round the tree 

 should be covered during June, July, and August with 

 short litter,' or manure, and in dry weather give the 



' A clerical amateur has informed me that this mulching or 

 placing half -rotten manure one or two inches deep on the surface in 

 & circle from two to three feet in diameter and one and a half 

 inches deep, according to the size of the tree, will prevent pears 

 cracking. 



