1028 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



soils the Quince stock is much the best for all dwarf or restricted 

 trees, as the roots only extend to a limited area ; therefore the 

 growth is moderate and fruitful. If the trees were on the Pear 

 stock in rich soil there would always be trouble in preventing 

 strong, rampant wood and foliage, with little or no fruit. 

 Standards should, however, always be on the Pear stock to 

 obtain large trees. 



The advice already given in the section on Apples as to 

 drainage, time of planting, pruning, &c, is also equally applicable 

 to Pears, and for that reason only descriptions of the varieties 

 that answer the best on the different forms of trees are here 

 necessary. 



Cordon-Trees. — When it becomes more generally known how 

 admirably Pears succeed as cordon-trees against walls they will 

 be planted on a much larger scale than at present. Not only 

 do the trees produce abundant crops, but the fruit is also large, 

 of fine colour and quality, and therefore valuable for home use 

 or for exhibition. In fact, some of the most noted Pear 

 exhibitors obtain their prize fruit from cordon-trees. The follow- 

 ing varieties crop freely if planted i8in. apart and are properly 

 attended to afterwards, as advised for Cordon-Apples : Alexandre 

 Lambre, a medium-sized Pear of very good quality on most 

 soils, and usually a great bearer; ripe about the middle of 

 November. Baron Leroy is a new and very promising variety 

 of large size and good colour ; ripe at the same time as the 

 last-named, and should prove a fine exhibition sort. Beacon 



is a large and very handsome 

 variety, of fair quality; middle of 

 August. Beurre Alexandre Lucas 

 and Beurre" Fouqueray are two 

 large handsome varieties of fine 

 flavour, and when better known 

 will be in demand for exhibition. 

 Beurre Baltet Pere is usually a 

 grand Pear on cordon-trees, being 

 very large, highly-coloured, and of 

 rich flavour; end of November. 

 Beurre" Hardy is very fine on all 

 forms of trees, excellent as a cordon, 

 and of fine quality; October. 

 Beurre Mortillet is a new variety, a 

 good grower and bearer, of first- 

 rate flavour, very large, and is 

 sure to be largely grown in the 

 future; September. Beurre Superfin is a well-known delicious 

 and prolific variety; November. Bon Chretien (Williams), 

 a well-known favourite, ripe in August; but to get it at 

 its best the fruit should be picked a little before it is 



Fig. 663.— Pear Thompson';.. 



