PEARS. 



109 



standards or half-standards (which is a prefer- 

 able form where the trees are not exposed to 

 injuries by cattle) are necessary, and the prin- 

 cipal means of avoiding excessive luxuriance 

 and a prolonged period of development is to 

 consider the soil before planting. In rich soil 

 magnificent trees will be obtained, but fruiting 

 will be delayed in proportion to the rapidity of 

 growth; in comparatively poor soil or on chalk 

 there is a prospect that crops may be obtained 

 within a reasonable time. It is desirable that 

 all orchards of Pear-trees on the free stock 

 should be in grass after they are established, 

 for this exerts an additional check on the 

 vigour (see Plate). In cultivated land the 

 trees are encouraged to increased growth, unless 

 a close system of intermediate cropping with 

 vegetables is adopted, which necessitates fre- 

 quent digging, thus performing a kind of rough 

 root-pruning. 



By far the most useful form of Pear-trees for 

 general purposes, either in private gardens or 

 commercial plantations, are the bush and 

 pyramid, to the latter of which the natural 

 habit of the tree is most suited (fig. 906, and 

 Plate). Upon the free stock large and vig- 

 orous pyramidal specimens can be had, and 

 with due care in root -pruning a moderately 

 early fertility can be induced provided the soil 

 and other conditions be favourable. Handsome, 

 well-proportioned, healthy, and prolific trees in 

 this form are both profitable and attractive, and 

 they are worth the trouble they demand, at 

 least as a part of a plantation. Upon the 

 Quince, however, either single or double grafted, 

 we obtain the most serviceable trees for the 

 majority of gardens, and wherever fruit is re- 

 quired as quickly as possible after planting, 

 such trees are indispensable. The most vigor- 

 ous varieties are moderated in their strength 

 on this stock, and in the early years of the 

 tree's life the difference between those of the 

 same variety on the two classes of stocks is as 

 marked in the flowering and fruiting as it is in 

 the growth. In either of the two principal 

 forms, i.e. bush and pyramid, excellent trees 

 can be had on Quince roots of all the best 

 varieties now that double-grafting has removed 

 the difficulty that at one time rendered it im- 

 possible to purchase or raise useful Pears of 

 certain varieties on the dwarfing stock. 



A modification of the pyramidal form is the 

 columnar or cylindrical (fig. 907), which is grown 

 of nearly equal width from the base to the apex 

 of the tree. It is convenient for planting 

 where space is limited, but it has not much to 



recommend it in other respects, and is certainly 

 not so handsome as a well-grown pyramidal or 

 conical tree. 



In the artificial and more exact systems of 

 training, the espalier with its various forms is 



Fig. 907.— Columnar Pear in Flower. 



well adapted for the Pear, as it allows more 

 freedom of extension than some of the others. 

 The horizontal espalier, in which the lateral 

 branches start on each side of the main stem at 

 right angles, i.e. horizontally, in successive tiers, 

 until the requisite height is reached, is that in 

 most general use. The position of the branches 

 tends to check excessive growth, and the tree 



