ON FRUIT CULTURE. 



1027 



given. Manure in a diluted form from the farmyard, or the 

 chemical manures now on the market, are all very good and 

 essential when the trees are bearing good crops. 



Peach Curl is a very common disease due to the fungus 

 Exoascus deformans. As the specific name implies, it deforms 

 the parts affected. The leaves are curled, blackened, and 

 frequently distorted, but the branches also participate, and the trees 

 generally are much injured. Apart from the characteristics above 

 noted, the leaves affected assume a yellowish or red colour, and 

 fall. The disease manifests itself in spring, and both infested 

 leaves and shoots should be removed and burnt. Spraying with 

 a weak solution of Bordeaux Mixture should be used to prevent 

 the spores which are disseminated, from germinating, and thus 

 increasing the area of infection. 



Pears. 



lii^THE Open. — For market purposes the Pear is one of the most 

 uncertain fruits that are grown in this country ; but for private 

 consumption it is essential that some trees should be planted, 

 the actual number of course depending on the size of the garden 

 and the requirements of the family. The old idea that Pears 

 are such a long time in arriving at a bearing state is now quite 

 exploded. Really good Pears are produced the second year after 

 planting ; indeed, many trees will bear the first year, but it is 

 never advisable to permit this, as it weakens them before becoming 

 well established, and so induces a stunted habit that will cling 

 to the trees for years. 



As already mentioned in another part, gardens are so different 

 in their soil, «S:c., that no hard and fast rule can be laid down 

 as correct for all alike : local conditions must determine not only 

 the best form of trees and the most suitable stocks, but also to 

 some extent even the varieties, otherwise mistakes may be made 

 that would have a very evil influence on future results. The 

 question of stocks for Pears is a very serious one, and careful 

 consideration as to the one likely to prove most serviceable on 

 the soil in hand, and the form of tree best adapted to the position, 

 is essential. On a hght, shallow, or very hot soil, the Quince 

 is nearly always a failure, for even though it frequently succeeds 

 admirably for a few years, it is practically certain to fail eventually 

 and drag on a miserable existence ; one or two dry, hot seasons 

 will so cripple the trees, in spite of watering or mulching, that 

 they will be of little value afterwards. If we could always depend 

 on moist summers the Quince stock might be employed ; but as 

 we have no control of climatic or atmospheric conditions it will 

 be best to purchase trees worked upon the Pear stock for the 

 hot soils named, as the roots of this stock extend further and 

 penetrate more deeply than the Quince roots, consequently they 

 do not suffer from drought to the same extent. On deep, rich 



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