148 TREATMENT OF THE 



shoots when they have arrived at a proper 

 state to require it. ( See directions already given 

 for this work.) 



It is very general to see healthy Pear trees 

 which produce an abundance of bloom but 

 set a very small proportion of fruit; this 

 is more particularly the case with the ten- 

 derest kinds. The reason of such barren- 

 ness is in some cases from the stamina being 

 destitute of farina, and in others from the 

 farina having been dispersed before the pis- 

 tillum had arrived at a proper state for its 

 reception. To remedy such defects, I adopt 

 the following practice. As soon as the florets 

 have expanded and the pistillum is in a pro- 

 per state of maturity, I impregnate six upon 

 each corymb of blossom. The florets which 

 I choose for this operation are those situated 

 nearest the origin of the spur, for when Pears 

 naturally set it is very generally such florets. 

 The time I choose for this operation is calm 

 dry days, and if possible when the sun is 

 not very hot upon the trees. Immediately 

 after this operation has been performed, I 

 give each tree about eighteen gallons of ma- 

 nure water, or soft pond water, at the roots. 

 The trees should never be washed over the 

 tops for a considerable time after this im- 

 pregnation has been effected. ^(See Chapter 

 on Peach and Nectarine trees.) 



Fifth Year. — Winter Pruning. — The spurs 

 a, and e, Fig. 2. will have borne fruit the 



