On the Reverse Grafting of a Pear Tree, #c. 397 



and by cutting off the greater part of the spurs of the brancli 

 intended to be grafted, the scions take readily, and shoot 

 freely. The fruit sent is the produce of the reverse grafts, 

 the fifth season after grafting, but this season is not the first ; 

 these grafts having produced fruit before. The Calliot 

 Rosat, the Muscatel, and the Orange Bergamot, produced 

 the third season from the graft, the Gansel's, the Orms- 

 kirk, and the York Bergamots, produced fruit the fourtli 

 season ; this was last year, in which the weather was so fine 

 that the Pears were superior in size to this year s produce, 

 and were also of delicious flavour. The intermediate hori- 

 zontal branches are intended to be divested of spurs, or per- 

 haps removed altogether, as may be judged most expedient 

 hereafter. 



I was induced to try the above method of grafting, in con- 

 sequence of the usual defect of horizontally trained trees, 

 viz. barrenness to some distance on either side of the main 

 stem, while the extremities of the branches are fruitful. It 

 promises to remedy this, and it also affords the advantage of 

 growing a number of kinds of Pear upon a small space of wall, 

 for any desired kinds may be put upon the same tree. A full 

 grown Pear Tree, bearing a moderate crop, in many kinds, 

 yields more fruit than sufficient to supply the dessert for a 

 family, while the kind is in season, hence the advantage of 

 growing more than one sort on a tree. The succession of 

 Pears is rendered more complete, where the same sort is 

 worked on branches in different aspects. 



I remain, Sir, your obedient Servant, 



HomcJc, near Almcich, WlLLIAM BALFOUR. 



October 25th, 1823. 



