492 



THE GARDENERS' MAGAZINE. 



June 29, 1912. 



PEARS. 



From what can ibe seen at present^ this 

 promises to be one of the most fruitful pear 

 years we have had for a considerable period. 

 Truej there are some varieties that are not 

 carrying full crops of fruit, but this is not 



difficult to account for, seeing that all season of ripening, 

 kinds do not bloom at the same time, and 

 under the same conditions. As there were 



shorter, and there is more moisture, both 

 in the soil and in the atmosphere, trees do 

 not become so exhausted in maturing their 

 crops as is the case of such varieties as 



Clapp's Favourite and othei*s that ripen at 

 that period ; therefore^ the crop should be 

 regulated according to the variety and the 



several degrees of frost, with cold winds 

 prevailing, when some of the trees were in 

 bloom, failure of these to friiit can in a 

 measure be accounted for. Many of the 

 more choice kinds are doing well, particu- 

 larly where the tree^ received due atten- 

 tion in the way of spraying^ so as to rid 

 them of insect and other pests, and pro- 

 tection from frost. 



Cordons, whether on walls or in the open, 

 look very promising, and there can be no 

 doubt where only a small quantity of each 

 variety is required, this is the most eco- 

 nomical way of growing pears, as a greater 

 numher of the choicest kinds can be grown 

 than is the case where trees of larger dimen- 

 sions occupy the limited spaice at com- 

 mand. 



I notice, however, with some of the more 

 tender varieties growing in exposed places, 

 especially those having tough, hard skins, 

 that the fruits are affected more or less by 

 the late spring frosts, so much so with some 

 kinds that it has caused many of them to 

 present quite a rusty appearance. Some 

 would, no doubt, attribute this to the rav- 

 ages of insects, but as there could be no 

 red spider, thrips, and the like in cold 

 weather, when the plants are in bloom, 

 one may dismiss that idea without com- 

 ment ; others would have us believe that a 

 parasite of some kind has been at work, 

 and could be got rid of by the application 

 of some wash, but from very close observa- 

 tions, I have come to the conclusion that 

 this contraction of the skin is caused by 

 frost and cold winds when the fruits are 

 very small, and in some instances when the 

 trees were in bloom, and there was no foli- 

 age to give protection. On many occasions 

 I have looked over the trees in an evening 

 and noticed the fruit quite clear and free 

 from these specks, hut, on examining them 

 the following morning, after a frost, they 

 have been affected. Where there 

 fruits of thifi class, it is 'well not to com- 

 mence thinning too early, as in all pro- 

 bability many of them will fail to swell. 



While on this suhject of thinning, due 

 consideration should be given to the con- 

 dition of the trees, the variety under cul- 

 tivation, and the kind of stock on which the 

 tree is grafted. Some varieties of pears 

 grow very large, but when the trees are in 

 a vigorous condition, such should be 

 allowed to carry more fruit than those in 

 indifferent health. Pears do not need much 

 support until they commence to form their 

 pips therefore it is not advisahle to com- 

 mence thinning too s-oon, and when this 

 operation is performed, reduce the number 

 in the first instance, if the fruit be over- 

 crowded, to one on each truss ; if it be found 

 afterwards that a further reduction is 

 neede<l, go over the trees again, and remove 

 the small ill-placed fruits. 



Now, as to the number of fruit a tree 

 should carry. Much depends on the 

 variety. If the tree is vigorous, then three 

 fruit of the largest varieties may be allowed 

 to each foot of stem— that is, supposing a 

 cordon to be twelve feet in length, it should 

 be capable of carrying three dozen fruits of 

 the largest size, averaging, .say, a pound 

 each, or four dozen of a smaller size, while 

 at least five dozen may be allowed to re- 

 main of such kinds as Winter Xelis and 

 others of a like< lasi^. As the later varieties 

 swell more rapidly when the days become 



There are other things to be taken into 

 consideration in addition to thinning and 

 regulating the fruit, if we are desirous of 

 obtaining the finest results, for not only 

 must the specimens he of large size, but 

 they must possess good colour, and be of 

 the finest flavour. As neither of these 



be obtained 



unless during 



things can 



growth the fruit is exposed -to all the light 

 and air possible, it is evident that the 

 young shoots overshadowing them must be 

 removed early in the summer. It should 

 be the aim of the cultivator to keep his 

 trees in a healthy flourishing condition^ and 

 at the same time produce the finest speci- 

 mens possible. As this cannot be accom- 

 plished unless constant attention be paid 

 to the tree^s requirements, and one ha:S a 

 knowledge of essential conditions, it is 

 necessary to observe closely the difference 

 in the habit of each separate variety, as 

 no general rule can be laid down to show 

 how every kind should be treated. Some 

 varieties make strong, rampant growth, 

 which bloom but sparingly unless checked, 

 while others are of a more slender habit 



■ 



and flower most profusely each season. 

 Now to treat all alike would simply be 

 courting failure, whereas hy paying close 

 attention and observing how the numerous 

 varieties respond to different treatment, 

 one is able to judge the hest and most suit- 

 able time to perform the various operations 

 necessary to attain the desired end. Slen- 

 der growing varieties may be summer 

 pruned miich earlier than the strong grow- 

 ing ones without fear of their permanent 

 buds bursting ; therefore, it is well to take 

 this into consideration at the time of 

 summer pruning. 



As pears ripen at different seasons, their 

 fruit is of considerable value to those in 

 private establishments, both for dessert and 

 culinary use, and as many of the varieties 

 are in season when other kinds of fruit are 

 scarce, it is well worth considering, not 

 only how good crops can be secured, but 

 how they can be preserved to the best ad- 

 vantage. In large gardens where ample 

 room is at command, there is no reason 

 why a good quantity of the best late-keep- 



It is 



mg varieties should not be grown, 

 seldom now that we see large well-trained 

 trees oarrj^ing two or three bushels of fruit 

 each, neither is it desirable to have such 

 a large quantity of those kinds that only 

 remain in condition for a short period. It 

 would he far preferahle to grow more of 

 some of the hest late varieties that come 

 into use from December onwards than to 

 have so many of one kind that ripens in 

 October and are so soon spoiled. 



Many of the finest flavoured mid-season 

 pears do not remain in good condition more 

 than a day or two, especially if place<l in 

 a warm room. Ther^ is an inclination now- 

 adays to go in for size in preference to 

 flavour. I know from experience that ap- 

 pearance goes a long way in commanding 

 favour, but good looks are not everything. 

 8ome of our finest flavoured pears have not 

 the most showy appearance, and are dis- 

 carded on that account, and, though it is 

 possible to improve the flavour of many 

 things by superior cultivation, it would be 

 better to discard inferior varieties and grow 

 only those of proved sterling merit, espe- 

 cially as trees can no^v be made to produce 

 fruit in the course of a few years. 



H. C. PurKSEP. 



DELPHINIUMS, 



Delphiniums have always enjoyed a posi- 

 tion of prominence in decorative gardening 

 and their many sterling qualities un- 

 doubtedly account for this, for unlike some 

 other flowers, they have maintained their 

 position chiefly on account of that great 

 diversity of habit that admits their inolu- 

 sionj in gardens of any size, while the colour 

 range is a positive safeguard against the 

 evil of changeful fashion, that at times so 

 adversely affects flowers upon which the 

 florist has expended much time and ex- 

 pense. 



Few hardy horder flowers are distin- 

 guished by greater natural grace, elegance 

 and a certain stateliness of character, con- 

 sequently there are few positions in a gar- 

 den wherein delphiniums may not be em- 

 ployed to advantage; in borders the 

 extreme range of height and colour k 

 readily shown, and iwhen the latter is dis- 

 played' in distinct shades, they are particu- 

 larly impressive provided the varieties are 

 arranged in rather bold groups and the 

 growth is vigorous. 



Wherever space permits, most telling 

 effects are produced by planting whole beds 

 in masses or groups of distinct shades, an 

 arrangement that scarcely admits of im- 

 provement, as in this way the variety in 



modern delphiniums is disclosed in all its 

 wondrous beauty. 



The cultivation of delphiniums is by no 

 means diffiicult, as they succeed in any 

 ordinary garden soil that has heen deeply 

 trenched and liberally manured previous to 

 planting. The best results are obtained on 

 deep, friable loam, while on heavy solk 



der them 



some material to lighten and 

 warmer should be added at time of plant- 

 ing. On light soils the necessity of liberal 

 supplies of manure is very evident, as other- 

 wise the plants soon deteriorate ; this stimu- 

 lus may be applied to the plants in spring, 

 digging, or better, forking, it in among 

 the roots, to be followed by a heavy muloh- 

 ing of short manure in April, while during 

 periods of drought, the application of some 

 liquid manure will greatly assist perfect 

 development. 



The varieties that have loriginated in 

 gardens are most popular at the present 

 time, as they surpass the species in general 

 vigour, and, being more refined in colour, 

 they appeal to a much wider circle of plant 

 lovers. The varieties of these are innu- 

 merable, and it is only possible here to name 

 a few that are generally recognised as or 

 standard merit: 



King of Delphiniums, gentian blue and 

 purple, with white centre, spike narrow, 

 flowers double ; Francis F. Fox, deep blue 

 flushed purple, and eye white; Persimmon, 

 bright azure-blue, sulphur centre, large 

 flowers on branching spikes ; True ^^"^^^V^' 

 tense blue, with black eye,a very telling bor- 

 der flower; Hev. E. Lascelles, dark blue, 

 white centre, Aarrow spike ; oVIrs. J. S. Brun- 

 ton, bright hliie, white eye, spike loose ; mn- 

 dolero, viole^-mauve and blue, with white 

 eye, double; Moerheimi, the best of tne 

 white varieties ; Rev W. Wilks, rich purple- 

 plum colour, bla4^k eye ; M. Porion, sky-blue 

 flowers of ranunculus form ; iMrs. Creighton, 

 semi-double, deep blue, with rose-Anolet 

 centre ; and Queen Wilhelmina, the colour a 

 charming combination of soft blue and rose, 

 with white centre. 



Of dwarf varieties all the forms of g^f'™/' 

 florum are admirable border plants, tlaei 

 low stature and continuous flowering pro 

 perties rendering them particularly valu- 

 able in all planting of a composite ^f'^^^' 

 while in some instances the shades of bUie 

 are almost unique. The type grandiflorum 



