ABSTRACTS. 



1177 



causes what is popularly known as Pear-leaf Blister. Spraying with 

 paraffin emulsion diluted with water is stated to be an effectual remedy 

 for the disease. — W. G. 



Pear * Madame Ballet.' By F. Morel (Bev. Hort. No. 20, Oct. 16, 

 1902, p. 480). — Coloured plate representing a very handsome Pear, fully 

 described and highly recommended. Raised by M. Ballet, nurseryman, 

 Parenty (Rhone).— C. T. D. 



Pear-Trees, Treatment of non-fruiting*. By George Bellair (Bev.. 

 Hort. No. 20, Oct. 16, 1902, pp. 183-4 ; two woodcuts).— Trees which 

 have a tendency to run to unfruitful wood should not merely have their 

 shoots shortened, but the upper buds on the retained portions should be 

 destroyed, retaining the leaves intact. The result is a determination of 

 vigour to the basal buds, which thus become flower-buds, while other- 

 wise the upper buds are apt to start into infertile growth instead. 



C. T. D. 



Pecans. By F. H. Burnette, Wm. C. Stubbs, and H. A. Morgan 

 (U.S.A. Agr. Exp. St?i. Louisiana, Bull. 69, illustrated). — A pamphlet 

 prepared to meet the increasing demand for information concerning the 

 cultivation and habits of the Pecan Nut Hicoria Pecan (Britt.), Carya- 

 olivceformis (Nutt.), a species of the Hickory. 



It is found growing naturally in the alluvial soils of the Mississippi 

 valley, and evidently prefers a moist subsoil ; yet, with cultivation, proper- 

 fertilisation, and the use of improved varieties, profitable orchards may be 

 established upon poor soils. 



It is a rapid grower, and in Louisiana becomes a large forest tree, 

 bearing very large, thin-shelled nuts. Further north the trees are still 

 large, but the nuts are small, with hard shells. 



The old method of raising trees from seedlings having been found 

 very uncertain (the resulting nuts being, in many cases, inferior to those 

 sown), the general practice now is to grow seedlings and then graft or 

 bud proved varieties upon them. 



Ring or annular, and veneer or flute budding, are both used ; and 

 whip and tongue, or the common cleft-grafting, is practised in spring. 



The buds and grafts should be taken from bearing trees, as these fruit 

 sooner than those taken from young undeveloped trees. 



Seventy feet apart in the orchards is close enough for most varieties. 



In transplanting young trees from the nursery the greatest care 

 should be taken to preserve the long tap-root from damage. 



Trees planted in rich alluvial soil require little or no fertilising. 



Where the fertiliser is to be applied to mature trees in poor soil,, 

 nitrogen, potash, and phosphoric acid should be mixed in equal pro- 

 portions. 



In alluvial soils, where potash is frequently present, it may be 

 omitted. 



For young growing trees, nitrogen should be in excess, two parts to 

 one each of phosphoric acid and potash. Upon sandy soils, nitrogen is 

 so important for young trees that they should be constantly cropped 



