GEOUP I. SOUTHERN COUNTIES MIDDLESEX. 



37 



12. — J. Roberts, Gardener to Messrs. Rothschild, Gunnersbury 



Park, Acton. 



Number of Varieties Exhibited ... ... ... ... 48 



Observations. — Examples of fair average size and quality. 

 The following were noted as the more remarkable : Pitmaston 

 Duchess (from a cordon on the Pear), Marie Louise (from 

 pyramid), Beurre Clairgeau, Marie Louise d'Uccle, Beurre Bosc, 

 Thompson's, British Queen, Beurre Diel, and Van Mons Leon 

 Leclerc. 



13. — Royal Horticultural Society, Chiswick. 



Number of Varieties Exhibited ... ... ... ... 220 



Observations.'— YjX-Am-ples of moderate size, but in general 

 clear skinned and good in quality. The following were the most 

 noteworthy.: Beurre Superfin, Gansel's Bergamot, Urbaniste, 

 Marechal de la Cour, Beurre Hardy, Beurre Sterckmans, Louise 

 Bonne of Jersey, Beurre d'Amanlis, Beurre Defais. 



Exhibitor s Fwinar/cs. — Situation sheltered, but low-lying ; 

 consequently frequently subject to late spring frosts. Soil, 

 rather a heavy loam, approaching to clay ; subsoil, gravel. 

 The greater portion of the fruit shown was grown on pyramid 

 trees about 20 feet in height, chiefly on the Quince stock, 

 w^hich is found much more fruitful and suitable than the Pear, 

 being more directly amenable to cultural skill. The trees are 

 carefully pinched in summer, and spur-pruned during the winter. 

 The practice follo\yed is to stop the shoots during the month of 

 July at about the fifth bud from the base, taking care to stop 

 only those on the upper part of the tree, or such as may be 

 growing strong, the weaker shoots and those on the lower part 

 being allowed to grow for a week longer or more before stopping. 

 Thus checking the stronger first and permitting the weaker to grow 

 tends to regulate the flow of sap, and equalize the strength 

 throughout. Another very important matter is to keep the 

 branches thin and clear of each other, so that every part of the 

 tree may be freely exposed to the direct influence of the sun and 

 air. More pyramid trees, are rendered unfruitful through this 

 crowding of the shoots than from any other cause. 



Root-pruning is only resorted to occasionally (and generally 

 with those on the Pear stock), when the trees grow very 

 luxuriantly, and cannot otherwise be checked. During dry 

 weather the ground is mulched and well watered. 



