120 GEOUP V. — WESTERN COUNTIES HEREFORDSHIRE. 



Observations. — Examples of fair average merit, those of 

 Duchesse d'Angouleme, Marie Louise, Louise Bomie of Jersey, 

 and Doyenne Boussocli, from walls, very good ; those from 

 standards poor. 



Exhibitors lieuiarks. — Situation, somewiiat exposed. Soil, 

 hazel loam ; subsoil, gravel and conglomerate marl. The most 

 of the fruits sent are from old wall trees on the Pear 

 stock, w^hich have been regrafted. The spurs are allowed 

 to grow their first summer's growth without stopping or 

 pinching ; then, instead of pruning back, we slip with the 

 thumb and finger the strong shoots off quite clean, leaving 

 no bud to grow again ; thus we have only that left which 

 is likely to form fruit-buds. By this system we have 

 not failed to have a crop of fruit from these trees for the 

 last 30 years. In trenching the ground the larger roots are cut. 

 We mulch in dry summers, and apply a dressing of manure 

 every season. I have come to the conclusion, that if old 

 trees are properly treated and attended to, as good fruit may be 

 obtained from them as from younger trees, and a general good 

 crop may be depended upon. 



6. — A. Ward, The Gardens, Stoke Edith Park, Hereford. 

 Number of Varieties Exhibited ... ... ... ... 37 



Observations. — Fruit very fine and well grown, mostly from 

 wall trees, cordon trained. The following were specially noted ; 

 Easter Beurre, Marechal de la Cour, Pitmaston Duchess, 

 General Tottleben, Doyenne du Cornice, from w^alls ; and Marie 

 Louise and Durondeau, fi'om pyramids. 



Exhibitor s Remarks. — Situation, on the northern slope of a 

 neighbouring hill, well sheltered. A great many of the Pear 

 trees here are growing on a zigzag or waving wall. Soil, deep 

 sandy loam of the old red sandstone formation, admirably suited 

 for fruit culture. 



7. — John Watkins, Pomona Farm, Withington, Hereford. 



Number of Varieties Exhibited ... ... ... ... 39 



A selection of the best Perry Pears of the district. 

 Grown on standard trees ; soil, stiff loam ; subsoil, clay or 

 marl. 



