32 
ing systems, a very safe rule, providing due care be taken to 
secure a proper staple of soil. Ripening of the Wood is 
the foundation of the whole matter ; and this will be always 
best attained by keeping the main portion of the roots near to 
the surface of the soil. Of course no digging can ever be 
allowed over the roots of trees thus situated. 
Mr. Hoare, who has lately written on Vine Culture, recom- 
mends a compost for the cultivation of the Vine out of doors, 
composed of rough bricks, plaster, charcoal, and bone waste, 
without any soil, if 1 remember correctly. This is, indeed, 
practising in extremes; and the plan has, I believe, in part 
failed. He will, however, have done much good; as it is, I 
conceive, a movement in the right direction. 
The atmosphere of Britain is moist and sunless, as compared 
with that of France and Belgium, where most of these Pears 
attain a high degree of perfection. With us these valuable 
fruit-trees are frequently found in deep and rich soils, rapidly 
increasing their young wood at the end of August ; whilst 
those on the Continent are concentrating all their energies for 
the perfect ripening of their wood, and the flavouring of their 
fruit. Hence the rationale of the platform system. Every- 
body must have observed how grass lawns “burn,” as it is 
called, over the covering of shallow drains. The soil loses 
its moisture sooner in such places, and moreover becomes 
sooner heated through by the sun’s rays ; and this, applied to 
the Pear, or other tender fruit tree, leads to an early cessation 
of the growth; besides a continual tendency to produce short- 
jointed wood during the growing season. 
I will now proceed to consider the subject of Compost, for 
the more tender kinds. To obtain as perfect a control over the 
roots as possible, the soil should be of a sound loamy character, 
and rather adhesive in its nature. If a light sandy loam were 
used, it would be so likely to participate in the vicissitudes of 
the atmosphere, that the tiees on such shallow beds would 
make scarcely any wood in dry seasons, and the fruit would be 
liable to crack. As much turf as possible should be included ; 
and it should, by all means, be filled into the station in a dry 
state. Stations, for very superior kinds, should be made 
entirely of fresh pasture soil of this character, excepting where 
it can be mixed with any half-decomposed vegetable refuse. 
