62 
them, and a great influx of sap takes place, whilst the rind of 
the Melon having become indurated and prepared for the ripen- 
ing process, cracks and bursts, through a surcharge of fluids. 
It is just so with Pears. They are seldom or never found to 
crack during the first swelling, or in the ripening process. If 
the trees are in sandy soil, and a dry period takes place in June, 
they become what gardeners term “hide-bound” — and the July 
rains, in many cases, become a severe test of their soundness. 
This, then, points to the propriety of choosing sound or some- 
what tenacious loams ; as also of laying on a mulching betimes, 
especially with those kinds which are so liable to crack. 
Having adverted to the spring disbudding of fruit trees, rather 
at large, in section 290, little on this subject need now be said. 
It may, however, be added, that all disbudding on the prin- 
ciples there laid down, should now be completed at once. Not 
a moment’s delay can be permitted. For, although young 
spray may remain in a crowded state with impunity, during the 
early summer months, such cannot be permitted in July and 
August, without perilling the welfare of the blossom in the en- 
suing spring. Light, — abundance of light, admitted to the 
leaf and the bud, is the great desideratum with all fruit trees. 
This is proved by the abundant blossom on most of our fruit 
trees, that usually follows a long bright summer. By this it is, 
— much more than by mere heat, that our continental neighbours 
succeed so much better than we do, with the tender sorts of 
Pears, to say nothing of the Vine. 
Disbudding, then, having been duly carried out, the next 
main point to attend to, is to stop, or pinch all luxuriant shoots; 
shoots; more especially on trained trees. These gross shoots 
are merely symptomatic of a powerful root action, and need only 
the assistance of a practised hand to divert their extra energies 
into the proper channels. Such shoots, if permitted to ramble 
at large, will divert the juices from the original fabric of the 
tree ; and create a fresh series of gross shoots, which will recip- 
rocate by the increased production of wild spray. These, then, 
should be constantly topped during the summer; and the con- 
sequence will be, that the true bearing wood will be strength- 
ened, and a succession of young shoots will be provided to the 
bottom of the tree. 
The above processes will bring us up to the middle of July, 
