CHAP. VII.] 
THE PEAR, 
221 
standard differs very little from that of the 
apple; and though it is naturally rather a 
deeper-rooted plant* it requires its fibrous 
roots to be kept near the surface. There is a 
general complaint in gardens against pear- 
trees as bad bearers* and very healthy-looking 
trees have been known to exist twenty years in 
a garden without ever even showing any blos¬ 
soms. Various causes have a tendency to pro¬ 
duce this effect. The pear being naturally 
inclined to send down its roots* will do so* 
unless effectually prevented by a chambered 
border* or a hard rocky sub-soil; and if the 
spongioles of the roots are allowed to descend 
out of the reach of the air* the stagnant 
moisture of the sub-soil will produce the 
same effect on them as on those of the 
apple. Planting pear-trees in a very rich 
stiff soil has a similar effect. Injudicious 
pruning* particularly in summer* is another 
cause; as cutting in young shoots* while the 
sap is in motion* has a tendency to make the 
tree throw out two new shoots in the room of 
every one removed* and thus to exhaust itself 
in producing branches. Summer shoots 
should either be checked by disbudding as 
