154 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ August 25, 1887. 
loam, resting on gravel and sand. Our soil being light, it is 
trenched deeply before planting, a few half-inch bones being all 
the manure that is mixed directly with the soil, preference being 
given to manuring by surface mulchings of farm or stable-yard 
manure. As a rule, the trees are lifted and replanted the second 
year after being first planted, a plan that, as regards trees on the 
Quince stock, renders any further root-pruning to promote fertility 
unnecessary. Trees on the Pear stock are treated exactly the same 
when first planted, but they grow so luxuriantly that we have to 
partially root-prune them once in three years. As regards pruning, 
the young growths being closely pinched back twice during the 
summer, very little winter pruning is needed other than the removal 
of a shoot that may be crowding another, or a long spur that has 
become budless at its base. I have a decided preference for the 
Quince stock, but it should be understood that high feeding is a 
necessity to keep the trees growing ; fruiting goes without saying— 
those who don’t mean to feed, and don’t like hard work, and yet 
want a few Pears, should stick to the natural stock.” 
Though, as will be seen from the above extracts, the 
Pear stock is better adapted than the Quince to certain 
soils and positions, yet the evidence convened in the 
Report is overwhelmingly in favour of the latter, and for 
the reason mainly that its roots do not as a rule extend 
so far nor penetrate so deeply as do those of the Pear 
stock, and consequently more quickly appropriate the 
virtues of manures that are applied to the advantage of 
the trees and crop. This is not overlooked in the remarks 
accompanying the fruit that was sent from Chiswick, in 
which also are embodied good hints on summer pruning, 
and the necessity of a thin disposal of the main branches 
of the trees. Here are those remarks:— 
“ 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, which 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 followed 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 equalise 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 oc¬ 
casionally (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.” 
It will be admitted from the few examples given that 
this Report abounds in useful information pertaining to 
culture, and at the same time lists of varieties of Pears 
are furnished that have been found suited to the various 
districts of the kingdom, the selections having been made 
by cultivators in the different localities. 
The Report concludes with an audit of the Pears 
selected by the exhibitors, the poll being taken for the 
whole of Great Britain, varieties that obtained only one 
vote being omitted. A column is also provided showing the 
number of dishes staged of the selected varieties. As is 
stated in comment on the results of the audit: — 
“ These returns are instructive as showing the appreciation in 
which particular varieties are held throughout the country. Marie 
Louise stands at the head of the list as the most popular Pear, 
having been selected ninety-eight times out of a possible 100. 
Louise Bonne of Jersey is second favourite, having received eighty- 
seven votes, closely followed by Williams’ Bon Chretien for the 
third place, eighty-six votes. Of those exhibited at the Conference, 
Beurre Diel heads the list, 194 dishes of this variety having been 
staged, Marie Louise coming second, 155 dishes, and iLouise Bonne 
of Jersey third, 132 dishes. 
“ Amongst Pears suited for orchard culture, the popular variety 
is Williams’ Bon Chretien, this having been selected fifty times ; 
and, secondly, Louise Bonne of Jersey, forty-six times ; Beurre de 
Capiaumont third, thirty-eight times ; and of stewing Pears, Catillac, 
Uvedale’s St. Germain, and Bellissime d'Hiver secured the highest 
number of votes respectively. 
“ It may be noted that of the old-fashioned Pears, if we except 
the Jargonelle and Hessel, scarcely any of the others have merited 
a place, even for orchard cultivation ; such varieties may therefore 
be considered as worthless and should be discarded.” 
In respect to the Marie Louise Pear there appears to 
be a misprint, for in the tabulated list 93 votes are 
recorded. The hardy and useful old orchard Pear called 
“ Hessel” derives its name from the Yorkshire village of 
Hessle. As the Report will be taken as an authority on 
Pears the greatest possible accuracy is desirable in the 
rendering of their names, and it is pleasant to observe 
that out of so many the “ slips ” are so few. All gar¬ 
deners and amateurs who are interested in Pears and 
their culture should possess this comprehensive, sugges¬ 
tive and interesting Report. 
ASPARAGUS CULTURE. 
(Continued from page 93.) 
Varieties. —Some persons see no difference in this respect, but to> 
my eye there is considerable difference in the varieties, yet for all 
practical purposes the variations may be deduced to three—viz., Early 
Purple-topped Agenteuil, the earliest, large, quick, and abundant in pro¬ 
duce, and hardy ; Coonover’s Colossal, large, paler, and not so abundant 
cropping as either of the others, nor so hardy or early ; Giant, or Batter¬ 
sea, large abundant cropping, and in every respect excellent. All are 
good. I prefer them in the order named ; the first for its earliness, the- 
second for its size, and the third for good cropping qualities. 
Situation. —It must be open, exposed to every ray of sun, and 
catching every breeze. There is advantage in warmth if it is not dry¬ 
ing, and in shelter if not drawing, therefore keep the plants or beds 
away from trees, hedges, and walls to avoid their shading and drying 
effects. 
Raising Plants. —Asparagus is raised from seed either by sowing 
where the plants are to remain, or for transplanting. Which is the better 
plan 1 It depends on circumstances. There is a consideration as regards the 
seedlings. The seeds may be off the same haulm, yet the seedlings will 
have degrees of excellence, and the transplanting admits of a choice of 
plants, which is precluded by sowing where they are to remain. Ground 
is in many places a consideration, and sowing for transplanting allows 
of a more profitable employment of the soil. Those are weighty con¬ 
siderations, but I prefer sowing where the plants are to remain, for I 
fail to see what is culturally effected by transplantation beyond con¬ 
venience, and what is lost in ground is made up in the earlier and 
superior produce. The spaces between the seedlings can be utilised for 
the first two or three years, so that there is no waste of ground. This is 
a consideration, and one that had better be left out, for between- 
cropping takes from the ground we have considered necessary for the 
successful cultivation of Asparagus, and the soil is impoverished for 
Asparagus to the extent of the crop taken ; therefore I ask that the 
ground set apart for Asparagus be not impoverished by alien crops, for 
if between-cropping is necessary to utilise the ground the principal is 
too distantly placed for its profitable occupation. These considerations 
raise moot questions—the best methods of growing Asparagus so as to 
obtain the best returns from the land, for we must allow of there being 
two sides to the question—viz., grand results irrespective of space and 
means, and profitableness resulting from a judicious employment of land 
and means. I shall, perhaps, best meet all tastes and requirements by 
describing the methods most advisable to attain the desired object. 
In order to raise plants for transplanting I sow the seed in drills 
1 foot apart, and an inch deep early in April, covering with fine soil. 
Every fifth row is omitted for convenience of cleaning. The seeds 
are placed 2 inches apart, and all are allowed to grow until early June, 
when or before which they will be in second “ feather.” Now mark the 
plants well. Some will have a strong first feather, and a second growth 
coming, or to be much stronger. That is the one wanted. Others will 
have weaker and more numerous feathers ; grub those out with a hand- 
fork, leaving those that have single and strong feather as near 6 inches 
apart as we can get them. The exact distance is not material, the main 
thing is to get the plants of the character indicated, as the plants are 
only intended to remain a year before transplanting. The first feather 
is to be cut away in favour of the second when the latter overtops it, or 
when it is well advanced in growth, and this second shoot is to be shown 
every favour through the season, cutting all others away coming after 
early July, but if there arise another stronger shoot by midsummer day 
and the setting in of the dog days, select it, and cut away the second—in 
fact, save the best of the shoots appearing by or before midsummer, and 
cut all others away right through the season, as any coming after that 
time have no chance of forming well ripened buds. If a strong shoot 
