FEBRUARY. 
21 
tion for final selection; yet in practice I feel convinced, reasoning from 
analogous circumstances, that it is bad policy on our part; because excessive 
blossom-bearing is a very exhausting process, and when a branch which is only 
calculated to carry two fruit to perfection is allowed to expend its energies and 
strength in bringing twelve or even fifteen up to the thinning point, it is quite 
evident that the greater proportion of the strength and energy so expended is 
for all practical purposes completel} 7 thrown away, and that the fruit remain¬ 
ing, although probably fine in the usual acceptance of the term, is not so fine or 
even full-flavoured as it might have been had some of the wasted strength 
been husbanded for its use. If such a waste of strength is permitted to pass 
unobserved in trees which may certainly be considered comparatively well 
managed, how great must be the waste where the fruit is never thinned until 
it reaches the stoning point, and the removal of superfluous growth takes place 
when the shoots have grown 6 or 9 inches. 
The full advantages to be derived from good management can only be 
secured when the necessary operations are systematically conducted in a gradual 
and progressive manner, that no strength be wasted in the production of either 
wood or fruit which must eventually be removed. Now, as the application of 
principles, although common to all in most respects, yet vary in the mode in 
different varieties, I think it will be better when I resume the subject to select 
a few of the more popular sorts of fruit, and make a few remarks bearing on 
the practical application of those principles to each. 
Redleaf. John Cox. 
THE PREMATURE RIPENING OF PEARS IN 1865. 
With me the most of the late-keeping Pears ripened in 1865 quite out of 
their usual season, and I fear this is general by the reports from Covent Garden 
Market of the short supply of Pears now coming in there. The only varieties 
left here for use at the present time are Suzette de Bavay, Prince Albert, Ne 
Plus Meuris, Belle de Noel, and Leon de Clerc de Laval, a variety that will 
keep as hard as a stone till June or July, and seldom become melting even 
then. Doyenne du Comice, Colmar, Surpasse Crasanne, Glou Morceau, Easter 
Beurre, and Beurre de Bance, all anticipated their usual season in ripening, and 
are now all consumed. No doubt the very dry summer in the midland counties, 
and the great heat of September and beginning of October, would cause Pears 
to ripen prematurely, and this must have had some effect on their keeping- 
qualities. 
I had this autumn some very large specimens of Pears, ripened in pots, of 
the following sorts :—Marie Louise, Huy she’s Victoria, British Queen, Beurre 
Diel, Doyenne du Comice, Beurre de Ranee, and Glou Morceau; but these 
came in true to the season, having had plenty of water, when trees in the 
borders were suffering from the drought in September. 
Welbeck. William Tillery. 
ON PEARS AT CHRISTMAS. 
The past season was favourable for ripening Pears, especially late ones ; but 
there have been complaints respecting their quality, and their not keeping. I 
had, however, the following kinds at Christmas:—Broompark, from an espalier, 
good, but nearly done ; also Van Mons Leon le Clerc. Beurre de Ranee, off 
walls with south and east aspects, was excellent, but, as usual, some of the fruit 
ripened at the end of November, while others of the same gathering may keep 
