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336 WISCONSIN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Whenever a limb is taking a wrong course—a bud starting 
where it is readily seen it will mar the beauty of the tree, or 
destroy the proper balance, they should be cut out with a sharp 
knife. While the limbs, or perhaps mere buds, are so small, 
and the tree thrifty, the very small wounds 'made will soon heal 
over, with no detriment to the tree’s growth. If not done till 
the coming season, or even thereafter, too much care cannot be 
used in removing the large limbs with a fine saw, and after¬ 
wards paring smoothly with a sharp knife, and applying a coat¬ 
ing of grafting "wax, or thick paint; even clay will adhere, and is 
much better than nothing. This pruning of large limbs must 
be done early in the season; and, if before the most rapid flow 
of the sap, all the better. If coated, as advised, the wound 
will heal over much sooner than if done later. I have also 
found it advisable to examine all fruit trees early in June— 
scrape off moss, if any, and give a thorough washing with soap¬ 
suds, thus removing all lodging places for insects, renovating 
the bark, and giving it a clear and healthy appearance. Trees 
thus managed remain healthy a long time, and are an honor to 
the orchardist and to the country. 
THE PEAR 
Has been the “favorite fruit of modern times,” and but 
a few years since promised much to the orchardist through¬ 
out the West. But the ignorance attending its cultivation, 
as well as selection of varieties adapted to different stocks, 
and to our climate, has made it a disheartening enterprise. 
The remarks on selections of orchard sites, properly in¬ 
clude the pear, plum and cherry. The soil best suited to 
the pear is a sandy, gravelly loam, so situated that the surface 
water readily drains off. The under-drainage must also be 
good, as no pear tree will live a long life in a healthy condition, 
with ivet feet. A cheap and convenient way of underdraining 
for the pear, is to dig the holes for the tree well into the gravel, 
passing through the loams, clay, Ac., then fill up to within 
twelve or fifteen inches of the surface with quarry rubbish, or 
