Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1908-06-25
DWARFING OF PEAR TREES.
Growers Say They Can More East
ly Cope With Pests.

Since the advent of the San Jose
scale much interest has been taken
in dwarf fruits, particularly In the
East, the reason being that with
small trees this most serious OF OF
chard pests may be more easily
combatted. Then, dwarfing induces
early bearing, and with pears In
particular extra size and quahty
are secured because Of the greater
ease with which small trees may
be pruned, thinnd and sprayed.
Dwarf pear trees. however. have
been in much favor with eastern
orchardists for many years. ana
many large and profitable orchards
are of this kind. Some of them are
profitable and the trees are In good
condition after having been planted
fifty years. This does not bear out
the common notion that dwarf
trees are short lived.
There is no mystery connected
with the dwarfing of trees. Cions
of standard varieties are grated or
budded on small growing species
within the family, or upon dwarf
forms OF the same species. In the
case of pears the stock used is the
ounce. The ounce Is slow grow
ing and seldom attains a height OF
more than twelve feet; usually less.
Some varieties of pears will not
unite with the ounce, SO what ls
known as double working" Is re-
| sorted to. This consists first IN
| grating a pear to variety whicn
ia known to unite with the ounce
! such as the Vicar; then, when this
has attained sufficient size, again
grating to the desired kind.
Dwarf pears should be planted
deeper than standards; the unions
OF cion and stock should be at least
four inches below the surface OF tn
ground. This is largely for tns
purpose of protecting the tree'
from breaking, as the union Dc
tween stock and cion is never tof
perfect. Some think 1t an advan'
taRe to have the pear cion taK'
root. as this results in stronger
tree. While this Is true. 1t has tn
disadvantage Of requiring more vi
eorous pruning Of the top In order
IN nreyent the tree from becoming
n too tall. In some instances 1t II
desirable to prune the roots as wei
hut this is not difficult matter
since they are formed SO near tnt
surface of the ground.
] Dwarf trees should not be allow
ed to attain a height greater thar
twelve feet. else the end sought II
planting them will be defeated. Sc
we're pruning must usually be prac
ticed. often as much as one-hai1 u
two-thirds of seasons grown
must be removed, especially durini
the early life OF the tree. BY care
ful training the top may be 81
spread that comparatively larg
amount OF bearing surface is Sc
cured. Dwarf pear trees are ofte'
n,anted as close as 10 feet apar
each way, making 435 trees to tn
l
8 acre. At this distance. the tree
e will be too close together; ID zee
: each way, or 1913 trees to the acre
D would no doubt be preferable.
t The culture Of dwarf pears zoe
not differ from that OF standard'
cA1. a-MIsC shrdl rdluu
but 1t is usually thought that IN
d ouince stock will thrive better i
u heavy soils. :,
4 Any variety OF pear may .
o dwarfed: the kinds most common
o nropa gated in this way are first
y al. the "Aniouleme." This var
.ty takes first rank. no doupt %
cause Of the large size OF the run
when we'll grown. Other popuis
kinds are the Louise" An)ou
! "c,,argnau and 70 a certain e
tent. the bartlett" and the seer
CIV. Paddock. professor OF DO
| arv and horticulture. State Aer
! cultural college. Fort Collins, COL