Pyrus Sorbus. There are three varieties. P. S. maliformis, apple-shaped; P. S. pyriformis, pear-shaped; P. S. bacciformis, berry-shaped.

Propagation

By Grafting on the apple, medlar, and hawthorn.

By Cuttings. See Apple.

By Seed

The berries ripen abundantly in autumn, which is the proper time for sowing them when perfectly ripe. Sow them as soon after they are gathered as possible, selecting a spot of lightish ground, and dividing it into four-feet-wide beds, in which sow the berries in drills an inch deep. Some of them will rise the following spring; they, however, frequently remain till the second spring before they come up; observing in either case, that in the spring following, when the seedlings are a year old, they should be planted out in nursery rows, to remain till they acquire a proper size for final transplantation at thirty feet apart.

By Layers

Having some of the trees while young cut down near the ground, they will throw out lower shoots, which being layered in the common way in autumn and spring, will readily emit roots, and be fit to transplant in nursery rows in one year.

Soil

Clayey loam well drained suits it best.

Culture

They are best trained as dwarf standards or espaliers. See Medlar.

Gather the fruit in autumn, and treat it like that of the medlar.