456 Transactions op the 



would suggest to this Club that they extend a general invitation to those 

 having seedling fruit of any kind to exhibit specimens, with description 

 of habit and growth of tree, and that a legitimate name be given to all 

 such varieties as are found worthy of general cultivation. 



PEARS. 



The pear has perhaps attracted more attention during the past two 

 years than any other kind of fruit in California, from the fact of its hav- 

 ing become an article of commerce with Eastern cities. I believe the 

 pear grows more universally perfect all over the State than any other 

 kind of fruit, and that it can be grown to perfection on a greater variety 

 of soils. The pear tree grows well upon soils strongly alkaline, where 

 hardly any other kind of fruit can be made to mature without first 

 neutralizing the effects of the alkali. It thrives on dry land, and will 

 stand more water without injury than any other fruit tree with which I 

 am acquainted. A loamy soil with clay bottom I regard as the very 

 best soil- on which to grow standard trees. Dwarf trees should not be 

 cultivated except on alluvial bottom lands, if you desire profit or satis- 

 faction from their culture. Standard trees should not be planted less 

 than twenty-five feet apart each way, and dwarf from eight to ten — 

 I prefer ten. Many vaideties of pears are inclined to overbear in this 

 country, particularly those that only produce crops alternate years, 

 so that it becomes an absolute necessity to thin the fruit on such trees. 

 There is no excuse for growing inferior pears in any portion of Califor- 

 nia, except bad culture. There is more skill required in gathering pears 

 at the right time and ripening them so they will attain their greatest 

 perfection than any other kind of fruit. It is difficult to describe just 

 when to gather the crop. An expert will tell by the appearance of the 

 fruit, but ordinary fruit gatherers cannot, unless they remain on the 

 trees too long, which will not allow of their being shipped at any great 

 distance; and if they are gathered too soon they shrivel and lose their 

 flavor. The parting of the stem from the spur when lifted by the hand, 

 is perhaps the surest indication for gathering Summer and Autumn varie- 

 ties. Winter varieties should be left on the trees as long as practicable. 

 Pears keep better in masses and ripen with a better flavor and higher 

 color in a dark room, which should always be clean and free from any 

 strong odor. Tears should always be gathered with the greatest care, 

 as the slightest bruise will cause them to decay before maturing. 



In regard to keeping Winter pears, Mr. Barry says, " that after many 

 years experience he has found the most effective means of preserving- 

 Winter pears to be late gathering, packing away carefully only sound 

 fruit in close barrels, leaving them in an open shed, only protected from 

 rain and the direct rays of the sun, as long as the temperature is above 

 the freezing point." The keeping quality of pears in California is very 

 much affected by the soil and climate in which they are grown. Since 

 the completion of the Pacific Eailroad pear culture becomes of more 

 importance perhaps than that of any other kind of fruit. But for those 

 engaged in it the growing of the most perfect fruit will be the only 

 means of making the Eastern markets available. The following varie- 

 ties are cultivated more generallj- throughout the State than any others: 

 Madeleine, Bloodgood, Beurre Clifford, Dearborn's Seedling, Clapp's 

 Favorite, Bartlett, Seckle, Duchess D'Angouleme, Beurre Bosc, Beurre 

 D'Anjou, Beurre Clargeau, Beurre Hardy, Doyenne du Courmica, White 

 Doyenne, Louisa Beurre de Jersey, Onondaga (Swan's Orange), Stevens' 



