508 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



nientioued for the different varieties of apples. A considerable num 

 ber of these have already been worked out and investigations are 

 now being carried on whereby it is hoped that the soil adaptations 

 of all the leading varieties of these fruits also may be accurately 

 determined. 



PEARS FOR MARKET AND HOME USES. 



By Miss Mary M. Haines, Cheltenham, Pa. 



In looking into the subject assigned to me, I was much interested 

 in some statements made by Mr. A, J. Downing, in his book, "Fruit 

 and Fruit Trees of America," written now 50 years ago. According 

 to Mr. Downing, pears were cultivated in Syria, Greece and Egypt in 

 very ancient times, and were known to the early Romans, but ap- 

 parently not so favorably known as to the present-day Americans, 

 for one of the early writers says, "All pears whatsoever are but a' 

 heavy meat unless they are well boiled or baked." It was left to the 

 seventeenth century to develop the really delicious qualities of the 

 fruit when English and Continental growers vied with each other 

 in their productions. Belgium produced many varieties and is 

 spoken of as the Eden of the pear tree. 



Under the more modern cultivators, varieties increased rapidly and 

 we are told that in the middle of the last century "more than 700 

 kinds, collected from all parts of the world, had been proved in the 

 celebrated experimental garden of the Horticultural Society of Lon- 

 don;" of course, many of these were of little or no value and were 

 soon lost sight of. But, from the long list which was left, and 

 which has since been added to, it is difificult to make a selection to 

 suit all tastes. One's early prejudices cannot fair to enter into the 

 choice, and what one person might recommend another would cast 

 aside. Again, many varieties that are excellent for home use would 

 not answer for a commercial orchard, or those grown in one locality 

 very satisfactorily may not succeed at all in another. 



In gathering the fruit, especially for home use, it is well to bear in 

 mind the rule that, with few exceptions, pears are much better in 

 flavor and also often more highly colored if picked early and ripened 

 in the house, the time to gather them being indicated by the size 

 and coloring of the fruit and also by the readiness with which the 

 pear separates from its branch when it is gently raised from its 

 hanging position. 



When the fruit is gathered it may be spread out on the floor of 

 a cool, dry room or cellar to ripen; certain choice varieties may be 

 laid between the folds of an old blanket while ripening, and ijoth 

 flavor and color will be improved. Winter pears may be wrapped 

 singly in paper or packed in straw and left in boxes till near the 

 time they are wanted, when a few days in a warmer room will im- 

 prove them. Perhaps no other fruit unless it be peaches is so sen- 



