84 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



I pick my pears as soon as they get their growth, and begin 

 to turn yellow. They ripen in from two to four weeks. I 

 have never tried how to keep them best and longest. 



I cannot recommend varieties for profit. I do not raise 

 them for market. I go more for quality than quantity. I 

 am aware that the Flemish Beauty has the reputation of 

 cracking badly, but mine have seldom cracked. They are 

 of the finest quality, and the richest pear that I have in a 

 variety of ten or twelve kinds. 



The Committee, wishing to avail themselves of the experi- 

 ence of the Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, the veteran pear-grower 

 of America, applied to him, and received the following 

 list : — 



[Reply of Hon. Marshall P. Wilder.] 



The following list of pears comprises an excellent collec- 

 tion : they are all healthy trees, and the fruit is good, either 

 for the table or market, in its season, — Clapp's Favorite, 

 Bartlett, Doyenn^ Boussock, Paradise d'Automne, Merriam, 

 Sheldon, Beurre Bosc, Lawrence, Beurre d'Anjou, Vicar of 

 Winkfield (for baking : fine specimens are also good for 

 dessert). 



Clapp's Favorite. The best early large pear ; should be 

 gathered by 20th of August. 



Doyenn^ Boussock. Splendid healthy tree, very produc- 

 tive, and salable in market. Half the crop should be gath- 

 ered by the 25th of August, and ripened in the house, the 

 remainder when the fruit comes to size ; thus the tree is kept 

 in bearing every year. 



Merriam. One of the most profitable for market, on 

 account of its fine golden russet-color, which it assumes after 

 it is picked. 



Beurre d'Anjou. The best and most profitable very late 

 fall and winter variety, covering the months of November 

 and December, and with care may be kept to February; 

 popular throughout the United States; the most valuable 

 pear that I have introduced in forty years. 



