WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS' SOCIETY. 119 



Stevens' Genesee — This is one of the most showy of our native pears. The 

 fruit is large, of a yellow color, flesh* white, aroma rich, juicy. It ripens in 

 Michigan about the 15th of September. It is very tender as a fruit and 

 will not keep, unless carefully handled, for more than two or three weeks. 



Bosc — This is, in my opinion, superior in flavor to every pear grown ia 

 this country, unless it may be the Seckel, and while it approaches the Seckel 

 closely in flavor it has the advantage of being nearly three times larger. 

 This splendid pear was raised in Belgium, in 1807, and named in honor of 

 M. Bosc, superintendent of the Jardine des Plants, Paris. The fruit is 

 small at the stem but increases in size toward the calyx end. Nurserymen 

 complain because of the difficulty they experience in propagating the trees, 

 and for this reason the nursery stock is dear. When transplanted from the 

 nursery it is difficult to raise the trees, there being no fibrous roots, but only 

 two or three stout prongs. When ripe the fruit is of a beautiful golden yel- 

 low. In an orchard of 500 trees I would plant 50 or 75 Bosc. It ripens about 

 the 15th of October. 



Clairgeau — This laTge, showy pear was raised near the city of Nantes in the 

 west of France. The tree bears young, is remarkably productive; so much so 

 that it is found necessary to thin at least three-fourths of all that desire to 

 grow. The fruit can hardly be classed as second rate ; but because of its large 

 size and fine appearance it always commands a good price in the markets where 

 appearance takes the lead. 



Anjou — This noble pear is also of French origin. Fruit is large, of 

 greenish color, russet dots, of a light crimson color next the sun. The flesh 

 is white; not so fine in flavor as the Bosc. It is, however, of a fine, melting, 

 delicious flavor, and highly perfumed ; ripens early in November and sells 

 well. 



BoussocJc — This pear is of Belgian origin. ■ The tree is one of the 

 most vigorous of all our pear trees, and very easy to propagate. The fruit is 

 above the medium size, of good appearance and always commands a good 

 price. Flesh white, fine in grain, juicy; first in second class; ripens Oct. 1 

 to 15. { 



Sheldon — This splendid pear originated from an accidental seedling on the 

 farm of a Mr. Sheldon, in the town of Huron, Wayne county, N. Y. The 

 tree grows erect, vigorous, hardy, and is a good, regular bearer after it arrives 

 at the age of eight or ten years. The fruit grows very slowly until the middle 

 of September, when it begins to enlarge, and becomes of fair size. If well 

 cultivated on rich ground the Sheldon will grow to nearly the size of a Bald- 

 win apple. Mr. W. A. Brown and myself had plates of this variety of pear 

 at our fairs, last fall, as large as Eoxbury or Golden Kusset apples. When 

 growing it is of a green russet, but when ripe it is a beautiful golden hue. 

 In flavor it will nearly compare with the Bosc. I had from one tree last 

 season 32 peck baskets. It ripens about the xJOth of October to the first of 

 November. 



Hoivell — Originated at New Haven, Connecticut. The tree is an up- 

 right, fair grower and on arriving at maturity will, with fair play, bear a 

 good crop every year. The fruit is large, roundish, a little small at the stem, 

 but broad at the calyx end. When growing and until it begins to ripen, the 

 fruit is of a greenish color. When ripe it often has a finely colored cheek, 

 sprinkled with small russet dots. The flesh is white, of fair quality; sells 



