302 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



Some varieties of pears require more pruning than others; the 

 d'Aujou, for example, seems to be such a variety. I have noted that 

 it often blooms very heavily and yet sets little fruit, but when it is 

 ])nmed it sets more fruit. Possibly this variety does not have the 

 vitality to set its fruit well, even when properly pollinated, and pruning, 

 by decreasing the number of blossoms, is therefore helpful. 



DISEASES. 



There are a number of diseases that attack the pear, such as fire 

 blight and scab. I shall not take up the treatment of these in this 

 address as at this conference special addresses are to be given especially 

 on these subjects. 



INSECTS. 



The borer and the blister mite are two of the principal insects, 

 while in some sections the codling moth is a factor to be contended 

 with. These insects are being treated in other sections of this meeting 

 and I will give my time to answering questions anti other problems 

 of the pear question. 



PHYSIOLOGICAL TROUBLES. 



There are certain so-called physiological troubles, such as sour sap, 

 sun scald and little-leaf, which in certain parts of the Northwest are 

 (luite bad. 



Sour sap is generally due to unfavorable soil or climatic conditions, 

 or both. 



Sun scald is, of course, due to climatic conditions and failure to give 

 proper protection to the trees. 



Little-leaf condition, I believe, is a combination of poor soil condi- 

 tions and unfavorable climatic factors, or neglect to maintain proper 

 soil, moisture and temperature conditions during the growing season. 



PICKING, PACKING AND SHIPPING. 



Picking, packing and shipping of pears is pretty well understood in 

 California. We pack the pears entirely in so-called bushel boxes. The 

 pears are nearly all shipped under refrigeration, especially all the early 

 varieties. The Depai-tmeiit of Agriculture is giving special attention 

 to these problems and 1 note addresses are being given at this Confer- 

 ence on the pre-cooling and shipping of pears. 



MARKETING. 



We should give marketing more attention than we have been giving 

 it in the past. The European market seems to be one of our best, and 

 if we are to reach this market at the most favorable time, we should 

 go after the so-called holiday trade. After the latter part of January 

 the South African pears begin to come on the market and everybodv 

 i-au get fresh liartletts. They do not want very late keeping pears in 

 Kuroi)e. 



1 find from investigations of our interstate trade that there are many 

 markets in the East that are not familiar with Coast pears. They know 

 about our apples, but know little about our pears. We should give 

 moi-e attention to our l)ig markets all over the United States. I also 



