THE POME-FRUITS 119 



often 6 inches long and 3-4 inches broad, broadly ovate, long-pointed, very 

 dark green; margins setose-serrate, the teeth very sharp, almost bristle-like. 

 FloAvers very large, appearing somewhat in advance of the foliage. Fruit 

 apple-shaped or pyriform, more or less rough, with a well-marked cavity 

 about the stem; calyx usually deciduous; flesh tough, gritty and poor in 

 flavor. 



The Sand pear differs from the type in its larger and differ- 

 ently shaped fruits and much larger, greener leaves. The pear 

 came to America from Japan, where it must have been early 

 introduced from China, and where it is now the most common 

 fruit-tree with the exception of the persimmon. There are 

 several pomological varieties in Japan, although they differ less 

 from each other than varieties of the European pear. The fruits 

 are little liked by those who can grow the common pear, although 

 they are attractive in appearance, long keepers, and not un- 

 palatable in some culinary preparations. Several Japanese pears 

 have been introduced into America, and their apple-like fruits 

 are not uncommon, being readily distinguished from apples by 

 their deciduous calyces, rough skins, long stems, gritty flesh, and 

 potato-like flavor. 



172. Hybrid pears. — These Sand pears from Japan hybridize 

 freely with the common pear, and several valuable hj^brids are 

 now widely and commonly grown in North America, Kieffer, 

 Le Conte, and Garber, in the order named, being the best known. 

 These hybrids are much stronger, more blight-resistant, more 

 productive, and more rapid in growth than the common pear; 

 the fruits are more pyriform and of much better flavor than 

 those of the oriental parent ; the calyx in the hybrid is some- 

 times persistent and sometimes deciduous. They do not make 

 good stocks and intergraft but poorly with the common pear. 

 Of all pear-trees, these are handsomest in growth, and make 

 excellent ornamental plants. American pomologists look for- 

 ward to the development of many valuable varieties of these 

 hybrids. 



173. The classification of varieties of pears. — Classifications 

 of pears are fewer and even less satisfactory than for the apple. 

 Pomologists and nurserymen seldom go further than to list 

 varieties under the two species with a third group of hybrids. 

 Most nurserymen divide pears into standards and dwarfs which 



