10 Feb., 1919.] 



Pear Growing in Victoria. 



79 



Tlie attention given to peaT-diying in Victoria has in the past been 

 very scant compared with such fruits as apples and plums, the pre- 

 servation of Avhich by drying has increased out of all proportion to 

 pears. The output of dried pears in the season 1906-7 was 8,077 lbs., 

 while in 1915-16 it had increased to 22,224 lbs., whereas the quantities 

 of apples dried during the same years were 42,113 lbs. and 290,258 lbs. 

 respectively. Therefore, while the pear will probably not become as 

 popular as the apple for the purpose of drying, there is great room for 

 develop^ment, and no doubt these possibilities will be considered by pear- 

 growers in the future. 



Plate No. 3. — A European Variety — Glen Morceau. 



The sending of pears to the northern States has become an important 

 factor with Victorian growers, who are thus able to place their fruit 

 in Sydney, Brisbane, and other populous centres at highly remunerative 

 prices when in Melbourne much lower prices obtain. By attention to 

 these Inter-State trade requirements, such as quality, variety, time of 

 sending, &c., there are doubtless large profits to be made. 



It is, however, to the overseas export trade that one looks with every 

 confidence to the most profitable aspect of pear-growing in this State. 



