80 Journal of Ay ri culture, Victoria. [10 Feb.;, 1919, 



Inspired by the high prices obtained in England and Europe from time 

 to time for choice varieties landed in good condition, growers have con- 

 siderably increased their areas under pears during the last few years. 

 In the season 1910-11 the estiniuted number of pear trees in bearing 

 in Victoria was 364,638, and in 1913-14 the number had increased to 

 445,276, or over 22 per cent. The increase in apple trees during the 

 same period was 10.828 per cent., or just about half of the increase 

 credited to pears. Thus it would appear that growers are awakening 

 to the possibilities of the pear industry in this State. 



The export trade has, of course, been interrupted during the last 

 few years owing to the war, but now that hostilities have ceased, there 



Plate No. 3a.— Another European Variety — Doyenne du Cornice. 



is every prospect of the old trade being revived in the near future 

 under probably better carrying conditions than have obtained in the 

 past, and which are more essential to the pear than other fruit, such 

 as the apple, owing to the delicate texture of the former. There is little 

 doubt that, when more attention is paid to handling, pre-cooling, proper 

 temperature, &c., growers will be able to send even the quick-ripening 

 and delicate Williams Bon Chretien variety overseas, with every con- 

 fidence of its arriving at its destination in good, sound condition, which 

 is absolutely essential to success in any phase of fruit marketing. As 

 showing what can be done in this i-espect, it will be remembered that a 



