vi PREFACE 



Biographical sketches of men who have been most prominent in pear 

 growing in the United States are to be found in the footnotes. These are 

 written to give in some measure the credit and honor due to those who 

 introduced new varieties or improved their culture. A knowledge of the 

 career of these men is indispensable to a full comprehension of the industry 

 of growing pears. 



U. P. HEDRICK, 

 Horticulturist, New York Agricultural Experiment Station 



