996 THE FRUIT INDUSTRY IN NEW YORK STATE 



any importance in the New York market, but at the present 

 time 110 variety is in greater demand. Its large size and fine 

 appearance, in connection with its superb quality ranking well 

 up to the Seckel in this respect should naturally 'commend it to 

 the discriminating buyer. 



The tree seems to be difficult to grow in the nursery, and the 

 planter is apt to be disappointed (unless familiar with this 

 variety) when he receives his stock. After it is established in 

 the orchard it is a free grower in fact it might be termed a 

 rapid grower. Its tendency to twist and curl its limbs can be 

 corrected by judicious pruning. It succeeds admirably on a 

 heavy soil, although good results are obtained on a medium loam. 

 Kesults are not satisfactory on light soils. In the orchard the 

 tree comes into bearing at an early age and is quite uniformly 

 an annual bearer. It has the good habit of thinning itself severely, 

 being unique in this respect, as I know of 110 other variety that 

 possesses this trait. A good quality that should not be over- 

 looked is the tenacity with which the fruit clings to the tree, 

 being important during a high wind. 



I know of but one weak point with this variety, namely, blight. 

 Blight is more difficult of control on the Bosc than on the Bartlett, 

 Bosc being in this respect not much behind Clapp's, especially 

 the young trees. Although this is the only drawback to the variety, 

 still it is a serious one. 



SHELDON 



To a large degree, the high quality of the Sheldon pear has 

 maintained its position as a commercial sort ; but, maturing at 

 about the same season as the Bosc, it looks as though it will eventu- 

 ally be supplanted by the latter variety. In the orchard the tree 

 is a good, strong, upright grower. One of its weak points com- 

 mercially is the appearance of the fruit, which is apple-shaped and 

 devoid of color; another fault is that when ripe it will not stand 

 up. However, for the home collection this variety should always 

 be included. 



BEURRE CLAIRGEAU 



The Clairgeau comes in the class of late fall or early winter 

 varieties. I look upon it as the best commercial pear of its season. 

 While not of high quality, when well grown it is very acceptable 



