VARIETIES OF PEARS FOR EASTERN NEW YORK 997 



as a dessert fruit. The tree is everything that can be desired 

 a fine grower, having strong foliage, free from blight, and an 

 early and profuse bearer. It must be thinned to prevent over- 

 bearing, also to obtain size of fruit. Specimens of this variety 

 sometimes weigh a pound each. 



The great drawback to this variety, especially in a dry season, 

 is the dropping of the fruit. When the fruit is near maturity, a 

 high wind is likely to put the bulk of it on the ground. This 

 necessitates planting in a sheltered position. Market values, while 

 not so good as for the other varieties mentioned, are fairly satis- 

 factory. 



WINTER NELIS 



Winter Nelis is the only winter pear to be considered in this 

 section for market. It ranks among the late varieties with the 

 Seckel among those of the early fall. The tree, like the Bosc, 

 is a poor grower in the nursery, but makes good in the orchard. 

 Although a straggling grower, it is healthy, hardy, and productive. 



I have had better pecuniary results from the autumn varieties ; 

 but, where one has a market for a late pear, the Nelis should give 

 good satisfaction. 



There have been a number of varieties recommended by the 

 nursery interests for commercial planting. I will mention only 

 two here, namely: Aiijou and Worden Seckel. 



The Anjou has been planted rather extensively in years past 

 in fact it would be somewhat difficult to find an orchard of mixed 

 varieties where it was omitted. Despite its wide distribution, 

 giving it the advantage of various locations and conditions, it has 

 failed to make good its claims for commercial purposes in eastern 

 New York. 



I will briefly mention its shortcomings as I found them. It 

 is very unreliable about bearing. If conditions are unfavorable 

 at the blooming period, it will not set fruit to any extent. It 

 suffers more from a wind storm-than any variety I know of, Clair- 

 geau not excepted. It is not a good seller in the market, its 

 thin skin and lack of color being against it. Nevertheless, it is a 



