262 CALIFORNIA FRUITS I HOW TO GROW THEM 



ing mind. A Sonoma grower suggests that pruning may be used 

 to control pear blight in the following manner: It is the natural 

 tendency of the pear and apple while young to form fruiting spurs upon 

 the body and larger branches of the tree. These fruiting spurs produce 

 blossoms from year to year, which are in turn as liable to be visited 

 by bees or other insects carrying the destructive spores of the disease 

 as are the blossoms at the ends of the branches. It is evident, there- 

 fore, that a blossom situated upon the body or larger branches of a tree, 

 becoming infected, would communicate the disease directly to the 

 framework of the tree, with the result that it would be fatally injured; 

 but if these fruiting spurs are all removed from the body and larger 

 branches by pruning, the possibilities of infection in this way are over- 

 come. The available means of gaining entrance to the tree by this 

 parasite is confined to the smaller branches, which if affected can be cut 

 away without severely injuring or disfiguring the tree. All suckers at the 

 base of the tree should be removed at the point where they emerge from 

 the trunk or the roots as they favor the entrance of blight to the root. 

 The scab fungus which seriously affects some varieties, and notably 

 the Winter Nelis, in the Coast region, is identical with the scab of the 

 apple and will be mentioned in the chapter on tree diseases. Because 

 of the liability of the Winter Nelis, to this disease, and because of its 

 irregular bearing in the Coast region, there have been many trees 

 grafted over into varieties better suited to Coast conditions. The Beurre 

 Clairgeau, because of its health, prolific bearing, and acceptability to 

 shippers, was largely introduced in this way, but it has not sold as well 

 as expected. Ordinary top grafting succeeds admirably with the pear. 

 Clapp's Favorite and other varieties have also been worked upon 

 Winter Nelis but they are apt to be more susceptible to blight than 

 Winter Nelis so this old practice is now. of less value than formerly. 



GATHERING AND RIPENING OF PEARS 



Many pear growers make the common mistake of allowing the 

 fruit to hang too long on the tree, instead of gathering and ripening 

 in a cool, dark place. Pears should be picked at the first indication of 

 ripeness, the first sign being a tendency of the stem to part from the 

 spur when the pear is gently raised up. This test applies especially to 

 the Bartlett. Picking at this stage and laying away in the dark ripens 

 up the Bartlett well. When picked at this stage and sent overland by 

 slow freight, they ripen en route and the boxes open well on the Eastern 

 markets. There are a few varieties which shrivel if ripened under 

 cover, but the rule is a good one, and the grower will soon note the 

 exceptions. Many desirable varieties have, no doubt, been pronounced 

 poor and insipid because allowed to ripen on the tree. 



To ripen well, pears should be packed in tight boxes or inclosed 

 in drawers. They do not do as well as apples on shelves open to 

 circulation of air. As already stated, the oily-skinned apple endures 

 exposure and maintains a smooth, ruddy cheek and sound heart in 

 spite of wind, rain and rough weather. The pear under similar 

 conditions decays rapidly. 



