POLLINATION OF PEARS 269 



limited degree self-sterile (and in 1920 was sterile) under valley con- 

 ditions and is self-sterile under foothill conditions; therefore, it is 

 desirable that another variety should be interplanted with the Bart- 

 lett for cross-pollination. The blooming season of eight varieties 

 during a period of five years at Davis is given as follows : 



Angouleme March 16 to March 28 



Howell March 16 to March 29 



Easter March 16 to March 30 



Clairgeau March 22 to March 28 



Cornice March 29 to March 31 



Dana's Honey March 23 to March 31 



Winter Nelis March 22 to April 2 



Bartlett March 19 to April 13 



It thus appears that the Bartlett has a very long blooming season 

 and overlaps the other varieties named all of which were demon- 

 strated by hand tests to be capable of cross-pollinating it and to 

 receive the same service. 



VARIETIES OF THE PEAR 



Though large collections of famous Eastern and European pears 

 have been brought to California, the peculiarity of the local market 

 and demand for canning and shipping has led to concentration upon 

 very few sorts.* The pears favorably considered by the 1920 con- 

 ferences of growers, canners and nurserymen for commercial plant- 

 ing are the following: Bartlett, Beurre Bosc, Beurre Clairgeau, 

 Beurre d'Anjou, Beurre Hardy, Comet, Easter Beurre, Forelle, 

 Glout Morceau, Wilder, Winter Nelis, Cornice. 



The following descriptive list, arranged approximately in the 

 order of their ripening includes varieties chiefly found in California 

 orchards : 



Harvest; syn. Sugar Pear (American). Small, roundish, pale yellow, 

 brownish in sun, brown and green dots; flesh, whitish, rather dry but 

 sweet; tree upright, young wood olive yellow brown. 



Madeleine v (French). Medium, obovate pyriform, stalk long and slender, 

 set on the side of a small swelling; pale yellowish green, rarely brownish 

 blush; calyx small, in shallow, furrowed basin; flesh white, juicy, delicate. 



Wilder Early v (American). Small to medium, yellow with red cheek; 

 sweet, and good. Recently introduced and profitable for local sale in San 

 Diego County. Should not be confused with Col. Wilder, a California seed- 

 ling which has, gone out of use. 



Bloodgood (New York). Tree short, jointed, deep reddish brown wood; 

 fruit medium turbinate, inclining to obovate, thickening abruptly in stalk; 

 yellow, sprinkled with russet dots; calyx strong, open almost without de- 

 pression; stalk obliquely inserted, without depression, short, fleshy at its 

 base; flesh yellowish white, melting, sugary, aromatic; core small. 



Clapp's Favorite (Massachusetts). Tree a strong grower; young shoots 

 dark reddish brown; fruit large, slightly obtuse pyriform; pale lemon yel- 

 low with brown dots; flesh fine, melting, juicy, with rich, sweet delicate, 

 vinous. flavor; resembles Bartlett, but lacks musky flavor. 



*An illustrated account of the pears chiefly grown in California and cultural matters 

 also, is given in an excellent publication by George P. Weldpn on "Pear Culture in Cali- 

 fornia," published in 1918 by the State Horticultural Commission, Sacramento. 



