104 THE PEAR. 



usually shrivel. But if kept in a body together, where there is 

 sufficient quantity, or kept from too rapid evaporation by being 

 wrapped in paper, their flavor and plumpness are fully preserved, 

 and in due time the fruit will acquire its full color and perfect 

 maturity, with more juiciness and richness of flavor than if 

 allowed to ripen wholly on the tree. Many sorts, if allowed to 

 remain too long on the tree, rot at the core, while others become 

 dry, mealy and flavorless. By gathering and ripening them in 

 the manner above described, these evils are lessened or wholly 

 obviated, and fruit that would be otherwise worthless becomes 

 not only good, but delicious. 



Late autumn and winter Pears do not require such treatment, 

 but on the contrary are allowed to remain on the trees as long 

 as the season will admit. They should be gathered carefully 

 without bruising, packed in barrels or boxes, and kept in a cool, 

 dry cellar until they begin to show signs of ripening, when they 

 should be taken to a room where the temperature is a little 

 warmer, to complete their maturity. 



Very few of the winter Pears which come to maturity after 

 the holidays are worth growing in our climate. The best Pears 

 ;are those that ripen not later than the middle of January ; of 

 those ripening after that time, none in our estimation are- at all 

 •comparable in flavor to the Pomme Grise d'Or Apple. 



The number of varieties of Pear now in cultivation is enor- 

 mous, yet out of them all but a very few can be named that have 

 proved themselves, after some years of trial, to be possessed of 

 the qualifications which commend them to the attention of Ca- 

 nadian planters. Many varieties, which in Europe enjoy a high 

 reputation, do not maintain their high qualities when transplanted 

 to our soil and climate. Some varieties again are very fickle, 

 exhibiting a high degree of excellence in one season, but almost 

 tasteless the next. In selecting the varieties which are here 

 described, the aim has been to mention only those which are 

 really worthy of attention, and which combine in as great a 

 degree as possible, hardihood and healthfulness of tree, with the 

 highest quality of fruit. 



