162 LUTHER BURBANK 



them valuable mates for their European cousins. 

 So the Kieffer pear soon gained popularity. 



So also did a number of other hybrid pears of 

 similar origin, including the Le Conte, the 

 Garber, and the Smith. These hybrids soon be- 

 came standard pears in the Gulf States, where 

 the European pears do not thrive. 



MAMMOTH PEARS IN CALIFORNIA 



The hybrid pears did not gain popularity in 

 California, because the climate and soil of this 

 State seemed to be peculiarly adapted to the 

 European pears, notably the Bartlett. 



By crossbreeding and selection these have 

 been so developed, without hybridization with 

 the oriental species, as to assume almost colossal 

 proportions, and while differing widely in flavor 

 from the original stock, to retain enough char- 

 acteristics of the original to constitute a most 

 valuable market fruit. 



The California pears, indeed, have quite out- 

 done themselves. They have been described as 

 "grand in size, delicate in color and aroma, and 

 of unsurpassed richness." A specimen has been 

 reported that was "nine inches high, sixteen inches 

 around the base, and five pounds in weight." 



Pears of allied varieties show scarcely less 

 notable tendency to grow to unprecedented size ; 



