THE PEAR 167 



bridization and selection, during a period of 

 nearly a quarter of a century, the hybrid progeny 

 of this Japanese pear developed a variety that 

 was introduced in 1911 as the "Test." 



Year after year it had produced two or three 

 times as much as any other pear that I had ever 

 grown. The fruit averages rather larger than 

 that of the Bartlett, and it appears about four 

 weeks later. The flesh is similar to that of the 

 Le Conte, but superior to it in quality, although 

 hardly comparable to that of the Bartlett except 

 when cooked. 



Although I have raised and fruited number- 

 less seedlings from a great variety of crosses, 

 and have noted many variations, only two have 

 thus far been thought worthy of introduction. 

 Several hundred three-year-old seedlings of this 

 new pear, grafted on quince stocks, give great 

 promise by their vigorous, compact growth, 

 heavy foliage and full, round buds. 



Among those that have fruited are some mam- 

 moth pears of exquisite quality when cooked; 

 and a few are good when fresh. 



There is unusual variation in growth of wood, 

 foliage, season of ripening, form, size, and qual- 

 ity of fruit. Some of the hybrids have a smooth, 

 polished skin with red cheeks; others are russet 

 throughout or various shades of yellow and 



