268 YEARBOOK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



the buds were especially good, and Mr. Griesa at once became in- 

 terested in it. It was at his suggestion that the name " Douglas," 

 the county in which it originated, was applied to it. Though it has 

 been known locally for several years by this name, the latter does not 

 appear to have been published until it appeared in a leaflet issued by 

 Mr. Griesa in 1910. The variety was first propagated by him in 1907, 

 but not disseminated until 1911. 



In growth the tree is said to resemble the Angouleme. Thus 

 far, in the region in which it originated it has been entirely free 

 from blight, though other pear trees in the same locality have 

 blighted seriously. Bearing begins remarkably early; trees 2 and 3 

 years old frequently producing some fruit. It blossoms a few days 

 later than the Kieffer, or about with the Angouleme. The original 

 tree is still in good thrifty condition. 1 



DESCRIPTION. 



Form obovate or roundish obovate; size medium to large; cavity 

 regular^ medium to large, depth medium, slope gradual, slightly rus- 

 seted; stem very long, rather slender; basin slightly irregular, me- 

 dium in size; rather shallow, slope gradual, slightly ribbed; calyx 

 segments short, fleshy, converging; eye medium, open or partially 

 closed; surface smooth except where slight undulations occur, some- 

 times slightly russeted in small patches; color yellow, characteristi- 

 cally blotched and mottled with small irregular scarlet markings on 

 the exposed side, dots numerous, in many cases appearing as minute 

 russeted spots; skin thin; core oval, clasping, rather large, closed; 

 seeds of medium size, not very plump, dark brown ; flesh whitish or 

 greenish white, moderately fine grained, melting, very juicy, with 

 occasional coarse granules in the flesh; flavor subacid, with slight 

 astringency; quality good; season about with the Kieffer or a little 

 earlier from the first to the middle of October in the locality of its 

 origin. 



Though this variety does not rate as high in flavor and dessert 

 quality as many varieties, it is distinctly better than the Kieffer and 

 is particularly attractive in appearance. The vigor and healthful- 

 ness of the tree, and especially its freedom from blight, make it a 

 promising new variety and one that should be widely tested. 



The specimen illustrated in Plate IV was grown by Mr. A. H. 

 Griesa, Lawrence, Douglas County, Kans.., in 1912. 



1 Letter from Mr. A. H. Griesa, May, 1912. 



