THE PEARS OF NEW YORK 29 



astringent to the taste, somewhat acid and pleasant. They last until the 

 sun has passed Aquarius or Pisces. They abound in Meissen. 



" Bratbirn gross, also called Fregelbirn, that is, pears for roasting, are 

 about the largest of all, for sometimes they weigh a mina (about 15.2 ounces) 

 and a half; they are of globular shape, sometimes conical, and frequently 

 irregular; of a color midway between pale green and red, redder on one 

 side. They have a pulp with pleasant juice, astringent, partaking somewhat 

 of acid. They grow in Meissen, especially at Leisnig and Koldit. 



" Grauchenbirn, that is, Gray pear, have received their name from 

 their color, since they are ash-colored and at the same time greenish. They 

 are small and of globular shape, measuring an inch in breadth as well as 

 in length; in appearance are in no way different from some of the wild 

 pears; in taste are soft, mild, sweet, with a pleasantly astringent quality; 

 they last till after the winter solstice. They grow in the country about 

 Meissen and Leipzig. 



" Gelbrotebirn, that is, Yellow-red pear, have an oblong pyramidal 

 shape, generally reaching a length of three inches, and a width of two 

 inches. Their color on one side is yellow, on the other saffron and purple; 

 their pulp is soft, astringent to the taste, pleasant, slightly acid, and watery. 

 They ripen at the beginning of autumn, and last till the winter solstice. 

 They grow at Hildesheim in Saxony. 



" Grilnlingebirn, that is, Green pear, are quite large, since sometimes 

 they exceed three inches in length, two inches in breadth; they have an 

 oblong pyramidal shape, a green color, a juicy pulp, sharply astringent to 

 the taste. They ripen at the beginning of autumn, and last till after the 

 solstice. There is a large crop of them at Hildesheim. 



" Wasserbirn, that is, Water pear, rival Green pear in size, they have 

 a shape big-bellied in the middle and taper to a point at both ends, sharper 

 and more oblong toward the stem, but shorter and blunter near the base. 

 Their color on one side is pale, speckled with dots, on the other reddish, 

 pale on the edges. They have juicy pulp, watery and rather pleasant to 

 the taste. They become ripe with the Green pear but do not last so long. 

 They grow at Hildesheim. 



" Kegelbirn, that is, Cone pear, have the shape of a pine cone, and 

 from a rather broad base end in a point; their length is three inches, their 

 width two; their color on one side green, on the other reddish. Their 

 pulp is juicy, harsh to the taste. Their maturity falls at the beginning 

 of autumn, from which time they may last till the winter solstice. They 

 are produced at Hildesheim." 



THE PEAR IN ENGLAND 



Much as America owes England for fruit, farm, and garden crops, she 

 is but little indebted to her for pears. Varieties of pears have come to 



