THE PEARS OF NEW YORK 6 1 



are typical. The branches of Beurre Superfin are rough and shaggy. 

 Those of Dorset and Fox are slender. The branches of several well-known 

 pears are spiny. A glance through the technical descriptions in Chapter IV 

 shows that branches and branchlets are variously colored. The branchlets 

 may be stout or slender, long-jointed or short-jointed, pubescent or glabrous, 

 straight or zigzag. The angle at which branchlets are set is often character- 

 istic. The epidermis may be smooth or covered with scarf-skin. Lastly, 

 the size, shape, color, number, and position of the corky cells or lenticels 

 on young wood is most important in identifying trees after leaves have 

 fallen. 



Leaf -buds and leaves. — Size, length, and shape of leaf -buds are helpful 

 in identifying varieties when the trees are dormant. There is considerable 

 difference in the length of buds of different varieties, and they may vary 

 in thickness; some are plump, others are slender. The shape can usually 

 be described as acute, pointed, obtuse, or conical. If the bud lies close to 

 the twig, it is said to be oppressed; if it stands from the twig at a considerable 

 angle, it is free. In some varieties the leaf -scar is conspicuous ; in others, 

 it is inconspicuous. 



While leaves vary much in accordance with the condition of the plant 

 which bears them, yet they offer a number of valuable distinguishing 

 characters. It is important in making use of leaves to take only those 

 borne on free-growing twigs, as those growing on luxuriant water-sprouts 

 on the one hand, or on slow-growing spurs on the other are seldom typical. 



The size of the leaf is a most valuable determinant of varieties of 

 pears. Length and breadth should be given in figures. The shape should 

 be depicted in carefully chosen words. The body of the leaf is usually 

 ovate or oval, but these shapes must nearly always be modified by broad 

 or narrow, long or short. The apex requires a descriptive word or two; 

 as, taper-pointed, acute, or obtuse. Thickness and texture are sometimes 

 noteworthy. The texture is usually described as stiff, leathery, or pliant. 

 Sometimes the leaves are flat; sometimes folded upward, and rarely they 

 are folded downward. The color of both the upper and lower surfaces is 

 often important; and the amount of pubescence, if present, must always 

 be noted on the two surfaces. The autumnal tint is a marked characteristic 

 in some varieties. The margins offer valuable evidence for identification 

 in the character of the serrations which are usually distinct in a variety. 

 Sometimes glands and hairs are found on the margins, in which case they 

 are usually noteworthy. The time of appearance and the fall of leaves 



