THE PEARS OF NEW YORK 63 



tion, are seldom used by pomologists because character of plant and fruit 

 may be studied during a much longer time and are of greater cultural 

 importance. In the blooming season, length, diameter, and the pubescence 

 of stamens may be noted, but much more important taxonomically is the 

 position of the stamens on the calyx-tube in the mature fruit. These 

 organs, or remnants of them, persist in the ripened fruits, as will be noted 

 in the discussion of characters of the fruit. Lastly, some varieties may 

 be told during the blooming season by the distribution of the blossoms 

 on the tree. The flowers of many varieties are borne on the periphery 

 of the tree, and give the plant an aspect by which one may recognize the 

 variety at once. 



If a variety is not noteworthy in the characters for which the fruit is 

 grown — those which appeal to the senses of taste and sight — it has small 

 chance of being cultivated long or widely. Hence, especial attention is 

 paid to descriptions of the fruit. Some pomologists describe varieties only 

 from the fruit, saying little or nothing about the plant. 



FRUIT- CHARACTERS OF POMES 



Season and use. — Perhaps season is the first, and certainly it is one 

 of the most important characters to be noted in the ripened fruit. By 

 season is meant the period in which a variety is in proper condition for use. 

 Unless otherwise stated, season has reference to the period during which 

 fruit is in condition in ordinary storage, as it is understood that cold-storage 

 greatly prolongs the natural season. The terms summer, fall, and winter, 

 sometimes modified by early or late, give the season with sufficient accuracy. 

 Keeping quality and shipping quality, both dependent on several factors, 

 are usually mentioned in connection with season. 



Rather closely connected with season is use. The uses for which a 

 variety is particularly suited should always be indicated. Thus, a market 

 variety is one suitable for the general market; a local market sort is one 

 which does not stand handling well enough for the general market but is 

 acceptable in local trade. A variety for dessert or table is suitable for 

 eating in the uncooked state; cooking or kitchen varieties are desirable for 

 culinary purposes. 



Size and shape oj fruit. — Of external characters of pears, size is 

 important if several typical specimens can be examined, but is often 

 misleading because under the stress of environment abnormal specimens 

 may be produced. Gradations in size are expressed by the terms large, 



