64 THE PEARS OF NEW YORK 



medium, and small, modified by very, above, and below. Used in connection 

 with size, uniform signifies that the fruit of a variety runs fairly even in 

 the same size. 



Shape is the most important character in describing the fruit. It may 

 be used with immature as well as mature specimens. In determining the 

 shape of the fruit, the pear should be held opposite to the eye perpendicular 

 to the diameter from stem to calyx; or the fruit may be cut longitudinally 

 at its widest diameter. The shape of the body of the pear is usually 

 described first, followed by a description of the narrow part bearing the 

 stem, if this neck is prominent enough to be noteworthy. A pear is pyriform 

 when the curve formed by the body and neck is concave; turbinate, or 

 top-shaped, when the body is nearly round with a short neck. The neck 

 may be long or short, distinct or obscure, obtuse or acute. Sheldon is typically 

 turbinate; Beunv d'Anjou, Beurre Bosc, and Bartlett are all pyriform. 



A graphic record should accompany a description of the fruit to show 

 size and shape. A simple outline drawing serves the purpose. 



The stem. — Varying as little as any other character of the pear, the 

 stem is much used in identification. It may be long and slender, as in 

 the Beurre Bosc; short and thick, as in Doyenne du Cornice; fleshy, as in 

 Louise Bonne de Jersey; clubbed, when enlarged at the end; and lipped 

 when the flesh forms a protuberance under which the stem is inserted. 

 The stems of pears are often set obliquely as in Beurre Clairgeau; or are 

 crooked or curved as in Howell. In a few varieties the stems are chan- 

 neled. The stems of some pears have distinguishing colors, those of others 

 are pubescent. In some pears, as Souvenir d'Esperen, there are bud-like 

 projections on the stem. 



The length of the stem in pears is a reliable diagnostic character only 

 when it is known from what part of the flower-cluster the fruit was 

 developed. For, as a rule, the nearer the flower to the tip of the raceme 

 in the pear, the shorter the stem on the fruit. 



Cavity and basin. — The cavity, the depression in which the stem is set, 

 offers several marks which greatly enhance the value of a description of 

 any of the pears. The cavity may be acute or obtuse; shallow, medium, 

 or deep; narrow, medium, or broad; smooth or russeted; furrowed, ribbed, 

 angular, or uniform; or it may be lipped as described under stem. The 

 color of the skin within the cavity is sometimes different from that without, 

 and there may be radiating lines, rays, or streaks. 



The basin, the depression in which the calyx is set, is as important as 



