248 PEAR GROWING IN CALIFORNIA. 



Each season it bears some fruit. Scions were taken from this tree by 

 Mr. Hassler about thirteen years ago, and grafted into a Bartlett in the 

 orchard. The grafted tree, therefore, has been growing under identical 

 conditions that surround the other trees in his orchard. 



HABITS OF GROWTH. 



In habits of growth, color of wood and general appearance this tree 

 resembles Bartlett very closely and at a distance of a few yards it 

 would be mistaken for this variety. A closer examination shows that 

 the branches are more slender and whiplike and inclined to be crooked 

 like "Winter Nelis. Though younger than the Bartlett trees, the 

 A. J. Cook is much larger than the average sized Bartlett in the orchard. 

 The leaf characteristics are quite different, as may be seen by comparing 

 the leaf in Fig. 10 with that in Fig. 28. 



BLOOMING CHARACTERISTICS. 



One thing that commends it strongly for sections of higher elevations 

 is its delayed blooming habit, which will enable it to escape injury from 

 late frosts that might ruin the Bartlett crop. Fig. 25 is from a picture 



FIG. 25. Bartlett tree on left, A. J. Cook (new variety) on right, illustrating 

 the late blooming habit of the latter variety. 



taken on April 9, 1915. The tree on the left is a Bartlett which at the 

 time was in full bloom. It will be noticed that the A. J. Cook has not 

 begun to show any blossom. The blooming time is from ten days to two 

 weeks later than that of the Bartlett. 



BEARING HABITS. 



Mr. Hassler states that the tree has been a regular and consistent 

 bearer, averaging fully as good, if not better than Bartletts growing 

 under the same conditions in the same orchard. In 1916, it produced 



