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PEAR VARIETY EVALUATION - 1965 



J. F. Anderson 

 Department of Plant and Soil Sciences 



There appears to be increased interest in growing pears in Massa- 

 chusetts, particularly by those operating roadside stands. It is hoped 

 that the information presented in this article will be of value to the 

 potential growers of pears. Harvest dates and pressure test readings 

 mentioned in the write-ups are for the 1965 harvest season and are given— 

 as a point of interest only. Harvest dates will vary from season to sea- 

 son and orchard to orchard. The pressure tests were made with a Magness- 

 Taylor pressure tester, using a 5/16" diameter head in contrast to the 

 7/16" diameter head used for apples. The following 7 varieties have been 

 recommended for commercial planting in Massachusetts for a number of 

 years. 



Clapp Favorite The fruit is large , greenish-yellow with a blushed cheek 

 and good in quality. The fruit has a high susceptibility 

 to core breakdoi\;n if picked late. The fruit is usually ready 

 for harvest in mid-August in Amherst. The tree is hardy and 

 productive, but it is highly susceptible to fire blight*. 



Bartlett 



Gorham 



Seckel 



Flemish 



Bosc 



A medium to large, attractive, high quality pear. Bartlett 

 is picked in late August or early September. We picked 

 Bartlett on August 27, when the average pressure test read- 

 ing was 20 pounds. The tree is medium in size and is pro- 

 ductive. 



A seedling of Bartlett which it resembles in size and color. 

 The flesh is white, tender and juicy. Unlike most pear var- 

 ieties, the fruit will ripen in cold storage. Last season 

 the fruit held up well in storage until the end of January. 

 The fruit was harvested on the 3rd of September when the 

 average pressure test was 13 pounds. This fruit was eating 

 ripe in cold storage in early December. Gorham is said to 

 require a higher level of nutrition than Bartlett to main- 

 tain production. 



A popular variety for pickling. The fruit is small, often 

 with a bronze russet and very high quality. The tree is 

 large, upright spreading, and productive in alternate years. 



A large attractive, high quality pear. The fruit was picked 

 September 3rd, when the average pressure test was 12 pounds. 

 Flemish is susceptible to pear scab, but this can be readily 

 controlled with present fungicides. The tree is large vig- 

 orous, very hardy and productive in alternate years. 



This russeted pear is harvested in late September. The 

 fruit was picked September 22nd, when the average pressure 

 was 14- pounds. The crop was very heavy and there was some 

 fruit drop. The fruit is large and has excellent flavor 



