12 



MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 421 



Leaf reflexion — the backward curvature of the petiole and midrib — is some- 

 times an important distinguishing varietal character. This may be moderate 

 as in Duchess, considerable as in Comice, or pronounced as in Dumont. With 

 certain varieties the leaf curvature is uniform throughout the length of the petiole 

 and midrib as in Douglas; in others as Anjou the leaves are reflexed principally 

 at the base of the blade. Frequently, there is practically no pronounced reflexion 

 as in Bartlett. In Kieffer, the lack of reflexion results in a very upright leaf posi- 

 tion. Occasionally, pronounced reflexion at the blade base plus a wide petiole 

 angle give leaves the appearance of drooping, as in Anjou, for example. These 

 characteristics can be seen in the illustrations of one-year shoots in a following 

 section. 



Figure 7. Leaf Apex and Base. 



1. GORHAM — Full apex, mucronate tip 



2. BARTLETT — Moderately full apex, acute tip 



3. BANTAM — Long acuminate tip 



4. WILLARD — Full base 



5. CLAPP FAVORITE — Moderately full base 



6. FLEMISH BEAUTY — Moderately narrow base 



7. SHELDON — Moderately narrow rounded base 



The leaf base may be described as full as in Willard, moderately full as in Clapp 

 Favorite, or rather narrow as in Flemish Beauty (Figure 7). The base of Sheldon 

 leaves is often rather narrow and distinctly rounded. 



The leaf apex occasionally may be full as in Gorham, or moderately narrow 

 as in Cayuga; however, it is usually moderately full as in Bartlett. The leaf 

 tip may be mucronate as in Gorham, acute as in Bartlett, or acuminate as in 

 Bantam (Figure 7). 



The type and amount of waving of the leaf margin vary considerably with 

 variety (Figure 8). The leaf margin in pears is often coarsely waved as in Koonce 

 or Bosc, while occasionally as in Lincoln the waving is less coarse. The amount 

 of waving varies from none to moderate. When the margin is not waved, as in 

 Bartlett for example, it is called even. The coarse margin waving of Anjou is 

 largely caused by the characteristic crookedness of the midrib. 



