46 VARIETIES OF PEARS. 



the apple it generally produces fruit only on alternate years, un- 

 less the land is kept quite rich. The cause of this habit is the 

 same as with the apple, and the remedies the same. 



VARIETIES. In form, size, and color of fruit, the Pear does 

 not vary as much as the fruit of the apple, but in the color of 

 the branches and the leaves and its habit of growth, the variations 

 are much greater; so much so, that most varieties may be dis- 

 tinguished by the expert upon examination of the tree alone. 

 Varieties may be classed as Summer, Autumn and Winter. 



SUMMER PEARS. These, as a rule, are small in size and very 

 parishable. Among ths best, in order of ripening, are : 



Osband's. Small, nearly round; skin green, changing to yellow 

 when ripe, with a brownish cheek; valuable only for home con- 

 sumption. 



Giffard. Medium size ; in form and color like the Bartlett, but 

 with more blush upon the exposed side; tree of rather slender 

 growth and moderately productive; of gooi quality and one of 

 the most profitable early Pears. 



Rostiezer. Of fine quality; small in size, acute pyriform; in 

 color resembling the Seckel ; one of the best in quality, but the 

 tree is of very straggling, irregular growth. 



Clapp's. A very large Pear of fair quality, but has the fault 

 of rotting at the core if ripened upon the tree; obtuse pyriform; 

 yellow, with a brownish red blush upon one half. The tree is 

 vigorous and productive, coming early into bearing. The fruit 

 must be picked at least two weeks before it would naturally ripen 

 upon the tree. 



AUTUMN PEARS. 



Bartlett. This, among the Pears, is what the Baldwin is among 

 the apples, and the Concord among the grapes. The fruit is large, 

 of fair quality and never rots at the core. The tree is moderate- 

 ly vigorous, and so productive that it is liable to injury by over- 

 bearing; a fault that must be remedied by thinning, and by 

 giving an abundance of plant food the bearing year. It is in sea- 

 son in September. 



Bosc. A large, light russet Pear, with a large body and long 

 neck, to which is. attached a long stem; flesh white, juicy, and of 

 fine quality. The fruit is so large and heavy that it is liable to 

 drop, and the tree should be trained low. It is one of the best 

 fall Pears, ripening in October in our latitude. 



Seckel. Small, of the best quality; obtuse pyriform; light cinna- 

 mon russet, with a brownish red blush on the exposed surface. 

 To be of good size the fruit must be thinned. The tree is a vig- 

 orous and compact grower, and regularly productive, ripening in 

 October. 



Sheldon. Nearly round, russet, of large size, juicy, sweet and 

 good. The tree is moderately vigorous and productive; one of 



