Special Report 63 



ripened it develops into a fruit of much excellence. Its short thick stem in 

 connection with its large size renders it very liable to be thrown to the 

 ground in wind storms which is a serious objection in many sections. 

 Growth of tree and productiveness are all that could be desired. 



Anjou : This has been a very much lauded pear for market in years past. 

 While a grand fruit and deserving a place in every collection, it has been a 

 disappointment for commercial purposes in this section at least. It pos- 

 sesses more weak points than any variety seeking commercial honors that 

 I am familiar with. While the tree is a strong vigorous grower I have 

 found it a very unreliable producer. Rarely failing to bloom profusely 

 weather conditions have to be ideal for it to set fruit. Owing to a very 

 tender skin the fruit has suffered much from sun scald and a moderate wind 

 often brings a large percentage of them to the ground ; and in addition to 

 this it is not over popular in the markets. 



Flemish Beauty, Sheldon, Tyson, Buffum, Lawrence, Angouleme, 

 Louise Bonne, and some others, that at one time were commercial varieties 

 in this district, have been virtually eliminated from the list. Flemish Beauty 

 retains its old time popularity in some sections, notably Central and North- 

 ern New York and Mr. F. E. Dawley informs me that more of this variety 

 is sold in the Syracuse market than of any other. He says this variety suc- 

 ceeds remarkably well there and is more largely grown than any other. 

 Angouleme as a dwarf is grown to quite an extent in Western New York 

 commercially. Neither of these two are of any value in this section under 

 the best of conditions. I have never been able to find a satisfactory market 

 for winter pears, but where such is to be had Josephine and Nelis are 

 desirable. The Nelis is a pear of great excellence ranking in quality among 

 the winter varieties with Seckel among the autumn ones. I believe the 

 near future will see greater popularity for it. 



New Varieties 

 Of the newer varieties that have been tested I know of only one so far 

 that we can say with much confidence is an acquisition : that is the Wor- 

 den-Seckel. The tree is a strong vigorous grower and a prolific bearer, 

 when the tree reaches a little age. Some growers complain of it being a 

 little shy in producing on young trees but my experience in top working it 

 on old trees, show it to be very prolific and also the quality of the fruit is 

 better than on young trees, which is not infrequent with some other varieties. 

 I have failed so far to find a weak point with this new comer although some 

 may develop later. The fruit is very much larger than the old Seckel and 

 more attractive in appearance, in fact it is the most beautiful pear I know of. 

 Its season of ripening is about that of Seckel. It is a superior keeper and 

 in quality it ranks high, close up to its parent. In New York market this 

 season it sold for fancy prices. 



