SEVEN] OUT IN THE ORCHARD 



more really valuable pears that the list will be sure 

 to leave out some one's favorite; and I shall not un- 

 dertake to name many really excellent pears for 

 localities. My only object is to give you a good list, 

 covering the full season. Flemish Beauty, un- 

 fortunately, can no longer be grown, unless sprayed 

 very early and repeatedly with Bordeaux Mix- 

 ture; and even then it must stand on high and 

 open ground. It cracks and blights, but is the 

 most delicious dessert pear in the world — besides 

 being a superb variety for canning. All in all, for 

 first rank as a table pear, except for color, the Shel- 

 don is the king. The Seckel is ideal in flavor, but 

 is too small to be grown for market. Tyson is 

 slow to come into bearing, but is one of the most de- 

 licious early sorts. Clapp's Favorite must be picked 

 ten days before it is soft, and matured in a dark 

 storeroom or cellar — then it keeps admirably, and 

 is of superb flavor — otherwise it will rot at the core, 

 and has no flavor to deserve attention. Onondaga 

 is one of the best stand-bys for immense crops of 

 large, clean pears that I have ever grown. I like 

 it more and more each year. The tree is very 

 tough and hardy. The fruit, when well ripened, 

 is fine for eating, and is always splendid for can- 



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