14 



ROEDING'S FRUIT GROWERS' GUIDE 



for doing this work whenever it is necessary. Bear in 

 mind that it is not advisable to thin until the fruit is 

 well set. 



GATHERING AND RIPENING 



Pears, to secure the very best in them and high-class 

 delicious fruit, should never be allowed to ripen on the 

 tree. Tree-ripened fruit is mealy, without juice, and 

 is, in fact, entirely lacking in quality. The time to 

 gather is indicated by the change in color from the de- 

 cided green stage and the fact that when the pear is 

 elevated slightly its stem parts readily from the branch 

 to which it is attached. One of the great advantages 

 in favor of the Bartlett is the fact that it can be picked 

 as soon as it reaches the standard size of two and a 

 quarter inches, packed in boxes, and shipped to the 

 eastern markets, maturing en route and being ready for 

 sale as soon as it reaches its destination. It is out of the 

 question to handle winter pears like apples. They must be 

 wrapped and packed tight in boxes, or placed in drawers 

 closed tight in a room where the temperature only ranges 

 from sixty to seventy degrees Fahrenheit. The pear, 

 not having the"" oily skin of the apple, will shrivel up in- 

 stead of ripening when exposed to the air. Pears which 

 have been properly ripened are exceedingly melting, 

 buttery and juicy. 



The drying of pears is a very important industry in 

 many sections of California. The fruit is allowed to re- 

 main on the trees until it has attained its largest size. 

 The pears are then placed on trays or shelves under 

 cover, and as" soon as they show color, they are halved. 

 A loaded car of trays is run into the sulphur house, 

 where they are exposed to the fumes of burning sulphur 

 for four hours. The fruit is then exposed to the sun 

 for a period of ten days, depending on the weather. 

 The finest product is very inviting. The flesh is white 

 while the skin is of a light golden color. Lake county 

 has a reputation for producing the finest dried pears 

 in California. One of the advantages of drying pears 

 is that fruit unfit for shipping or canning can be used 

 for drying by cutting out the defects. 



IRRIGATION 



No absolute rule can be laid down for irrigating. 

 Where irrigation is practised at least from two to three 

 irrigations, starting in May and continuing up to Sep- 

 tember, should be given to maintain good active growth 

 in the trees for the first few years. For the first 

 three years, where the roots are confined to a narrow 

 space, a back furrow on each side of the row and three feet 

 from the trees, with a cross check six feet below to back 

 up the water, will provide all the water that is necessary 



ps>..^ 



These old monarchs are pear trees on the A. Block place near Santa Clara. These trees on quince root are only 

 fifteen feet apart, nevertheless they are still in their prime and are constant and regular bearers. 



