264 Fruit-growing in Arid Regions 



ling pears, makes the mistake of delaying picking too 

 long. 



It is a common saying, that Bartlett pears are ready 

 to pick as soon as they are large enough, or when over 

 2^ inches in diameter. This, however, is not always 



FIG. 71. Pear on Right Ready to pick; the Other too Green. 



a safe rule to follow, for pears on young trees or trees 

 carrying a light crop may reach the desired size and yet 

 be too green to ripen well. Pears picked too green wilt 

 in storage and refuse to ripen. When ready to pick, 

 the Bartlett and many other varieties have a characteristic 

 mottled appearance as shown in Figure 71. The pear 



