DESCRIPTIONS OF PEARS. 



THE terms used for describing Apples will apply in a 

 great measure to Pears. The only new term is that 

 applied to the stem, which, when it gradually swells 

 to the fruit at its point of insertion is called continued. 

 An example of this is Beurre Superfin. 



The autumnal colour of the leaves is noted in many 

 cases, as this will be found to be of great value in deter- 

 mining the names of some varieties. 



KEY TO CLASSIFICATION OF PEARS. 



IN attempting to classify Pears, great difficulty has 

 always been found in that they are not so constant 

 in form and colour as Apples. I have therefore made 

 my main divisions here those of seasons, Summer 

 July, August, September ; Autumn October, Novem- 

 ber ; and Winter December and onwards. It will 

 be evident that there will be some which do not exactly 

 fit in this grouping, but they are fortunately few, 

 and it is a little surprising how many Pears do fall 

 in three such groups. In any case where a variety is 

 at the end of any of these periods it will be well to 

 look also at the following group. The grouping other- 

 wise follows that of the Apples, each fruit being placed 

 as nearly as possible in the middle of its season. There 

 are sub-divisions; such as fruits having a bright red 

 flush, as Clapp's Favourite, fruits which are a smooth 

 green, as Glou Morceau ; and those which are 

 entirely covered with russet, such as Calebasse Bosc. 

 These are denoted by certain signs, which will enable 

 them to be picked out at once, without going through 

 the whole series of names. Thus a Summer Pear 

 of large size with a red flush of Calebasse form will be 

 either Marguerite Marillat or Souvenir de Congres, 

 taking, of course, those described in the following pages. 



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