POME FRUITS 169 



Pears are not quite so hardy as apples, but they are 

 grown almost , everywhere. They are picked before 

 they are fully ripe and are allowed to ripen after they 

 are placed in storage. This is done because if they 

 are allowed to ripen on the tree, they store up in the 

 flesh, especially around the core, hard particles like 

 sand which are called pear grit. They do not contain 

 so much grit if they are picked green and placed in 

 storage to ripen. 



Quinces are not an important fruit. They are used 

 for jelly and preserves. Loquats are grown in the 

 South and in California. They are used mainly as 

 fresh fruit. 



Dwarfing. Pear trees may be dwarfed by grafting 

 them on quince seedlings. Apple trees may be dwarfed 

 by grafting them on dwarf kinds of seedlings. The 

 dwarfed trees may be planted closer together than the 

 ordinary trees. They are easier to spray and the fruit 

 can be gathered without ladders. 



QUESTIONS 



1. What is the most important fruit grown in this country ? 



2. What is a pome ? What are the principal pome fruits ? 



3. What kind of soil is best for apple trees ? 



4. How are apple trees propagated ? 



5. Why should pears be picked before they are ripe ? 



PRACTICAL EXERCISES 



i. On a certain day, each pupil should bring, if possible, 

 good specimens of the apples grown in the home orchard. 



