LUTHER BURBANK 



similar origin, including the Le Cbnte, the Garber, 

 and the Smith. These hybrids soon became stand- 

 ard pears in the Gulf States, where the European 

 pears do not thrive. 



Mammoth Pears in California 



The hybrid pears did not gain popularity in 

 California, because the climate and soil of this 

 state seemed to be peculiarly hospitable to the 

 European pears, notably the Bartlett. 



By crossbreeding and selection these have 

 been so developed, without hybridization with the 

 oriental species, as to assume almost colossal pro- 

 portions, and while differing widely in flavor from 

 the original stock, to retain enough characteristics 

 of the original to constitute a most valuable mar- 

 ket fruit. 



The California pears, indeed, have quite out- 

 done themselves. They have been described as 

 "grand in size, delicate in color and aroma, and of 

 unsurpassed richness." A specimen has been re- 

 ported that was "nine inches high, sixteen inches 

 around the base, and five pounds in weight." 



Pears of allied varieties show scarcely less 

 notable tendency to grow to unprecedented size; 

 for example, five Vicar of Winkfields are reported 

 as weighing four pounds, eight ounces; nine Easter 

 Beurre as weighing 24^ pounds, Jhe heaviest sin- 

 gle specimen weighing 2% pounds, and the like. 



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