VARIETIES 



189 



PEAR 



A number of points which have been discussed under the head of 

 the apple will apply here. Nothing more need be said regarding 

 the location and exposure or the culture of the pear orchard. 

 The methods of planting and pruning are also similar. 



Soils. — For the pear we 

 would prefer to use the very 

 heavy soils, at least the pear 

 will endure heavier soils than 

 almost any other fruit. 



Pruning. — Pear trees should 

 be regularly pruned each year. 

 Follow the general directions 

 for pruning given for the apple. 

 In many cases it will be neces- 

 sary to cut back some of the 

 new growth as shown in fig- 

 ure 118. 



Varieties. — Pears differ 

 widely in their keeping and 

 eating qualities and in their 

 resistance to disease. Those 

 should be selected for planting 

 which are most suited to the 

 locality. Before planting con- 

 siderable inquiry should be 

 made concerning the varieties 

 which stand blight in the local 

 soils. Also find which ones 

 will bear best and which trees 

 live longest in the local soils. 



Along with these matters 

 should be considered the ques- 

 tion of quality. Some pears, 

 such as Seckel are of very high 

 quality and are suitable for 

 eating out of hand. The Bart- 

 lett is of good quality and yet is often attacked by twig blight. 

 The Kieffer is considered one of the poorest in quality, yet is one 

 of the best keepers, and is often least subject to attacks of diseases. 



Select only one or two varieties of pears for the home orchard. 



V 



Fig. 



115. — Press and clamp for " heading" 

 barrels of apples. When fruit is packed with 

 some pressure the damage from shipment is 

 reduced. 



