246 THE POME FRUITS 



frequently the bushel, peck and sometimes the half-peck 

 baskets are used. In some sections the bushel box, similar 

 to that of the apple is used. In certain regions each pear is 

 wrapped separately in soft tissue paper. The pear is 

 generally packed for the market directly from the tree. The 

 market demands a pear of medium size, and one of an 

 attractive appearance. 



Varieties. — The selection of ^•arieties varies with the 

 section and the use of the fruit. The pears have a wide 

 range in their season of ripening, so that if the proper atten- 

 tion is given to the selection of varieties the grower may 

 have fruit for his table or for the market from midsummer 

 until early March. Many varieties are tender skinned and 

 unfit for a commercial purpose but are highly prized for the 

 home. 



A few varieties recommended for planting may be enu- 

 merated as follows: Clapp Favorite, Bartlett, Bosc, Winter 

 Nelis, Sheldon, Anjou, Kieffer and Lawrence for commercial 

 planting, while the Bloodgood, Brandywine, Flemish Beauty, 

 AVhite Doyenne, Seckel and Angouleme should be added to 

 the first list for use in the home orchard. 



DISEASES OF THE PEAR. 



The pear, like many other fruits, has several diseases and 

 insects which are onl)' found on this plant. In addition to 

 these special forms there are many more which are common 

 to the apple and some of the other fruits. 



Pear Blight. — The pear blight has been known in tliis 

 country for more than a century. The blight is perhaps 

 the most serious disease of the pear. It is also found on 

 the apple, where it becomes very dangerous on certain 

 varieties. The blight is more commonly seen during the 

 early part of the growing season. It usually appears in the 

 form of a twig blight throughout the blooming period. 

 The blight may continue to extend down the twig until the 

 branch is entirely' killed by its progress. However, under 

 favorable conditions for the gro\\-tla of the host plant, the 

 blight may never extend more than a few inches from the 

 tip of the branch. 



