256 Diseases of the Pear, 
spread in the winter and enlarge very rapidly to a certain limit 
and there stop for the season, proceeding or advancing from 
new centers the next year. They occur in some parts of the 
interior valley in ruinous amount and grow much more slowly 
near the coast. Cutting back where the disease occurs on the 
smaller limbs has measurably checked the trouble, but not by 
any means put an end to it. No satisfactory treatment has be n 
denionstrated, but the use of strong Bordeaux Mixture in the 
autumn on the trunk and larger branches has been used to some 
extent and some have pronounced such application beneficial 
at least in reducing the speed of the disease. 
The scab fungus which seriously affects some varieties, and 
notably the Winter Nelis, in the coast region, is identical with 
the scab of the apple and will be mentioned in the chapter on 
tree diseases. because of the tabiliy co: tue Winter Nelis 10 
this disease, and because of its irregular bearing in the coast 
region, there have been many trees grafted over into varieties 
better suited to coast conditions. The Beurre Clairgeau, be- 
cause of its health, prolific bearing, and acceptability to shippers, 
was largely introduced in this way, but it has not sold as well 
as expected. Ordinary top grafting succeeds admirably with 
the pear. Clapp’s Favorite and other varieties have also been 
workea upon Winter Nelis. 
GATHERING AND RIPENING OF PEARS. 
Many pear growers make the common mistake of allowing 
the fruit to hang too long on the tree, instead of gathering and 
ripening in a cool, dark place. Pears should be picked at the 
first indication of ripeness, the first sign being a tendency of 
the stem to part from the spur when the pear is gently raised 
up. This test applies especially to the Bartlett. Picking at 
this stage and laying away in the dark ripens up the Bartlett 
well. When picked at this stage and sent overland by slow 
freight, they ripen en route and the boxes open well on the 
Eastern markets. There are a few varieties which shrivel if 
ripened under cover, but the rule is a good one, and the grower 
will soon note the exceptions. Many desirable varieties have, 
no doubt, been pronounced poor and insipid because allowed to 
ripen on the tree. 
To ripen well, pears should be packed in tight boxes or 
inclosed in drawers. They do not do as well as apples on 
shelves open to circulation of air. As already stated, the oily- 
skinned apple endures exposure and maintains a smooth, ruddy 
cheek and sound heart in spite of wind, rain, and rough weather. 
The pear, under similar conditions, decays rapidly. 
