SEVEN] OUT IN THE ORCHARD 
more really valuable pears that the list will be sure 
to leave out some one’s favorite; and I shall not un- 
dertake to name many really excellent pears for 
localities. My only object is to give you a good list, 
covering the full season. Flemish Beauty, un- 
fortunately, can no longer be grown, unless sprayed 
very early and repeatedly with Bordeaux Mix- 
ture; and even then it must stand on high and 
open ground. It cracks and blights, but is the 
most delicious dessert pear in the world — besides 
being a superb variety for canning. All in all, for 
first rank as a table pear, except for color, the Shel- 
don is the king. The Seckel is ideal in flavor, but 
is too small to be grown for market. Tyson is 
slow to come into bearing, but is one of the most de- 
licious early sorts. Clapp’s Favorite must be picked 
ten days before it is soft, and matured in a dark 
storeroom or cellar — then it keeps admirably, and 
is of superb flavor — otherwise it will rot at the core, 
and has no flavor to deserve attention. Onondaga 
is one of the best stand-bys for immense crops of 
large, clean pears that I have ever grown. I like 
it more and more each year. ‘The tree is very 
tough and hardy. The fruit, when well ripened, 
is fine for eating, and is always splendid for can- 
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