vi PREFACE 
Biographical sketches of men who have been most prominent in pear 
growing in the United States are to be found in the footnotes. These are 
written to give in some measure the credit and honor due to those who 
introduced new varieties or improved their culture. A knowledge of the 
career of these men is indispensable to a full comprehension of the industry 
of growing pears. 
U. P. HEDRICK, 
Horticulturist, New York Agricultural Experiment Station 
