THE PEARS OF NEW YORK 29 
astringent to the taste, somewhat acid and pleasant. They last until the 
sun has passed Aquarius or Pisces. They abound in Meissen. 
“ Bratbirn gross, also called Fregelbirn, that is, pears for roasting, are 
about the largest of all, for sometimes they weigh.a mina (about 15.2 ounces) 
and a half; they are of globular shape, sometimes conical, and frequently 
irregular; of a color midway between pale green and red, redder on one 
side. They have a pulp with pleasant juice, astringent, partaking somewhat 
of acid. They grow in Meissen, especially at Leisnig and Koldit. 
“Grauchenbirn, that is, Gray pear, have received their name from 
their color, since they are ash-colored and at the same time greenish. They 
are small and of globular shape, measuring an inch in breadth as well as 
in length; in appearance are in no way different from some of the wild 
pears; in taste are soft, mild, sweet, with a pleasantly astringent quality; 
they last till after the winter solstice. They grow in the country about 
Meissen and Leipzig. 
“ Gelbrotebirn, that is, Yellow-red pear, have an oblong pyramidal 
shape, generally reaching a length of three inches, and a width of two 
inches. Their color on one side is yellow, on the other saffron and purple; 
their pulp is soft, astringent to the taste, pleasant, slightly acid, and watery. 
They ripen at the beginning of autumn, and last till the winter solstice. 
They grow at Hildesheim in Saxony. 
“‘ Griinlingebirn, that is, Green pear, are quite large, since sometimes 
they exceed three inches in length, two inches in breadth; they have an 
oblong pyramidal shape, a green color, a juicy pulp, sharply astringent to 
the taste. They ripen at the beginning of autumn, and last till after the 
solstice. There is a large crop of them at Hildesheim. 
“ Wasserbirn, that is, Water pear, rival Green pear in size, they have 
a shape big-bellied in the middle and taper to a point at both ends, sharper 
and more oblong toward the stem, but shorter and blunter near the base. 
Their color on one side is pale, speckled with dots, on the other reddish, 
pale on the edges. They have juicy pulp, watery and rather pleasant to 
the taste. They become ripe with the Green pear but do not last so long. 
They grow at Hildesheim. 
‘“* Kegelbirn, that is, Cone pear, have the shape of a pine cone, and 
from a rather broad base end in a point; their length is three inches, their 
width two; their color on one side green, on the other reddish. Their 
pulp is juicy, harsh to the taste. Their maturity falls at the beginning 
of autumn, from which time they may last till the winter solstice. They 
are produced at Hildesheim.”’ 
THE PEAR IN ENGLAND 
Much as America owes England for fruit, farm, and garden crops, she 
is but little indebted to her for pears. Varieties of pears have come to 
