THE PEARS OF NEW YORK 61 
are typical. The branches of Beurré Superfin are rough and shaggy. 
Those of Dorset and Fox are slender. The branches of several well-known 
pearsarespiny. A glance through the technical descriptions in Chapter IV 
shows that branches and branchlets are variously colored. The branchlets 
may be stout or slender, long-jointed or short-jointed, pubescent or glabrous, 
straight or zigzag. The angle at which branchlets are set is often character- 
istic. The epidermis may be smooth or covered with scarf-skin. Lastly, 
the size, shape, color, number, and position of the corky cells or lenticels 
on young wood is most important in identifying trees after leaves have 
fallen. 
Leaf-buds and leaves.— Size, length, and shape of leaf-buds are helpful 
in identifying varieties when the trees are dormant. There is considerable 
difference in the length of buds of different varieties, and they may vary 
in thickness; some are plump, others are slender. The shape can usually 
be described as acute, pointed, obtuse, or conical. If the bud lies close to 
the twig, it is said to be appressed; if it stands from the twig at a considerable 
angle, it is free. In some varieties the leaf-scar is conspicuous; in others, 
it is inconspicuous. 
While leaves vary much in accordance with the condition of the plant 
which bears them, yet they offer a number of valuable distinguishing 
characters. It is important in making use of leaves to take only those 
borne on free-growing twigs, as those growing on luxuriant water-sprouts 
on the one hand, or on slow-growing spurs on the other are seldom typical. 
The size of the leaf is a most valuable determinant of varieties of 
pears. Length and breadth should be given in figures. The shape should 
be depicted in carefully chosen words. The body of the leaf is usually 
ovate or oval, but these shapes must nearly always be modified by broad 
or narrow, long or short. The apex requires a descriptive word or two; 
as, taper-pointed, acute, or obtuse. Thickness and texture are sometimes 
noteworthy. The texture is usually described as stiff, leathery, or pliant. 
Sometimes the leaves are flat; sometimes folded upward, and rarely they 
are folded downward. The color of both the upper and lower surfaces is 
often important; and the amount of pubescence, if present, must always 
be noted on the two surfaces. The autumnal tint is a marked characteristic 
in some varieties. The margins offer valuable evidence for identification 
in the character of the serrations which are usually distinct in a variety. 
Sometimes glands and hairs are found on the margins, in which case they 
are usually noteworthy. The time of appearance and the fall of leaves 
