64 THE PEARS OF NEW YORK 
medium, and small, modified by very, above, and below. Used in connection 
with size, uniform signifies that the fruit of a variety runs fairly even in 
the same size. 
Shape is the most important character in describing the fruit. It may 
be used with immature as well as mature specimens. In determining the 
shape of the fruit, the pear should be held opposite to the eye perpendicular 
to the diameter from stem to calyx; or the fruit may be cut longitudinally 
at its widest diameter. The shape of the body of the pear is usually 
described first, followed by a description of the narrow part bearing the 
stem, if this neck is prominent enough to be noteworthy. A pear is pyriform 
when the curve formed by the body and neck is concave; turbinate, or 
top-shaped, when the body is nearly round with a short neck. The neck 
may be long or short, distinct or obscure, obtuse or acute. Sheldon is typically 
turbinate; Beurré d’Anjou, Beurré Bosc, and Bartlett are all pyriform. 
A graphic record should accompany a description of the fruit to show 
size and shape. A simple outline drawing serves the purpose. 
The stem.— Varying as little as any other character of the pear, the 
stem is much used in identification. It may be long and slender, as in 
the Beurré Bosc; short and thick, as in Doyenné du Comice; fleshy, as in 
Louise Bonne de Jersey; clubbed, when enlarged at the end; and lipped 
when the flesh forms a protuberance under which the stem is inserted. 
The stems of pears are often set obliquely as in Beurré Clairgeau; or are 
crooked or curved as in Howell. In a few varieties the stems are chan- 
neled. The stems of some pears have distinguishing colors, those of others 
are pubescent. In some pears, as Souvenir d’Espéren, there are bud-like 
projections on the stem. 
The length of the stem in pears is a reliable diagnostic character only 
when it is known from what part of the flower-cluster the fruit was 
developed. For, as a rule, the nearer the flower to the tip of the raceme 
in the pear, the shorter the stem on the fruit. 
Cavity and basin.— The cavity, the depression in which the stem is set, 
offers several marks which greatly enhance the value of a description of 
any of the pears. The cavity may be acute or obtuse; shallow, medium, 
or deep; narrow, medium, or broad; smooth or russeted; furrowed, ribbed, 
angular, or uniform; or it may be lipped as described under stem. The 
color of the skin within the cavity is sometimes different from that without, 
and there may be radiating lines, rays, or streaks. 
The basin, the depression in which the calyx is set, is as important as 
