THE PEARS OF NEW YORK 81 
and quite distinct from any pear I know; the fruit is exactly ovate, broad 
and rounded at the base and tapering from the middle toward the truncate 
apex, as figured by Schneider (fig. 364 d). This may, however, not be a 
specific character and the shape of the fruit may vary in other specimens 
referable to this species. The Chinese material which I have seen and 
which might belong here is very meagre. The Fokien specimen is in 
young fruit which suggests a more pyriform shape, though tapering 
toward the apex and showing the same kind of persistent calyx; the serra- 
tion of the leaves is more minute and more accumbent. The Yunnan 
specimen is in flower and differs somewhat in the more copious tomentum 
of the leaves and of the inflorescence and in the shorter, nearly entire calyx- 
lobes. 
“It is not known when and whence this species was introduced. 
Possibly it was sent in the early sixties from northern China by G. E. 
Simon, or by A. David a little later from the same region or from Mongolia 
to the Museum in Paris and was afterwards distributed by Decaisne.”’ 
This species is of importance to pear-growers as a stock. Discussing 
it as a stock, Reimer’ says: ‘‘ This species ranks second only to Pyrus 
ussuriensis in blight resistance. During 1915 we were unable to get the 
disease to develop more than four inches even in vigorous growing shoots 
of this species. During the very favorable season of 1916 vigorous shoots 
would blight down as much as fifteen inches. As soon as it reached the 
hard wood of the previous season it would stop. All the inoculations into 
one and two-year-old trunks have failed to develop the disease. 
“The trees are vigorous growers, and produce medium sized fruit, 
which is egg-shaped, and has a persistent calyx. This species is a native 
of northern China, and was formerly known as Pyrus simonit.” 
10. PYRUS VARIOLOSA Wallich 
1. Cat. No. 680. 1828, 
Reimer,'! now a leading authority on blight-resistant stocks, writes 
of P. variolosa: ‘“ This species is one of the most promising types in our 
collection. The tree is a beautiful, vigorous, upright grower. It makes 
a good union with cultivated varieties, and should prove valuable as a 
stock for top-working. 
“This species, while not immune to blight, is very resistant. During 
the summer of 1915 a large number of innoculations were made into the 
tips of young branches, and these usually would blight back for a distance 
of three to five inches. During 1916, a very favorable season for pear 
1Reimer, F. C. Reprint from 1916 annual report of Pacific Coast Association of Nurserymen, 
7. I916. 
6 
