CLASSIFICATION OF PEARS. 



It is a matter of considerable importance to discover a classification of this fruit, which 

 shall furnish constant and distinctive marks. The most superficial observer will not fail 

 in recognizing differences between many varieties ; there are others^ however, where the 

 resemblances are so close that the practical eye fails to discover those differences which 

 relieve from doubt and uncertainty. Characters in natural history have degrees of value. 

 Color, in some instances, is of the greatest importance ; in others, of no consequence at 

 all ; in others still, it is of more or less value, being itself graduated in this respect by its 

 constancy. In apples, whose colors are variegated, there seems to be a greater constancy 

 than in pears. It perhaps arises from a greater variety in the colors of apples, and in their 

 remarkable brightness and depth ; but in pears colorings are mellowed off in a softness which 

 is rarely seen in apples. It is difficult to express in terms, the real tint which constitutes 

 the main differences in two or more allied varieties. Color, therefore, in pears, though 

 important, is less useful as a distinctive mark, than in apples. 



Another important character is obtained by a comparison of the proportion of parts. 



Form is another character which retains sufficient constancy to be employed as a cha- 

 racteristic. From the foregoing considerations, and others which might be stated were it 

 necessary, I propose to make a new classification of varieties of pears, otherwise it will be 

 impossible to describe them so as to enable one to recognize them. The season of ripening, 

 as it proves a useful fact, will be employed in forming the first division ; at the same time 

 it is evident that in natural history it is not a basis of any importance. As we find this fruit 

 ripening in summer, autumn, and winter, we have the three divisions, Summer, Autumn, 

 and Winter pears. The disadvantage of this division is, that we have many betweens, 

 which it is difficult to locate. Still there are so many advantages in retaining this primary 

 division, that I would by no means reject it. 



