STANDARDS FOR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 117 
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS 
As used in these grades: ; 
1. ‘‘ Mature” means that the pear has reached the 
stage of maturity which will insure the proper com- 
pletion of the ripening process. 
Before a mature pear becomes overripe it will show 
varying degrees of firmness depending upon the stage 
of the ripening process. Therefore a statement of 
firmness should be given in order to indicate the stage 
of the ripening process. A description of the ground 
color should also be given. 
The following terms should be used for describing 
the ground color: “ Green”, “ tight green ”, * yellowish 
green”, and “ yellow.” 
The following terms should be used for deseribing 
the firmness of pears: 
‘““ Hard” means that the flesh of the pear is solid 
and does not yield appreciably even to considerable 
pressure. Such pears are in suitable condition for 
long storage period for the variety. 
“Firm” means that the flesh of the pear is fairly 
Solid but yields somewhat to moderate pressure. The 
ripening process in firm pears is further advanced 
than in hard pears and they cannot be held in storage 
as long. Winter varieties at the firm stage may be 
held longer than the early varieties. 
“Firm ripe”? means that the flesh of the pear yields 
readily to moderate pressure. Such a pear is ap- 
proaching the stage at which it is in prime eating con- 
dition but may be held for a brief period although 
winter varieties can be held longer than the early 
varieties. 
“ Ripe’ means that the pear is at the stage where 
it is in its most desirable condition for eating. 
2. “ Overripe”’ means dead ripe, very mealy or soft, 
past commercial utility. 
8. “Clean” means free from excessive dirt, dust, 
spray residue, or other foreign material. 
4, “ Fairly well formed” means that the pear may 
be slightly abnormal in shape but not to an extent 
which detracts materially from the appearance of the 
frewit. 
5. “Seriously deformed ”’ means that the pear is so 
badly misshapen that itS appearance is severely 
affected. 
