120 HARVESTING, STORING, AND MARKETING 



III. THE PEAR 



The pear must be picked while still hard and firm. Ripened 

 on the tree, it is likely to be coarse and stringy or sometimes 

 gritty, and the center may turn brown before the exterior 

 shows signs of deterioration. Out of storage, and with the 

 exception of certain winter sorts, it reaches its maximum con- 

 dition and passes on to softening and decay quickly, thus again 

 emphasizing the necessity for picking at the proper time and 



(r. S. D. A.) 



Fig. 49. Picking Bartlett pears in an Oregon orchard. Note clean cul- 

 tivation and picking equipment. 



for prompt handling. Table 28 indicates the chief producing 

 areas. 



1. Picking. In practice pick pears while green in color, but 

 with a decided tendency toward a lighter shade. If the fruit 

 is to go into consumption immediately, it may be permitted to 

 hang longer than if it must be held for some time. The fruit 

 often makes a marked increase in size during the late stages of 

 development, and the grower will wish to get the benefit of this 

 increase so far as he may without incurring loss in other direc- 



