CANNING AND DRYING 



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tions. The sugar content is higher in fruit left longer on the 

 trees than in that picked earlier. Pears picked too green lack 

 flavor and are likely to shrivel instead of ripening. Shriveling 

 occurs because the lenticels in the skin of the fruit are not 

 corked over, so that evaporation takes place rapidly. 



When pears picked at too immature a stage finally ripen, 

 not only are they lacking in sugar content and quality, but also 

 they break down and decay very quickly. Pears picked at a 

 later stage remain in good condition for a much longer time 

 after softening. Bartletts intended for cold storage or for 

 canning should be a "light green to turning.'' Pears picked 

 very late and canned have an unattractive, chalky color, a 

 cloudy syrup, and an insipid flavor. 



Experience and careful attention each season as the crop 

 approaches maturity are necessary to determine the proper 

 picking stage. 



Picking methods, equipment and containers resemble those 

 for the apple. 



2. Packages and Packing. Packages for the pear are not 

 well standardized. The bushel basket, the standard pear box, 

 and the half-box are all used by some growers and for some 

 varieties. 



The pear box and half-box in which each specimen is 

 wrapped are used in the West; the bushel basket and Eastern 

 apple box, in other sections. Bushel crates are also used for 

 canning factories and for storage. Climax baskets are found 

 on local markets. Placing the pears in layers and facing them 

 so improves the appearance of the pack as often to make the 

 operations worth while, when the fruit is sold in the fresh state. 



On account of the shape of the fruit, grading machines have 

 not found as much favor as for apples and peaches, but peach 

 graders are used to some extent, as well as machines that size 

 by weight, for sizing pears. 



3. Canning and Drying. Canning factories in some sec- 

 tions take much of the fruit, providing a dependable outlet 

 and stabilizing prices. The fruit must be hand-picked and 



