200 



JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



PKAIJS. 



By Mr. W. Crump, F.K.H.S. 



[Read October 10, 1893.] 



There have always boon conflicting testimonies concerning the 

 merits or demerits of certain Pears, and probably there always 

 will be differences of opinion ; but this is not greatly to be 

 wondered at when we consider the varying character and com- 

 position of soils, the extremely subtle influences of stocks, the 

 elevation, shelter, and other different climatic surroundings 

 under which cultivators find themselves situated. 



Especially owing to climate, the cultivation of Pears in this 

 country is, and always must be, a somewhat precarious business ; 

 although, on the other hand, it is equally certain that there is no 

 other English-grown fruit more highly appreciated by the public, 

 and the demand for good, moderate-priced Pears is enormous and 

 ever increasing. It is more than remarkable to notice, on the 

 one hand, what a demand there always is for luscious, wholesome 

 Pears, especially among railway travellers, and to see, on the 

 other, how inadequately the purchasing public are served, for 

 there is nothing more thoroughly refreshing or so highly appre- 

 ciated on a long dusty journey as really good juicy Pears. 



Pears may be classed in three distinct sections, viz. : First, 

 imported Pears and choice dessert Pears grown under glass, or 

 with the assistance of walls ; secondly, the ordinary Pears of 

 commerce as grown on standard or bush trees in the open air 

 in favoured counties ; and, thirdly, the little, hard, indigestible 

 Pears grown solely for the manufacture of that very wholesome 

 beverage, perry. In passing, it may be observed that in these 

 days of universal depression the manufacture of perry, and cider 

 also, is receiving very considerable attention from intelligent 

 growers of fruit. Scientific principles are being applied, inferior 

 fruit is economised, and a better article is produced than hitherto, 

 and one certainly more wholesome than the cheap foreign wines 

 with which it is intended to compete. 



As regards dessert Pears, in size and appearance it is fairly 

 certain we shall never be able to compete successfully outdoors 

 with the superior climate of France and the Channel Islands, 

 or of California, in the production of large fruit of first quality, 

 especially in the case of I) u oh esse d'Angouleme, Peurre Magni- 



