SOUTHERN NURSERY COMPANY, WINCHESTER, TENNESSEE 
Kieffer 
Winter Pears 
The growing of this valuable fruit for both home and market purposes cannot be too strongly 
urged. It far exceeds the apple in its melting, juicy texture, rich, refined flavor, and the range 
of varieties is such that, by a judicious selection, the ripening season, beginning in July, can he 
continued in succession into winter. It is a mistaken opinion among some persons that standard 
Pears are a long time coming into bearing. Many of the varieties begin to bear in. four to 
six years after transplanting, and some of the newer varieties, such as the Kieffers. will 
produce fruit as soon as the dwarf Pear, which is usually two or three years, after trans- 
planting. The Pears when once in bearing seldom fail to produce a crop of fruit annually. 
Gathering Peurs. — In order to retain the juice and best flavor, summer Pears should be 
gathered at least ten days before they are ripe, and the autumn Pears at least two weeks; 
winter varieties as soon as the leaves begin to drop. 
Thinning the Frnit. — When the trees are heavily laden the fruit should be thinned when 
about one-third grown, else the fruit will be poor and the trees injured. 
We grow none but the very best varieties, having discarded those that we have learned 
from experience are not desirable. The list we offer, while perhaps not so lengthy as some 
others. Is composed of the best tested varieties to be had. New varieties will be added from 
time to time, as fast as their merits prove them to be worthy of propagation. 
Summer and Autumn Pears 
KOONCE. New. Originated in Illinois, and described as the best very early Pear, ripen- 
ing two weeks before the Early Harvest; medium to large size; yellow, one side of which is 
covered with red; does not rot at the core; very productive, having long and regular crops; 
handsome; a good shipper; profitable tree, vigorous, upright and free from blight. 
EARLY HARVEST. Tree robust and free from blight. Size medium, fair quality; color 
yellow, with red cheek. Ripens with the earliest, and is a fine market Pear in every respect. 
SECKEL. Small, short pear-form; yellowish-brown, with russet-red cheek; rich, juicy 
and melting, with a distinct flavor. August. 
KARThETT. Large; pear-shaped; yellow; rich, juicy and very fine. The most popular 
variety of its season. Early in August. 
WILDER. Small and medium, bell-shaped; yellow ground, shaded carmine; flesh whitish 
yellow, fine grained, tender, subacid. Vigorous grower, early and annual bearer, very pro- 
ductive; good quality, and one of the first to ripen. Probably the best early market variety. 
Ripens with Alexander Peach. 
SHELDON. Medium; yellow on a greenish russet, with a richly shaded cheek; flesh a lit- 
tle coarse; melting and juicy, with a brisk, vinous flavor; highly perfumed; productive. Sept. 
CLAPP'S FAVORITE. Large, resembling Hartlett; ripening earlier; productive. Late July. 
DUCHESSE TV ANGOULEME. Very large; dull yellow; buttery, rich, juicy and 
excellent; does best as a dwarf. August. 
LAWRENCE. Medium; short; pear-shaped; pale yellow; rich, 
juicy and excellent. Early winter. 
VICAR OF WAKEFIELD. Large; long pyriform ; pale green. 
Keeps well. 
DUCHESSE. Medium; yellow with some russet; rich, juicy 
and very good. Season, October to November. 
LLNCOLN COKELESS. Originated in Lincoln County, Tenn. 
Fruit very large, handsome appearance, good quality and very 
few, if any seeds. Almost clear of core and seeds, whence its 
name. One of the best keepers among winter Pears. Golden 
yellow; tree a good grower and very productive. Has never 
been known to blight. 
LE CONTE. Fruit large and fair quality; young and very 
prolific bearer; an upright, very straight grower; tree very 
hardy; and its beautiful fruit and foliage make it quite orna- 
mental. Ripe in September in North Carolina. 
JAPAN GOLDEN RUSSET. Unusually productive, bearing 
in clusters; commencing to fruit two years after transplanting 
from the nursery. Valuable for canning. Of strong, luxuriant 
growth, large, dark green leaves until late in the season, when 
they become a beautiful bronze, changing to a brilliant crim- 
son, and with branches bending under their loads of golden 
russet Pears It is a thing of beauty, and an ornament in any 
lawn or fruit garden. The fruit is of medium size, flat, or 
apple-shaped. 
GARBEK. Equally as hardy as Le Conte or Kieffer; of same 
class of Pears. The growth and appearance are very much like 
Kieffer; ripens one month sooner and of better quality. 
KIEFFER'S HYBRID. Originated near Philadelphia. Sup- 
posed to be a seedling of a Chinese Sand Pear crossed with the 
Bartlctt. Size large, very handsome; skin yellow with a bright 
vermilion cheek; very juicy, with a musky aroma; quality good 
when ripened to perfection. Rather coarse grained, but one of 
the best Pears for canning or preserving. A very young and 
prolific bearer. As near blight-proof as a Pear can be called. 
MAGNOLIA. Origin, South Georgia. Large to very large; 
broad to roundish pyriform; surface smooth, yellowish russet, 
tinged with red and brown on the sunny side; dots numerous, 
irregular; flesh white, crisp, tender, juicy, mild subacid; quality 
good. Valuable for canning and preserving. Season three or 
four weeks later than the KlefTer. Very valuable on account 
of its lateness, coming after the Kieffer is gone. It belongs to 
the Oriental class of Pears, and is equal in quality to the best 
of that class. Being the largest and latest of the Oriental class 
Its value is apparent. A prolific bearer; a thrifty, dwarfish 
grower. 
FLEMISH BEAUTY. Large ; greenish yellow, russetted; sweet and rich, ex- 
cellent flavor; productive. July. 
HOWELL. A fin'* large Pear, sweet and melting; pale yellow, with 
a red cheek and patches of russet. June and July. 
BUERRE D'ANJOl". Rather large, obtuse form; greenish yellow; 
dull r>>d cheek; rich, melting and buttery. A splendid pear and a 
great favorite of all who grow it. Succeeds best as 
a dwarf. October. 
TYSON. Medium or large; bright yellow, with a 
reddish brown, softly shaded cheek, sometimes rus- 
setted; flesh of fine texture, buttery, very melting, 
juicy; flavor nearly sweet, aromatic, slightly per- 
fumed, excellent. August. 
MAC'KLEROY. This wonderful pear was brought 
to Franklin County, Tenn., by Mr. Davis Mackleroy, 
from South Carolina, over one 
hundred years ago (he was the 
first settler in this county). The 
tree has not failed to bear a 
single crop in its history. Rip- 
ens here about June 1 5. The 
tree is still bearing. 
0 
Dwarf Pears 
Dwarf Pears must be planted sufficiently deep to cover the 
Junction of the Pear and quince three or four inches — the soil 
made rich and well tilled About one-third the previous sum- 
mer's growth should be cut off each spring. Under this treat- 
ment dwarfs are everywhere successful. 
Dwarfs frequently succeed where standards fail, especially 
where the soil Is deficient of clay loam. It Is very important 
to select proper varieties, however, as not all varieties of Pears 
succeed well as dwarfs. Those most desirable are Angouleme, 
Reckel, Vicar of Wakefield, and Anjou. 
The location of our Nurseries is one of the strongest 
points in the quality of the stock we send out. In some way 
or other, we are absolutely free of diseases in this most 
favored locality — no peach yellows, no root-knot, and, 
what is a imrticularly great blessing, we never had a case 
of San Jose scale in this neighborhood. 
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