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Retd’s Nurseries — Catalogue of Small Fruits, Etc. 
Pears. 
The Pear, like most other things highly desirable and valuable, cannot be had without attention, labor and 
skill. The relative price of the apple and pear 
being about as one to ten, show at the same 
time the superior value of the latter, and the 
greater skill required to bring it to perfection. 
Summer pears should be gathered at least ten 
days before they are ripe, and autumn pears at 
least a fortnight. Winter varieties, if they will 
hang so long, may be left until the leaves begin 
to fall. 
Dwarfs must always be planted suffi- 
ciently deep to cover the junction of the pear 
and quince two or three inches, the soil made 
rich and well tilled, and about one-half of the 
previous summer’s growth cut off each spring. 
Under this treatment dwarfs are everywhere 
successful. The side branches should not be 
removed higher than one foot from the ground 
in dwarfs, while standards may be trimmed to 
any height desired. Train in pyramidal form. 
Gather when, on gentlv lifting the fruit, the stem 
will readily separate from the limb. Place in a 
dark room until fully matured. Winter pears 
may hang on the trees until danger of frost. 
New Varieties of Merit. 
IDAHO PEAR. 
This pear has been attracting so much attention and is of such real value that I take pleasure in giving it a 
place in this list. It is a variety raised from seed saved from an unknown variety, and planted about the year 
1867, by Mrs. Mullkey, of Lewistown, Idaho, and first brought to public notice in the fall of 1886 by Mr. John 
H. Evans, of that place. It has been stated by some of the papers that it is of Chinese parentage, ‘ similar to 
Kiefier,” but my opinion is that this is a mistake, for the fruit bears no resemblance to that class, either in flavor 
or texture. It is much like Angouleme in both these points. 
Size of fruit, from 4 to 4^2 inches in diameter ; shape a little flattened, tapering slightly both ways from the 
center, quite irregular, depressed at the stem; surface rough and uneven, yellow or straw color, with a faint 
blush or brownish red on the sunny side, and a few bronzed blotches ; dots minute, dark and very numerous ; 
basin deep, flaring ; very irregular or ribbed, and thickly covered with fine brown dots ; cavity medium, abrupt, 
irregular; stem stout and rather long; core very small, seeds few' flesh almost white, finegrained, buttery, 
lacking the grit so often found in pears ; flavor sweet to mild subacia, rich aromatic, juicy ; quality very good ; 
season, September, in Idaho. 
Each Doz. Per 100 
Heavy first-class trees, 5 to 7 ft. ; % of an in. and up $0 50 $5 00 $30 00 
Light first-class trees, 5 to 6 ft. ; $4 to K in 4° 4 00 2 5 00 
Second-class trees, 4 to 5 ft. ; ^ to in 3° 3 00 2000 
Third-class trees, by mail, postpaid 2 5 
Dwarfs same price as standards. 
WILDER EARLY PEAR. 
Another year has this noble variety yielded a fine crop of fruit, while other varieties have proved an entire 
failure. For many years the Wilder Early pear has borne abundantly every year, never missing a single season. 
F2ach year we have sent the fruit hundreds and 
thousands of miles by mail and express, and all have 
remarked that its quality was of a very superior grade. 
“It is even better in quality than last year,” write 
Storrs & Harrison Co. 
“ A specimen of the Wilder Early was received on 
the 1st of August, and on the 7th, a week later, it was 
found to be in good eating condition. It is really a 
good pear. For very early use it will be held in high 
esteem .” — American Garden. 
Another point made plainer than ever this year is 
the great vigor of the Wilder. A block of 10,000 trees 
here are a wonder to behold, all stocky, straight and 
well-shaped. This pear is worthy of the high testi- 
monials given it by notable pomologists. We recom- 
mend it as the best early pear, having no competitor 
as the earliest for market, and thus coming in when 
the largest prices can be secured. First-class, 50 cts. 
each, $5 per doz., $30 per 100; second-class, 40 cts. 
each, $4 per doz., $20 per 100 ; third-class, 25. cts. each > 
by mail, postpaid. Dwarfs same price as standards. 
It costs much money to publish our beauti- I Remember that neighbors can club together, 
Tul Catalogue. Do you not want something, I and so obtain reduced rates on large orders, 
so that we can get our postage in return ? I This a very economical plan. • 
