1279 
and as such is worthy of a trial in California, where 
early varieties of the Guatemalan race are needed. 
Its only visible defect is its somewhat large seed. 
The quality is good and the fruit is attractive in 
appearance. This location is not sufficiently high to 
experience cold weather, hence the variety must be 
assumed to be of average hardiness for the Guatemal- 
an race until it can be given a trial in the United 
States. The productiveness of this variety is some- 
what in doubt. The crop harvested in 1917 was not 
large. The tree bloomed heavily in December and was 
setting a good crop when last seen. The season of 
ripening extends from October to the first of December. 
Probably the fruits would remain on the tree later 
than December if given an opportunity to do so, but as 
avocados are very scarce at this season of the year 
they are picked as soon as mature. The form of the 
fruits, pear shaped to obovold, Is attractive, as is 
the deep maroon color which they assume upon ripening. 
They are of convenient size, about 12 ounces, and the 
flesh is yellow and of good quality. The seed is larger 
than in the best late varieties, but not unreasonably 
large. It Is tight in the cavity." (Popenoe.) 
Pyrus calleryana (Malaceae) , 45592. Wild pear. From 
China. Collected by Mr. Frank N. Meyer, Agricultural 
Explorer for this Department. "(No. 2453a. Kingmeny 
Hupeh, China. October 1917.) Over 100 pounds of seed 
of a small-fruited wild pear which has proven to be 
highly resistant, but not totally immune to fire- 
blight in the innoculatlon experiments of Professor 
F. C. Reimer at Talent, Oregon. This pear grows in a 
variety of habitats, as at the edges of ponds, in dense 
thickets, on rocky mountain slopes, 'in crevices, etc. 
It is used by. the Chinese as a stock for improved pears, 
and seems to make a good union. When left alone it 
grows into a large tree reaching an old age. Where 
this pear occurs around Kingmen, Pyrus betulaefolia also 
is found and, since it resembles P. calleryana to a strik- 
ing degree, it is impossible, when collecting a large 
number of fruits, to keep it out entirely. There is, 
therefore a certain percentage of seed of this pear 
mixed with that of P . calleryana . As P. betulaefolia is high- 
ly susceptible to blight, rogueing in the seed beds or 
nursery plantings of P. calleryana should be carefully 
done. To Insure pure seeds for future stock purposes, 
groves should be set dut here and there, away from 
other species and varieties of pears , so as to minimize 
