Pear Information
The pear is fruit tree of the genus Pyrus of the family Rosaceae (rose
family) and for its fruit, a pome. The common pear (P. communis ) is
one of the earliest cultivated of fruit trees, both in its native W
Asia and in Europe. Most of the pear strains grown for their sweet and
juicy fruit are varieties of P. communis or of its hybrids with other
species of Pyrus usually P. pyrifolia, known as the Japanese, Chinese,
or sand pear and indigenous to China. The main use of the sand pear
today is as a rootstock in pear orchards; the related quince is used
for the same purpose. Pear strains with fruit of really good eating
quality were not developed until the 18th and 19th cent. in N Europe,
whence almost all the present successful varieties (e.g., the Bartlett
and Seckel) grown in the United States, chiefly on the Pacific coast,
were directly imported. European production is far greater especially
in Germany, France, and Switzerland, where much of the crop is used
for making pear cider (perry). Pears are also cultivated on a large
scale in Japan, Turkey, Argentina, and Australia. They are usually sold
fresh or canned; some are dried. Several varieties of the common pear
and of other speciese.g., the small, white-foliaged snow pear ( P. nivalis)are
cultivated as ornamentals, and pear wood, hard and dense, is used to
a limited extent in cabinetmaking. The pear tree and its fruit are similar
to the closely related apple (considered by some botanists to be of
the same genus) in characteristics and in method of cultivation, but
the tree is somewhat less hardy and the fruit more perishable. Pear
or fire blight is the tree's most serious disease; it is also attacked
by several insect pests. Pears are classified in the division Magnoliophyta
, class Magnoliopsida, order Rosales, family Rosaceae.
Clapps Favorite
Medium to large, smooth, very uniform. Yellow-green often with attractive
pale red blush. Flavor good, juicy, crisp, and sweet. Ripens well on
the tree for fresh eating. Pick early for storage to prevent breakdown.
Ripens late August.
Aurora
High quality attractive dessert pear which ripens just before BARTLETT.
The fruit is large and has a regular pear shape. It is bright yellow
lightly overlaid with russet, and frequently is slightly blushed. The
flesh is smooth, melting, and juicy, and the flavor sweet and aromatic.
The fruit will keep well in cold storage until December. The tree is
vigorous and spreading.
Bartlett
Favorite pear for canning and fresh fruit. The fruit normally is of
large size, has a smooth and attractive appearance. Tender, juicy, buttery
and of high dessert quality. Excellent for home use on dwarf rootstock.
Ripens late August to early September.
Delicious
One of the best pears for the home fruit grower. Disease resistant.
Pears have golden skin and white flesh. Ripens early September. Excellent
dried.
Gorham
A BARTLETT type pear, picked ten to fourteen days later. Keeps well
in cold storage.
Highland
A very high quality dessert pear which is normally picked four weeks
after BARTLETT. It develops better quality if stored about a month before
ripening, and will keep in refrigerated storage until January. The fruit
is large, fairly smooth, pyriform in shape, and yellow covered with
light russet. The flesh is melting, juicy, nearly smooth in texture.
The flavor is sweet and rich. The tree is moderately vigorous and productive.
Season; early October.
Conference
Medium large, slightly long fruit. Smooth green skin tinted with russet.
Excellent keeper, high quality dessert pear, firm and sweet.
Comice
Very firm large French butter-type winter pear. Needs a month of storage
for ripening; stores well until Christmas. Does well in Western Washington.
Season: Early to mid October.
El Dorado
Medium to large fruit, lumpy surface; yellow-green even when ripe. Very
long storage life, keeps until January-February. Quality very good to
excellent, sweet, smooth, melting. Also good canning. Pick about mid-October.
Anjou, Atlantic Queen, Beurre Gifford, Bosc, Dumont, Harrow Delight,
Kalle, Magness, Orcas, Passe Grassane, Rescue, Rogue Red, Sierra, Sirrine,
Worden Seckel.
