Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-10-04
The Ripening OF Pears.

Our friend an correspondent, X. j. Black,
Esq, of Bremen, Ohio, who is an expert
enced fruit grower, contributes to the New
York Examiner good article on the above
named topic which will be Of value to many
of our readers who are attempting to grow
pears. And, by the way, we should be glad
to have any Of our readers who are expert
menting with this fruit give us their expe-
rience in regard to the best sorts, their cul-
ture, etc.
"Nearly all the fine pears are improved
by ripening in the house. Especially is
this the case with the summer varieties. A
pear which, if left on the tree until fully
ripe, is merely passable, when ripened in a
drawer or box, beyond the influence of light
and currents of air, not only becomes much
finer in quality, but acquires depth and
delicacy of coloring not otherwise attain
able. The beautiful pinkish.scarlet blush
on the clear, pale yellow of the Howell,
which makes it so attractive to the eye, is
never brought out so perfectly if left on the
tree till softening begins. Bartlett, Tyson,
Brandywine, Summer Doyenne, etc. are all
improved in color as well as quality by this
process; and even the sober-coated Ros-
tiezer and Kirkland receive tinge of beauty
and higher flavor.
Some excellent varieties have the one
fault of rotting at the core SO that while
appearing all right they are nearly or quite
unfit for food. This can generally be con-
trolled by picking early, and ripening in the
house. 1t must be remembered, however,
that such varieties will need close watching.
Clapp's Favorite, one of the finest summer
pears, is affected this way but if properly
cared for, and used at the right time, its
value is scarcely, if at all, lessened.
"Some varieties possess the remarkable
property Of ripening if taken off the tree
when but half grown. This is the case with
the well.known Bartlett. As a consequence,
the windfalls of this sort need never be
thrown away.
The right time for gathering is when
the seeds begin to color, and while the fruit
is still hard, or yields to the pressure of flu
ger and thumb only in the slightest degree.
Other indications are the parting of the
stem of the fruit from the tree without
much effort when it is taken hold Of, and
the dropping of the premature specimens
The latter is usually the first sign; and
though it may not be best to pick at once,
it will not be well to delay very long. In
all the handling, care must be taken to pre-
vent bruising, which would soon produce rot.
Gathering the fruit before softening is
of special advantage in shipping. The
pears are packed as closely as possible in
barrels, half-barrels, or boxes (as may be
desirable), wrapping each specimen if the
fruit is extra fine in soft paper, or If not
of the very highest quality emitting the
paper. In this condition they will carry
any reasonable distance and reach the dealer
in time for him to watch the ripening pro
cess, selecting and dsposing of the ripe
ones from time to time. And since 'ripen.
ing is the beginning of decay it is wise
to make use of the ripe fruit as soon as
possible.
The late-keeping varieties, Vicar ol
Winfield, Beurre d'Anjou, Dana's Hovey
Winter Nelis, etc., do best when picked
before the early trosts, and kept as cool as
may be without freezing; bringing few
at time into warm room, where the higher
temperature will hasten the ripening, and
bring the fruit to the proper condition in &
few days.
"One other thing is important: pear
to ripen well, must have been well grown
Overbearing and starvation must be pro
vided against. Some sorts will ripen fairl,
under quite unfavorable circumstances bu
some others in such cases will fail to ripel
at all, while others will hardly ripen will
the very best attention. The latter, how
ever, are but few, and pretty well know
now, so that planters can avoid them. Chic
among these are Easter Beurre and Beurr
d d'Aremberg. Fortunately the list of fine
reliable varieties to select from is larg
one, and for all seasons except late winte
and spring; while strong hopes are enter
tanned that several of the newer introdut
tions may fill this comparative void"