Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1913-09-12
PEAR PRODUCTION
IS NOWHERE EQUAL
To MARKET DEMAND
Like Dairying, This Industry Of
fers Grower Assured Sale
of Product.
BEST VARIETIES TO GROW.
Bartlett Best for Summer-Shel-
ton Heads Fall Group-Anjou
Leads in Winter.

Where there is always a bigger de
mand for product than can be filled
there is always good money in it
whether you make that product or
grow it. THE WASHINGTON STANDARD
recently called attention to the fact
that only one-sixth of the butter used
in the state is home grown" so to
speak, and now it directs your atten.
tion to another field, the growing of
pears on commercial basis, to which
it has referred several times in the
past.
Recently an Oregon grower sold his
entire crop of 1900 boxes from IA acres
of pears to London and Liverpool fruit
dealers for $4,000. There is another
pear grower whose orchard is on one
of the islands in the Sound, whose an
nual output is contracted for early in
the spring. The fact is that at present
pear production Is nowhere equal to
the demand, though there are signs of
new enthusiasm in the way of plant
ing. Many of the sorts that have re-
Gently been sent out will not, however,
stand the test, either in quality or
hardness. At the same time many of
the best of the older sorts are worth.
less where the owners do not under
stand the pear problem.
Pear growing no longer has to con-
tend very seriously with the blight,
except in few localities. 1t is a dis
ease liable to break out. however,
whenever conditions are favorable.
Pear growers must understand that
the fruit has to be picked from five
to ten days before it becomes soft A
Clapp's Favorite rightly ripened is de-
licious, but ii left on the trees it will
rot at the core and will be flavorless.
A Bartlett ripened on the tree has
none of the characteristics which it at
tains II ripened in a dark room. Un.
fortunately most of the fruit that is
found in the market, unless shipped
from distance, has been ripened on
the trees. A few sorts will endure
this, like the Rastiezer and Tyson and
Onondaga; yet even these are the bet
ter for being spread in bins in cellars
for full week.
Il have grown nearly all of the va
rieties that are generally catalogued,
or that have been catalogued since
1885," says a writer in the Country
Gentleman, "and from my experience
should say that the pear tree endures
more neglect than the apple tree and
is tougher and longer lived. can
show you apple trees bearing at the
age Of 120 years, but can show you
pear trees bearing at twice that age.
For summer pears. either for home
use or for market, the Bartlett takes
precedence, followed closely by Clapp's
Favorite. rightly ripened, and Tyson.
You might add to these, If you have
room. the Margaret and Souvenir du
Congress. The Bartlett Is too we'll
known to need minute description. 1t
bears very young and very heavily,
and the tree needs abundant food. Its
popularity for dessert use Is fully
equalled by its popularity as cooking
pear.
"Clapp's Favorite Is shaped some
thlng like a Bartlett, but Is rather
larger, and ripens a few days earlier
Inc tree Is hardy and a vigorous grow.
er, but inclined to send out long limbs,
which 1t overloads with fruit. The
Bartlett is generally more compact
and erect.
The Tyson is a good grower, but
very slow in coming into bearing
When 1t begins to bear you will find il
Is always much inclined to overload
ing. Thin the fruit even If the tree
can hold it. The quality is delicious
ana the size Is between medium and
'arge-that Is. II thinned. The Mar
e"ret is rather small, juicy and OF
hrst quality. You will get all of these
varieties in August except the Bart
'e''' and you will probably find it de
s'raole to pick the Bartlett about the
last or August or the first of Septem
ber
"A group of pears of the highest
rank ripening in September and Oc
Continued on page 2.)