The New Student's Reference Work/Pear

Pear, a species of Pirus (P. communis) cultivated from Europe, a member of the rose family. It is associated in the same genus with the apple and quince. The tree in form inclines to the pryamidal, otherwise it resembles the apple. The flowers as a rule are white. The peculiarity of the fruit is that the flesh consists of the transformed cup, upon whose rim the sepals, petals and stamens arise. It is often spoken of as the calyx, but it represents a support common to all three of the outer floral organs. This type of fruit, with flesh developed from the part of the flower which surrounds the ovary, is called a pome. The ripened ovary is represented by the core. The pear has been cultivated from the most ancient times, and has reached a high degree of perfection. It is highly regarded as a dessert fruit, and is extensively canned and preserved. It holds fourth place among our orchard-fruits. Particular attention is paid to cultivation in the regions between New England and the Great Lakes, in California and in portions of Oregon and Washington. Almost innumerable varieties have been produced, each with its appropriate name. In a wild or neglected state the branches are more or less thorny, but under cultivation the thorns disappear. For a parasitic fungus that attacks both fruit and foliage Bordeaux mixture is recommended. Borers and the codlin moth are insect enemies that work some damage; the former must be dug out once or twice a year, for the latter arsenical sprays should be used. See Bailey's Cyclopedia of American Horticulture.