B.C. PEARS. | One of Canada’s Most — Delicious and Healthful Fruits. No fruit produced in British Columbia requires such careful and correct growing and handling as do pears. Constant study with resultant improvement in orchard practices and cold storage handling, coupled with geographical advantages has made it possible for the Okanagan and Kootenay Valley of B. C. to produce and market pears of quality unsurpassed anywhere in the world. Varieties and Seasons BARTLETT pears are the earliest var- iety from British Columbia. They are clear yellow when ripe with a faint blush on the exposed cheek, more or less dotted with russet. The flesh is of good quality and makes excellent canning fruit. FLEMISH BEAUTY pears, which im- mediately follow Bartletts on the market, have a smooth green skin and are short and plump. They have a good flavour but are not as fine-grained as the Bart- lett. They are slightly lower in price. Flemish Beauty pears are suitable for eating as well as canning. D’ANJOU pears are a distinct type for late fall and early winter use, keeping in perfect condition well into the spring in cold storage. Large and uniform, the yellowish white flesh is firm but tender, very juicy, sweet and spicy with rich flavor. Of all winter pears this is the king. Test for Maturity Pears do not ripen on the trees. If left on the trees, they turn soft in the centre and finally drop off. They must be picked while slightly green and stored for a period before they ripen. Here is the test for a RIPE PEAR. A ripe pear is slippery to peel. When you are peeling pears and they keep slipping out of your hands, you have pears that _have flavor and are right for canning. The proper degree of maturity cannot be over-emphasized. If your pears seem a little green, store them for a few days. Watch them carefully, as they start to soften on the inside without showing any signs of spoiling on the outside. Canning B.C. Pears | Peel the pears, cut in halves and remove the cores. Cut in quarters if desired. Put in a pan of water (to prevent discolora- tion) until ready to pack into the jars. Pack in hot sterilized jars. See canning instructions on pages 2 to 5. PEAR SALADS 1. Eat fresh fruit while in season. Com- bine fresh pears with other fresh fruits to make delicious fruit salads. 2. When canning, leave some pears in halves for winter salads. To serve, place the half pear on shredded cabbage and fill with cottage cheese. Garnish with grated raw carrot. 3. Also when canning, cut some pears into small pieces, so that they can be used in combination with other fruits for winter salads. PEAR PIES Follow the same steps as in making apple pies. Prepare the pastry and cut the peeled pears into thin slices and con- tinue as for anple pie. PICKLED PEARS 3 cups vinegar 1 cup water 2/3 pound brown sugar % cup mixed whole spices 7 pounds B.C. pears Boil the vinegar, water and sugar for 10 to 15 minutes, with the spices tied in a small cheesecloth bag. Select pears that are uniform and firm. Peel and stick whole cloves into pears, if desired, Cook slowly in the syrup until tender. Pour into hot sterilized jars. Seal and store. Page Twelve