Kieffer’seedling
Kieffer’seedling is mainly distributed in Western Georgia, Abkhasia and all over the Black sea coast. In other districts are met only single trees of this sort. It is introduced quite recently and has acquired commercial importance precisely in Western Georgia thanks to its greater resistance to scab and other fungus diseases than that manifested by other pears.
The fruit is of medium size, seldom large, spindle-shaped, sometimes ribbed in the higher part, in appearance reminding of the quince.
Skin smooth, when fully ripe of a golden yellow colour, sometimes blushed on the sunny side. Very attractive. Flesh yellowish, rough, with a high content of tannins, having a turpentine smell and back-taste. Fruit ripen in October and keep till December. They are seldom used fresh, being very good for canning.
The tree has a vigorous growth, though is sensitive to Spring frosts and not hardy to winter temperatures. Blooming early, flowers self-sterile; bearing early; productivity heavy. Kieffer’s seedling does not succeed on the quince, requiring intermediate grafting.
It is certainly a valuable commercial sort for humid regions and for the canning industry zones of Georgia.
