North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Kieran &/or Donna" <holycow@frontiernet.net>]

I read that U of Tenn planted 35,000 pear seeds in 1934, and released 7 pear trees from those crosses.  Mind you, it's a lot easier if you aren't after something as difficult as a good quality blight resistant pear.  And of course with hardiness, you can plant a lot of seeds and let nature take it's course.  Donna