AMERICA’S BEST : One Pair’s Pears : Harry and David

Medford, Ore. 97501-0713

(800) 547-3033

Check, Money Order, Visa, MC, AE, DC Add $2.95 shipping and handling for each item For Federal Express service, add $6.95 per item When Harry and David Holmes took over the family business in 1914, Bear Creek Orchards was already famous. They shipped their pears to the best hotels in Europe, where they were prized for their size and quality. Then the Depression came along and put an end to their export market. Faced with going out of business, the Holmes family decided to try and sell their Royal Rivera pears by mail.

Today Harry and David offers a whole range of fruits, bakery and gift items, including the Fruit-of-the-Month Club. But it’s those peerless pears that are still their pride. Large and lush and juicy, they are just about perfect. A pear, a wedge of good Swiss cheese and a hunk of great bread makes a swell meal. These pears, however, are pricey; they cost about $2.50 apiece. A box of 8 to 12 (depending on size) costs $21.95. You can also join the Royal Riviera Pear Club--three months of pears at $59.95 or six biweekly deliveries for $115.95. Pears are available Oct. 20 to Jan. 15 and can be shipped to all 50 states.