In my area near the center of Alabama, fireblight is rampant on none resistant apples and pears. My father-in law planted three pear trees that were available locally. Bartlett, Kieffer, and Orient. As soon as the Bartlett bloomed it started declining until it died. The Kieffer had pretty good resistance and later started producing a fair quality pear. The Orient pear in my area has outstanding disease resistance and bears early large pears. The Orient has become my family�s pear of choice. It is outstanding. No antibiotic needed. The picture is from 04 24 2014 Orient pear loaded with bagged fruit. It survived 26 degrees while in full bloom.