I found a recipe that I think is the one my mother used. We had 2 pear trees. She always called them "Cooking Pears". In the recipe always use 2 cups of pears to 1 cup sugar. She layered pears then sprinkled sugar over them in a big pot, kind of like a dutch oven. Then another layer of pears and sugar and another until the pan was not quite full. (Seems like she would layer the pears and let them stay in the frig overnight.) Pour water in the pan that covers the pears and cook on high until a full boil is reached. Then lower fire to a slow boil. Cook until the juice seems right - kind of a reddish brown. Then can in jars while still hot and seal.