VARIETIES OF PEARS 



295 



Fig. 



116. Mount 

 Vernon. 



456. Mount Vernon (Fig. 116). — The top shape and red 

 dish-russet color make this a unique pear 

 in appearance, and the greenish-yellow, 

 granular, spicy, piquant flesh constitute 

 very distinct characters in the quality of 

 the fruits. Lack of uniformity in shape 

 and small size are the chief defects. The tree 

 is vigorous but has a small dense head with 

 numerous short stocky branches, many of 

 which droop, the aspect given the top by these 

 peculiarities being quite distinct. The va- 

 riety is worthy when a winter pear is wanted 

 whether for home or market. Mount Vernon 

 originated from a chance seedling in the gar- 

 den of Samuel Walker, Roxbury, Massachusetts, about 1847. 



Tree large, vigorous, spreading, with many drooping branches, dense- 

 topped, hardy, productive, long-lived. Fruit late October and November; 

 medium in size, 2^ inches long, 2% inches wide, uniform in size, oblong- 

 pyriform, with unequal sides; stem 1 inch long, thick, usually curved; 

 cavity obtuse, shallow and narrow, russeted, furrowed, often heavily lipped; 

 calyx open; lobes short, narrow, acuminate; basin narrow, obtuse, smooth, 

 symmetrical; skin granular, roughened by russet, dull; color light russet 

 overspreading a greenish -yellow ground, with a brownish-red blush on the 

 exposed cheek, dotted and netted with russet; dots numerous, small, russet, 

 obscure; flesh with a faint tinge of yellow, granular, tender and melting, 

 juicy, sweet, aromatic; quality good to very good; core large, closed, with 

 clasping core-lines; calyx-tube short, wide, conical; seeds variable in size, 

 wide, long, plump, acute, many abortive. 



457. Duchesse d'Angouleme (Fig. 117). 

 Angoideme. — The fruits of Duchesse d'An- 

 gouleme excite admiration by their enormous 

 size. They may be known by their size, squat 

 pyriform shape, and uneven knobby surface. 

 AVell grown, the flesh is melting with a rich 

 flavor ; but poorly grown, and on unfavorable 

 soils, the flesh is coarse-grained and nearly 

 devoid of the richness that characterizes the 

 fruits in happier situations. The trees are 

 vigorous, hardy and healthy, bear abundantly 

 under favorable conditions, and succeed either as standards or 



Fig. 117, Duchesse 

 D'Angouleme. 



