TH E 



Canadian Hokticultukist. 



Vol. XX. 



1897. 



No. 



HEURRE CLAIRGEAU. 



i]S a commercial pear, es- 

 pecially for a distant 

 market, we know of no 

 variety of the same sea- 

 son that is superior to 

 this variety. Its large, 

 size, and the beautiful cheek which it 

 takes on during the month of October, 

 its excellent shipping and keeping quali- 

 ties, all these combine to make it a pro- 

 fitable variety, and one that is easily 

 grown, either as a dwarf or standard, 

 though usually large and fine sized as 

 the former. The quality is variable 

 according to conditions of growth ; in 

 France it is counted first quality ; in 

 England, third quality ; with us, when 

 well ripened, it is second rate. 



Origin — Nantes, in France, with a 

 gardener named Clairgeau, about 1834. 

 Tree — Y'ust class in vigor, hardiness 

 and productiveness ; wood stout, and 

 upright in habit of growth ; branches 

 numerous, gro>vn as a dwarf can be 



plj^- 



trained to make a fine pyramid ; an 

 early bearer. 



Fruit — Large, 4J2 inches long by 3^;? 

 inches in width, one sided, pyriform^ 

 skin green, turning pale yellow ■ at 

 maturity, almost overspread with splj 

 ings and dots of russet, which 

 pletely covers it about the stalk ^M 

 about the calyx ; orange red on sunny 

 side ; stalk, 3^ inch long, stout, fleshy 

 at the base, usually set at an angle with 

 the axis ; calyx small, open, in a shallow 

 furrowed basin. 



/7e'^//— White, coarse grained, juicy, 

 with sweet, aromatic and vinous flavor. 



Season — October to January. 



Value — Home or foreign market, first 

 rate. 



Quality — Cooking, good ; dessert, 

 second rate. 



Adaptation — Succeeds admirably as 

 far north as Thornbury : and east as far 

 as Prescott. 



397 



