THE PEAR TREE ] 221 



resembles that of the Angelica of Rome in size and 

 appearance, but is more plump, and the flesh is yellowish 

 white, floury, sweet, and faintly acidulous and perfumed. 

 Should be cut at the close of September and matures in 

 October. Keeps badly. 



33. BARTLLET DESCHAMPS. The tree is rather 

 dwarf, but well productive, and resistant to the tree 

 borers. The fruit is borne singly or in clusters of two or 

 three. It is large or very large, perfectly pear-shaped, 

 smooth, with a thick and slightly depressed stalk. The 

 colour is greenish yellow, streaked rose, and flush pink 

 towards the sun. The flesh is white, half-melting, juicy, 

 sweet, with a pleasant vinous and aromatic flavour. 

 Should be gathered in the third or fourth week of 

 September, and matures in October, but keeps well into 

 November or December. It is a fine fruit for the 

 amateur, and grows best in cordons, but not in full 

 sunshine. 



34. OTTOBRINA or DUCHESSA TA MALTA. This 

 is probably an ancient local pear, similar to the old 

 Calabasse, but distinct from it. The tree is vigorous and 

 attains a fine size. It is well productive, in weight if not 

 in numbers. The fruit is very large or enormous, com- 

 monly weighing \ kilog. and over, and is shaped like a 

 Duchesse d'Angouleme, with an irregular and rough skin. 

 The colour is light green or green, dotted brown, and 

 heavily blotched or marbled dark fawn or rust. The flesh 

 is white or greenish white, very juicy, often somewhat 

 fibrous, but sweet and well perfumed. This pear is still 

 grown occasionally for the market, for which it is 

 singularly unsuitable on account of its bulk and unattrac- 

 tive appearance. 



35. DUCHESSE D'ANGOULEME. The tree is middling 

 in size, but vigorous and productive in shaded situations 

 or along a northern wall. In full sunshine it is dwarfed, 

 and becomes unproductive. The fruit is large or very 

 large, bell-shaped, with a short and thick stalk, nearly 



