THE VAN MONS LEON LECLERC PEAR. 



SYNONYMS. 



Louise Bonne de Boulogne, I i --, , 



„ ^ /■of some French Catalogues. 



Poire Celestine, ) 



CHARACTERS. 



Form. — Oblong ovate, pyiiform ; sometimes resembles Monsieur le Cure. 



Calyx. — Well defined, open, much expanded, in a shallow depression ; segments 

 large, broad, flat. 



Stem. — Moderately strong, about an inch and a half long, inserted obliquely in a 

 very slight depression. 



Color. — Yellowish green, slightly marked with russet in small irregular streaks, 

 particularly near the stem. 



Skin. — Slightly rough. 



Flesh. — Yellowish white, very buttery and melting. 



Flavor. — Rich saccharine, slightly subacid, highly flavored, perfumed. 



Maturity and Use. — October and November — Dessert. 



Size. — Diameter from calyx to stem 4)^ to 4% inches. 

 Do. across 2J^ to 3}^ do. 



Wood. — Two and three years old light silvery grey, of a greenish olive color, with 

 light spots ; rather inclines to canker. 



Leaf. — Narrow oblong ovate, acuminate, often attenuated towards the point ; margin 

 widely and obtusely serrate ; serratures very shallow, and in the earlier 

 leaves often so faintly developed as to escape observation. 



Bud and Blossom. — Bud pointed ; clusters of blossoms lax, seven to nine blossoms 

 in each ; petals with a long claw, medium size, slightly cupped. 



HISTORY AND CULTIVATION. 



It is not now necessary to enter into the statements of the errors well 

 known to have occurred during the early dissemination of this magnificent 

 fruit, particularly as the pear with which it has been confounded is too 

 worthless for general cultivation. Its authentic history is as follows : 



It was raised from seed by Mr. Leon Leclerc, of Laval, celebrated for 

 his practical knowledge of Horticulture. Wishing to do honor to the first 

 pomologist of the age, Van Mons, he associated the two names to desig- 



