14 THE VAN MONS LEON LECLERC PEAR. 



nate this pear, the triumph of their mutual pursuit, and called it the Van 

 Mons Leon Leclerc pear. 



Mr. Rene Langlier, a nurseryman of eminence in Jersey, one of the 

 islands in the British Channel, obtained the whole stock from Mr. Leon 

 Leclerc, and distributed it, at first at very high prices ; it has now, how- 

 ever, become pretty well disseminated. It fruited probably about the year 

 1835 or '36 and was introduced here direct from Mr. Laugher's estabhsh- 

 ment about 1840. There has scarcely been time, therefore, for sufficient 

 experience in its cultivation to state with precision the soil and methods 

 best suited to it. The fine specimens exhibited in the Hall of the Society 

 have unquestionably been produced by good cultivation, nor is it probable 

 that a poor soil would be adapted to so fine a produce. 



This fruit has the singular property, just after setting, of having a 

 slightly wrinkled appearance, as if it would shrivel and drop off; but this 

 gradually leaves it and the pear swells and comes to maturity. 



Scions come into bearing in about three years ; they succeed admirably 

 on qumce as Avell as on pear stocks, and form an upright symmetrical 

 head. 



