PEARS. 473 



a half high, and two inches and three-quarters wide ; pyriform. Skin, 

 yellowish green, becoming brighter at maturity. Eye, small, with 

 dowoy segments, placed in a slightly depressed basin. Stalk, three- 

 quarters of an inch long, slender, curved, swollen at the point of 

 junction with the fruit, and inserted in a slight cavity. Flesh, white, 

 fine-grained, juicy, agreeably flavoured, sweet, and perfumed. 



A dessert pear, ripe in November and December. The tree is very 

 vigorous in its growth, and healthy ; it forms a handsome pyramid, 

 and is well adapted for a standard. 



This variety was raised by M. Douillard, jun., architect, of Nantes, and first 

 produced fruit in 1849. 



ALEXANDRINE MAS. Fruit, medium sized, three inches wide, 

 and three and a half long ; pyriform, often ventricose, irregular and 

 bossed in its outline. Skin, thick, firm, of a clear bright green, 

 regularly strewed with an immense number of dark brown dots ; occa- 

 sionally it has a little russet in the basin of the eye, and sometimes a 

 few spots on the base of the fruit ; when it ripens the ground becomes 

 straw-coloured and somewhat golden on the side next the sun, where 

 there is rarely a shade of brown-red. Eye, small, closed, with thick 

 short erect segments placed in a narrow and rather deep cavity. Stalk, 

 short, very stout, and unusually thick at the ends. Flesh, whitish, 

 quite melting although rather firm, juicy, rich, sugary, and perfumed 

 like the Passe Colmar. 



A very excellent late pear, in use during April and May. The tree 

 succeeds well on the quince, and it makes a good standard when grown 

 on the pear stock. It requires a very warm situation to have the fruit 

 properly ripened, and in this country it will require the protection of a 

 wall. 



This valuable late pear was raised from seed of Passe Calmar in 1850 by ray 

 esteemed friend, the late M. A. Mas, of Buurg (Ain), President of the Socic-tt- 

 Poinologique of France, and was named in honour of Madame Mas. 



ALPHA. Fruit, medium sized ; obovate, inclining to oblong. Skin, 

 smooth, pale yellowish green on the shaded side, and pale brown, 

 dotted with minute reddish dots, on the side exposed to the sun. 

 Eye, open, with short rigid segments, and set in a round basin. Stalk, 

 an inch long, not deeply inserted. Flesh, white, tender, buttery, and 

 pleasantly flavoured. 



A dessert pear, of second-rate quality ; ripe in October. The tree is 

 an excellent bearer, and succeeds well as a standard, grows with 

 moderate vigour on the quince, and does not form a good pyramid. 

 It is better adapted for a standard or half-standard. It was raised by 

 Dr. Van Mons. 



ALPHONSE KARR. Fruit, about medium size, two inches and 

 a half wide and about the same high ; roundish ovate, even and regular 

 in its outline, pinched in towards the stalk. Skin, entirely covered 

 with a crust of cinnamon russet. Eye, very small and open, set 



