PEARS. 507 



segments, set in a shallow depression. Stalk, slender, an inch and a 

 quarter long, inserted in a small round cavity. Flesh, white, fine- 

 grained, crisp, and juicy, with somewhat of a Muscat or Elder-flower 

 perfume. 



A first-rate cooking pear, in use from October to November. The 

 tree is vigorous, and a good bearer in rich soil, and succeeds well as a 

 standard. 



It was discovered early in the seventeenth century in the forest of Hery, in 

 Brittany, between Rennes and Nantes. Mollet, writing in 1652, says, " This variety 

 came recently from Brittany. The Bretons give it the name of Behidc-IIc'ry, signi- 

 fying the Pear of Henry ; for when King Henry the Great, of happy memory, 

 travelled into Brittany to reduce the inhabitants to subjection, when he was at 

 Nantes he sent me to see a garden which is near Nantes, called Chassee. Imme- 

 diately after I had arrived at Nantes the gentlemen of Rennes sent a basket of 

 fruit to his Majesty.'* 



Besidery. See Dcsi d'Henj. 

 Besi de Ladry. Sec AV/if/.s.sr/-//. 



BESI MAI. Fruit, large, obovate, rather uneven and irregular in 

 its outline. Skin, yellowish green at maturity, covered with fawn and 

 brown dots. Eye, open, placed in a very shallow basin, scarcely at all 

 depressed. Stalk, an inch and a quarter long, inserted in a round 

 narrow cavity. Flesh, white, and, when the fruit is thoroughly ripe, 

 somewhat buttery, sweet, and richly flavoured. . 



,A good dessert pear when it ripens, which is not very often. It 

 generally comes into use in May. 



This was raised by M. J. de Jonghe, of Brussels. It first fruited in 1856, when 

 the tree was eleven years old ; and in 1858 he sent me a fruit which in May was 

 very tender, buttery, and of excellent flavour. I have never found it to ripen well 

 in this country. Mr. Blackmore says " it is fit for a nether millstone." 



BESI DE MONTIGNY (De Montigny; Beurre Cullem ; Comtesse 

 de Litnay ; Doyenne Musque ; Louis Bosc). Fruit, medium sized, 

 obovate. Skin, thin, smooth, and shining, bright green at first, but 

 changing to bright yellow as it attains maturity, covered with numerous 

 clear brown dots, and with a patch of russet round the stalk. Eye, 

 small and open, with reflexed segments, set in a slight depression almost 

 level with the surface. Stalk, three-quarters of an inch long, stout, 

 fleshy, and obliquely inserted by the side of a fleshy swelling. Flesh, 

 white, slightly gritty, very tender, buttery, and melting, with a pleasant 

 sugary and finely perfumed flavour. 



A dessert pear ; ripe in October. The tree is a good bearer, and 

 succeeds well as a standard either on the pear or quince. 



BESI DE LAMOTTE (Bein Armudi; Beurre Blanc de Jersey; 

 D'Aumale ; De la Motte). Fruit, medium sized, roundish turbinate. 

 Skin, yellowish green, thickly covered with brown russety dots. Eye, 

 small and open, set in a shallow depression. Stalk, an inch long, 

 inserted in a small round shallow cavity. Flesh, white, fine-grained, 

 melting, and buttery, with a rich sugary and perfumed flavour. 



