PEARS. 661 



and placed on the opposite side of the axis from the stalk. Stalk, an 

 inch and a half long, slender, obliquely inserted without depression, 

 with frequently a fleshy swelling at the base. Flesh, white, fine- 

 grained, half-melting, juicy and sweet, with a musky aroma. 



A handsome pear, which in warm seasons, or when grown against a 

 wall, is melting, but it is not worth growing. It is also a pretty good 

 stewing pear ; in use from November till January. 



In 1760 this was found growing wild in a wood called Fromentau by M. Leroy, 

 Cure of Villiers-en-Brenne, a parish situate eight kilometres from CHon, in the 

 department of the Indre. lie propagated it, and it was soon dispersed under no 

 less than sixteen different names throughout its native country. Eventually it was 

 introduced from France by Rev. W. L. Kham, the Vicar of Winkfield, in Berkshire, 

 and from this circumstance it obtained the name it now bears. 



VICOMTE DE SPOELBERGH (De Spoetteryh). Fruit, medium 

 sized, two inches and three-quarters wide, and three inches high ; 

 turbinate, very uneven and bossed in its outline, being considerably 

 ribbed and undulating. Skin, smooth, pale straw coloured, sprinkled 

 with green dots and patches of russet. Eye, large, half open, set 

 almost level with the surface. Stalk, an inch and a quarter long, 

 inserted without depression, and frequently fleshy at the base, where 

 it swells out into the apex of the fruit. Flesh, yellowish, buttery 

 and melting, juicy, with a sweet, rich, sprightly flavour and a musky 

 aroma. 



A good, though not a first-rate pear; ripe in November, but not 

 worth cultivating. 



It was raised by Van Mons, and named after Vicomte de Spoelbergh, who lived 

 at Lovenjoul, in Belgium. 



Vigne de Pelone. See Fiyue de Naples. 



VINEUSE. Fruit, medium sized, two inches and three-quarters 

 long, and two and a half wide ; obovate. Skin, smooth, pale straw- 

 colour, with slight markings of very thin brown russet, interspersed 

 with minute green dots, and with a patch of pale brown russet in the 

 basin of the eye. Eye, open, frequently abortive, set in a shallow 

 depression. Stalk, short and fleshy, inserted in a deep, narrow cavity. 

 Flesh, yellowish white, exceedingly tender, melting, and very juicy, of 

 a honied sweetness and fine delicate perfume. 



A delicious and richly flavoured pear ; ripe in the end of September 

 and beginning of October. 



Kaised by Major Esperen, of Malines, in 1840. 



VIRGOULEUSE (Bujaleuf ; Climnlrette ; De Glace). Fruit, large, 

 and pyriform, rounded towards the eye and tapering thickly towards 

 the stalk, assuming sometimes an ovate shape. Skin, smooth and 

 delicate, at first of a fine lively green, which changes as it ripens to a 

 beautiful pale lemon-yellow, with a faint trace of brownish red next the 

 sun, and strewed with numerous small grey dots and slight markings of 



