PEARS. 667 



but the Bon Chretien d'Auch of Calvel is a very different fruit, and appears to 

 me, from his description, to have a close affinity to Williams's Bon Chretien. 



The Winter Bon Chretien seems to be the type of this class. Various opinions 

 have been expressed as to the origin of the name of Bon Chretien, one of which 

 is that Francois de Paul, the founder of the Minimes, being called to the court of 

 Louis XI. for the recovery of his health, was styled by that monarch " le bon 

 Chretien," and that he brought along with him from Calabria some of the fruit of 

 the pear now called Winter Bon Chretien ; what is said to be there grown in great 

 quantity. Munting seriously affirms that the pear appears to have received its 

 name at the beginning of Christianity, and that from this title it merits the respect 

 of all Christian gardeners. Another opinion is, that St. Martin, Bishop of Tours, 

 was the first who obtained this variety, and that a King of France having tasted it 

 with him, asked, when it was presented to him, for " Des poires de ce bon Chretien." 

 But perhaps the most probable derivation is from the Greek panchresta, from was 

 (all), and XPTJSIS (good), and of which the Chrustumium of the Romans may also 

 be a derivation, Switzer says they are so called from not rotting at the heart, 

 but beginning from the exterior part. 



WINTER FRANC REAL (Fin Or d' Hirer; Franc Real d' Hirer; 

 Gros Micet). Fruit, medium sized ; obovate, irregularly shaped, and 

 uneven in its outline. Skin, pale green at first, changing as it ripens 

 to a beautiful lemon-yellow, and strewed with light brownish red next 

 the sun, marked over the whole surface with bright patches and 

 markings of russet. Eye, open, set in a round depression, from which 

 issue several ribs, which extend half-way over the fruit. Stalk, an 

 inch long, inserted in a deep cavity somewhat like an apple. Flesh, 

 yellowish, coarse-grained, juicy, musky, and of an aromatic and sweet 

 flavour, and when stewed becomes tender and of a fine light bright 

 purple colour. 



An excellent stewing pear ; in use from January to March. The 

 tree is vigorous and hardy, and an abundant bearer. Succeeds well as 

 a standard, either on the pear or quince. The young shoots are 

 thickly covered with white down and mealy powder, purple brownish 

 red and thickly dotted. 



The Franc Real of Duhamel is larger, round, and greenish, becoming yellow as 

 it ripens, and marked with dots and small patches of russet. Eye, small, slightly 

 depressed. Stalk, three-quarters of an inch long, inserted without any depression. 

 Young wood yellowish green, dotted, and mealy ; ripe in October and November. 



Winter Green. See Beryamotte de Hollande. 



WINTER NELIS (Beurre de Malines ; Bonne Malinaise ; Bonne 

 de Malines; Colmar Nelis ; Etoumeau ; Malinoise Cuvelier ; Nelis 

 (V Hirer). Fruit, below medium size ; roundish obovate, narrowing 

 abruptly towards the stalk. Skin, dull green at first, changing 

 to yellowish green, covered with numerous russety dots and patches 

 of brown russet, particularly on the side next the sun. Eye, open, 

 with erect rigid segments, set in a shallow depression. Stalk, from an 

 inch to an inch and a half long, curved, and set in a narrow cavity. 

 Flesh, yellowish, fine-grained, buttery, and melting, with a rich, sugary, 

 and vinous flavour, and a fine aroma. 



One of the richest flavoured pears. It is in use from November 



