THE VAN MONS LE ON LE CLERC PEAR. 



Van Mons Le^on le Clekc, Gard. Mag., vol. xv., p 579. 



Poire de Boulogne, 1 



Celestin, \ of some French Collections. 



Louise Bonne de Boulogne, j 



No peai* of recent introduction has been heralded 

 with more praise than the Van Mons Leon le Clerc. 

 Some writers have called it the best pear in exist- 

 ence; wliile others, among whom was Van Mons, 

 have given it the highest rank among the numer- 

 ous varieties which have been produced. These 

 encomiums, however, have not been improperly be- 

 stowed, for its character has been fully maintained 

 since its introduction to American collections, not- 

 withstanding the last was rather an unfavorable 

 season for some varieties. It possesses the good 

 quahties of hai'diness, productiveness, and coming early into bearing; 

 and, notwithstanding the very large size of the fruit, it ripens off well, 

 attaining a rich and beautiful color, and comes in at a desirable season, 

 between the late fall and early winter varieties, when there is a scarcity 

 of first-rate pears. Viewing all its properties, it may be truly ranked 

 among the best which have yet enriched our collections. 



The Van Mons Leon le Clerc is stated to have been raised from seed 

 by M. Leon le Clerc, of Laval, France, and a full account of its origin 

 will be found in the Magazine of Horticulture, (vols. vi. p. 47, and vii. p. 

 285.) It was offered for sale, in the faU of 1838, by M. Langeher, of 

 Jersey, in whose hands M. le Clerc placed the entire stock. The supe- 

 riority of the specimens exhibited before the London Horticultural Soci- 

 ety, and the opinion of Mr. Thompson that its quahties were of "first- 

 rate excellence," created a great demand for the trees, which were 

 disposed of at a guinea each. 



The Leon le Clerc flourishes equally as well upon the quince as upon 

 the pear, and comes early into bearing, about as early as WilHams's Bon 

 Chretien. A rich, warm and deep soil seems to be the most favorable to 

 the growth of superior fruit. 



Tkee. — Moderately vigorous, with upright and somewhat irregular 

 branches; the bark on the old wood assuming, in different places, a 

 dark, coarse and crackled appearance, similar to that of an oak. 



Wood. — Clear yellowish oHve, rather short-jointed, very smooth on 

 the young growth, and sprinkled with distinct, slightly oblong, grayish 



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