THE WINTER NELIS PEAR. 



Winter Nelis. Pomological Magazine, vol. iii. pi. 126. 



La Bonne Malinoise, Hort. Trans, vol. v. p. 408. 



Bonne de Malines, Hort. Trans, vol. iii. p. 353. 



Beurre' de Malines, 1 



MiLANAisE CuvELiER, V Hort. Soc. Catalogue, 3d Ed. 1842. 



Etourneau, \ 



Nelis d'Hiver, of some Collections. 



The Winter Nelis deservedly ranks among the 

 very best winter pears which have yet been pro- 

 duced. Though of only medium size and rather 

 unprepossessing appearance, its peculiarly rich, 

 sugary, and high-flavored qualities have gained 

 for it a popularity smpassed by no other pear. 

 As a hardy, vigorous, and productive tree, ripen- 

 ing its fruit freely and keeping well, it must be 

 classed with the very few first-rate pears which 

 we yet possess. Mr. Thompson remarks, that 

 there are few varieties "upon the merits of which 

 connoisseurs do not differ ; but that the Winter Nelis is one which all 

 agTee to be of the highest excellence." 



This fine pear was raised by the Chevalier Nelis, of Mechhn, and was 

 first introduced into English gardens by the London Horticultural So- 

 ciety, and described and figured in then- Transactions, above quoted, as 

 La Bonne Mahnoise ; but subsequently this name was cancelled, and 

 that of the Winter Nebs substituted, in honor of the originator of so 

 superior a variety. For its first introduction to our gardens, we are in- 

 debted to the late Mr. Knight, who sent it to Mr. Lowell, in 1823 ; 

 Mr. Manning received it from Mr. Lowell, and, from, the Pomological 

 Garden, it has been extensively disseminated. 



The Winter Nehs produces very regular and good crops, and comes 

 into bearing the fourth or fifth year : it seems to flourish in any situa- 

 tion, and on hght soils, where some kinds do not succeed well, the Nelis 

 proves to be excellent. It does not grow well upon the quince. 



Tree. — ^Vigorous, irregular in its growth, some of the branches bend- 

 ing inward towards the main stem, while others assume a stragghng and 

 dechning habit. The old wood thickly fined with smah short spurs, as 

 shown in our vignette, which is from a tree four years from the bud or 

 graft. The tree is also vei7 late in leafing out in spring. 



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