1858. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



65 



PONDANTE D'AUTOMNE, OK BELLE LUCEATIVE, 



We present the reader, in this number of our 

 journal, with one of the most beautiful, as ■well 

 as one of the best, pears that grows. The late 

 Mr. Downing, in his work on fruits, says : "If 

 we were asked which are the two liigliest flavored 

 pears known in this country, we should not hesi- 

 tate to name the Seckel, and the Fondante d'Au- 

 tomne (Autumn melting.) It is a new Flemish 

 pear, and no garden should be destitute of it. 

 The tree is of moderate growth, the young shoots 

 long, yellowish-gray." 



The fruit is of medium size, obovate, narrow, 

 but blunt at the stalk. Skin, pale yellowish- 

 green, slightly russeted. Stalk little more than 

 an inch long, stout, often fleshy, obliquely insert- 



ed in a slight, irregular cavity. Calyx very short, 

 spare, with few divisions, set in a basin of mod- 

 erate depth. Flesh exceedingly juicy, melting, 

 sugary, rich and delicious. Ripe last of Sept. 



Thomas says it is "very variable — when well- 

 grown and fully ripened, it has no superior, and . 

 few equals, in its exceedingly rich, delicate, per- 

 fumed flavor — but often of poor quality." 



Cole says, that, "in a warm soil and favorable 

 seJison, it has no superior, but it varies. Hardy, 

 and good bearer. Does not crack. Poorer in 

 moist soil." 



Those extending their number to twenty-five 

 trees, or more, should include the Belle Lucra- 

 tive. 



