is possibly Italian, but has been recorded in the seven- 

 teenth century by Merlet. It is now seldom grown, but 

 in good seasons it is quite first class. 



DOYENNE BUSSOCH. Her. Pom., II., 42. G. 

 Doppelte Philipps Birne. (Doyenne de Merode, Alber- 

 tine, etc.) Dessert, September to October, large, 

 3} by 3, flattened round, even. Skin, a little rough. 

 Colour, bright yellow with russet patches and often a 

 brilliant red cheek. Flesh, white, a little coarse, poor 

 flavour. Eye, small, segments fleshy, upright in a 

 round even basin. Stem, short and stout in a rather 

 deep cavity. Growth, sturdy, makes a low spreading 

 tree ; fertility very good. Leaf, large, oval, down 

 curved, held nearly flat, irregularly serrate. Origin, 

 this is an old Belgian variety originally known as 

 Double Philippe. This name was changed by Van Mons 

 to B. Merode, in honour of Count Merode of Waterloo. 

 The origin of Bussoch is doubtful. This pear is grown 

 for market in some quantity, but is only third rate. 



DOYENNE DU COMICE. Her. Pom., I., 13. G. 

 Vereins Dechants Birn. Dessert, November, large, 

 3j by 4, oval pyriform, nearly even. Skin, slightly 

 rough. Colour, pale yellow, with very fine russet over 

 most of fruit and occasional red flush. Flesh, pale 

 yellow, extremely melting and delicate, most deliciously 

 flavoured. Eye, closed in a deep round basin. Stem, 

 medium, stout, little fleshy, on level. Growth moderate, 

 upright spreading ; fertility irregular. Leaf, medium, 

 long oval, upfolded, down curved, regularly shallow 

 serrate. Origin, raised at Angers, France, by the 

 Hort. Soc. of Maine et Loire. First fruited in 1849. 

 Introduced into England by Sir Thomas Dyke Acland 

 in 1858. This delicious fruit can hardly be too highly 

 praised and should be grown in different forms and 

 positions so that its season may be extended. On rich 

 brick earth I have seen it doing well as a standard. 



DOYENNE D'ETE. Her. Pom., I., 26. F. Doyenne 

 de Juillet. G. Juli Dechants Birn. (Summer Doyenne', 



169 



