190 Porn^ological Notices ; 



of the libels on our country in some presses of Great 

 Britain, and his intention to send us the best new fruits 

 which the late improvements had introduced." At the same 

 tirne Mr. Knight forwarded trees and scions of ten varieties 

 of pears, among which was the Napoleon. These nearly 

 all grew, and scions were liberally distributed, from whence 

 this variety has been extensively disseminated in the vi- 

 cinity of Boston. 



The Napoleon was raised by Dr. Van Mons of Lou- 

 vain, and was first sent to England in 1816. It proved to 

 be so good a variety that it was rapidly disseminated, and 

 some time ago had become a very commonly cultivated 

 and universally admired pear. A very correct drawing of 

 it is given in the Po7n. Mag., Vol, II. pi. 75. 



Size, large, about three inches long, and two and a half 

 in diameter : Form, obtuse pyramidal, largest about one 

 third from the eye, considerably contracted above the mid- 

 dle, ending obtusely at the stem : 8kin, fair, smooth, 

 pale green, becomino yellowish when mature, sometimes 

 Avith a faint tinge of red on the sunny side, and covered 

 with minute russet specks : Stem, long, about one inch, 

 straight, smooth, dark brown, inserted in a shallow cavity, 

 with a slight projection, or lip, on one side : Eye, medium 

 size, deeply sunk in a large, round, cavity ; segments of the 

 calyx rather short : Flesh, yellowish white, coarse, melting 

 and exceedingly juicy : Flavor, rich and refreshing : Core, 

 medium size : Seeds, large, light brown. Ripe in October 

 and November. 



This pear is very variable in its quality, according to the 

 soil in which the tree is placed. In cool heavy soils it is 

 often astringent ; but in light rich loams it is excellent, hav- 

 ing a most copious supply of rich, sprightly, refreshing 

 juice. It is not in eating until the skin assumes a yellow- 

 ish hue. It succeeds well either on the quince or pear 

 stock. In the vicinity of Boston this variety is often found 

 under one of the synonyms above quoted, the Charles d' Au- 

 triche, and in the autumn of 1S43, at the Annual Exhibi- 

 tion of the Mass. Hort. Soc. several parcels were received 

 from various cultivators, under that name, which proved to 

 be the Napoleon. We ourselves received it from France 

 under the former name. The Napoleon is, however, so 

 distinct a fruit, that the error is readily detected. 



