058 THE PEAR. 



Cure^ or Monsieur le Cure. A short time after it became 

 known at Paris, it was imported into England by the Reverend 

 Mr. PJiam, of Winkfield, Berkshire, and cultivated and dissemi- 

 nated from thence, becoming known in the neighbourhood of 

 London as tlie Vicar of Winkjit'ld. 



With regard to its merits there is some difference of opinion 

 — some persons considering it a fine fruit. It is always remark- 

 ably large, fair, and handsome. We think it always a first rate 

 baking pear. Occasionally we have tasted it fine as a table 

 pear, but generally it is astringent, and only third rate for this 

 purpose. If ripened off in a warm temperature, however, it 

 will generally prove a good, second rate eating pear. But its 

 great productiveness, hardiness, and fine size, will always give 

 it a prominent place in the orchard as a profitable market 

 cooking pear. The tree grows thriftily, with drooping fruit 

 branches. Shoots diverging, dark olive. 



Fruit large and long-pyriform, often six inches long, and a 

 little one-sided. Skin fair and smooth, pale yellowy sometimes 

 with a brownish :heek, and marked with small brown dots. 

 Stalk an inch or an inch and a half long, slender, 'obliquely in- 

 serted without depression. Calyx large, open, set in a basin 

 which is very slightly sunk. Flesh greenish-white, generally 

 juicy, but sometimes buttery, w;ith a good, sprightly flavour. 

 November to January. 



YicoMTE DE Spoelberch. Van Mons. 

 De Spoelberg. Delices, Yan Mons. 



Tree vigorous, productive ; has not proved very good, may 

 improve with age. 



Fruit medium, roundish, turbinate. Skin pale yellow, cover- 

 ed with numerous small dots, and small patches of russet. 

 Stalk long, curved, fleshy at its insertion, with slight russet. 

 Calyx open, basin shallow. Flesh white, buttery, juicy, melt- 

 ing, not high flavoured. November, December. 



Wadleigh. Cole. 



Origin, New Hampshire. Fruit rather small, roundish, obo- 

 vate. Skin yellow. Stalk short, stout, inserted in a small 

 plaited basin. Flesh melting, juicy and delicious. Tree hardy 

 and vigorous. Last of August and first of September. (Cole.) 



Walker. Van Mons. 



135 of Van Mons. 



Tree hard}^ but not a rapid grower; forms a fine pyramid; 

 shoots very stout, greyish-brown. 



Fruit large, exceedingly elongated, pyriform. Skin yellow, 



