132 THE FRUIT GARDEN 



difference both in the size and colour of pears, depending upon (i) the district 

 where they are grown ; (2) the position ; (3) form of the tree ; and (4) upon 

 the amount of thinning. For example, fruits of Marie Louise gathered from 

 standard trees may be almost entirely covered with russet, and but a quarter the 

 size of fruits from wall trees, the latter being a bright orange when ripe, with 

 only a suspicion of russet. Many pears in certain soils develop a crimson or red 

 flush which is not met with generally. Pears are classed as gritty when the 

 flesh is apple-like and hard round grits are found around the core ; as melting 

 when dissolving in the mouth like a peach, e.g. Doyenn^ du Cornice ; as crisp 

 when mastication is needed. Some pears are apt to rot at the core. This may 

 be prevented in a degree by gathering the fruits before they are fully ripe. 

 The flavonar of pears is variously described as sweet, rich, and perfumed ; the 

 meaning of each term is evident. Mid-season pears, as a rule, do not keep after 

 they are ready for eating, more especially the September and October sorts, but 

 their season can be lengthened by first gathering from the sunny side of pyramid 

 trees or from the warmest parts of wall trees ; as a rule all early pears are best 

 flavoured and most juicy if gathered just before they are quite ripe. 



There are some 500 varieties of this fruit known and catalogued, but for 

 our purpose only 63 are figured and described, and these cover the whole season 

 from the ripening of Doyenn6 d'Et^ in July to the last days of April. 



AsPASlE AUCOURT. — Skin smooth, faint patches of russet ; colour greenish, shading 

 to yellow ; flesh primrose, melting and juicy ; flavour sweet and rich, first-class ; season 

 August ; growth slow on the Quince stock, upon which it forms a fertile tree. Upon the 

 Pear stock it grows moderately. It is one of the best pears in its season for garden use. 



Baron Leroy. — Skin slightly rough ; colour green, spotted with freckles of russet 

 and brown, with bronze patches ; flesh white, melting ; flavour sweet, rich, and first- 

 class ; season December to January ; growth moderate. This new pear resembles 

 Bergamotte Esperen. It may supersede it, for Bergamotte Esperen is very captious. 

 We consider it worthy of garden culture. 



Beacon. — Skin smooth and shining, with faint russet ; colour pale green, yellow, and 

 with a brown cheek ; flesh firm ; flavour sweet, not first-rate, but passable for its season ; 

 season middle to end of July ; growth very slow on the Quince stock, upon which it 

 forms a fertile, compact tree. A free bearer. 



Bergamotte Esperen. — Skin smooth and shining ; colour pale pea-green, covered 

 with large russet dots and patches of russet, faintly red or rosy sometimes ; flesh pale 

 primrose, half-melting ; flavour sweet and rich in a warm season, but in cold seasons 

 only fit for stewing ; season February to April ; growth free and twiggy, an enormous 

 cropper ; prefers a heavy soil and wall culture, but on light land is seldom eatable. 



Belle Julie. — Skin rough, covered with russet dots and patches ; colour pale green 

 to yellow ; flesh nearly white, very juicy, melting ; flai>otir rich, sweet, and quite first- 

 class ; season early November; growth close and compact; first-rate on Quince stock, 

 and bears profusely ; might succeed as a standard in warm positions ; a very fine variety 

 for garden culture in all forms. F.C.C. 1894. 



Bellissime d'hiver. — Skin smooth, with patches of rough russet ; colour green 

 and yellow, with a rich, bronzy cheek which, as the fruit ripens, is often scarlet ; flesh 

 white and crisp ; flavour, a. stewing pear ; season November to March ; growth compact, 

 sturdy, upright, forming a great number of fruit-spurs ; bears very freely, and, on account 

 of its long season, is a valuable late cooking pear. Splendid when baked. 



BEURRlfe Bosc. — Ski7t rough and harsh, entirely covered with rich, brown russet, with 

 silvery Aois,; flesh firm, very ]mcy; flavour very rich and distinct; season October; 

 growth spreading and moderate ; forms a thin-branched orchard tree ; not suitable for 



