THE PEAR 135 



patches of russet and golden dots ; flesh firm ; flavour rich, sweet, and pleasant ; if left 

 on the tree to ripen it becomes mealy, but when gathered in time is juicy and good ; 

 season middle to end of July, the earliest good pear ; growth upright, rather spreading ; 

 forms a pretty pyramid or garden tree. Its earliness is its chief characteristic ; foliage 

 thin and long. 



Doyenne du Comice (Comice).— 5/5z» slightly harsh ; colour dull orange-yellow, 

 with minute black dots, sometimes when from a wall has a brilliant red &ush; flesh 

 melting, pale primrose, entirely without grit ; flavour exquisite, rich and delicious ; 

 season November, and sometimes into December when from a cool wall ; growth 

 moderate. This is without doubt the best pear grown, and should be freely planted in 

 various aspects, on walls and in the open, to lengthen its season. Care should be 

 taken to keep the roots near the surface by mulching, and if it grows too freely root- 

 pruning must be carried out. It succeeds in any form. We do not advise heavy 

 thinning, as the moderate-sized fruits have the richest flavour. F.C.C. 1900. 



Dr. Jules Guyot. — akin smooth and polished ; colour orange-yellow, with black 

 dots ; flesh buttery and melting ; flavour perfumed and occasionally very good, but its 

 chief value is as a market variety ; season September ; growth slow and sturdy. Bears 

 profusely, and the fruit is often i lb. in weight. When gathered before fully ripe it is 

 very juicy and good, but if over-ripe it is mealy and flavourless. This excellent fruit is 

 being largely planted for market sale. The tree is very hardy and bears regularly. It 

 succeeds in the north. 



DucHESSE DE BORDEAUX. — Skin smooth and velvety ; colour pale cinnamon-brown, 

 strewed with patches of russet, with coppery tinge on sunny side ; flesh white and firm, 

 half-melting ; flavour very rich, slightly aromatic ; season February to March ; growth 

 moderate, free on the Pear stock, but slow on the Quince. A good bearer, and like 

 many late pears pays for feeding at the root. Fruits must be well matured before 

 being gathered. F.C.C. 1885. 



DuRONDEAU (De Tongr^s). — Skin harsh, shining ; colour rich nut-brown with deep 

 red-brown flush ; flesh white, half-melting, and juicy ; flavour very rich ; season end of 

 October ; growth free ; foliage rather small. This indispensable pear succeeds in all 

 forms, and is worthy of wall culture ; bears freely and regularly. 



Easter Beurr6. — Skin harsh when grown in the open, but often smooth in wall- 

 grown fruits ; colour pale green with a chocolate-red cheek, with dots of the same colour, 

 and faint silvery russet dots on shaded side ; flesh tender and melting, juicy ; flavour 

 very refreshing, pleasantly sub-acid ; season December to Mafch ; growth moderate, 

 slow on the Quince stock ; worthy of a south or south-west wall, and is then first-class in 

 beauty and flavour. Succeeds as a pyramid in good situations. 



Emile d'Heyst (Beurre d'P^steren). — Skin smooth ; colour orange-yellow with small 

 russet dots and patches ; flesh yellowish, melting, and juicy ; flavour rich, piquant, with 

 a pleasant refreshing acidity ; season end of October and November ; growth neat and 

 compact, and somewhat irregular. It forms a mass of fruit-spurs, and bears profusely 

 and regularly. It succeeds in many forms, and is a far more reliable sort than Marie 

 Louise, though not so sweet and richly flavoured, but it has a pleasant sub-acid juice 

 which many prefer. It is one of the best pears, and should be freely planted in various 

 aspects. F.C.C. 1899. 



FONDANTE d'automne. — Skin smooth with russet flecks and dots ; colour orange- 

 yellow, with brownish red cheek, sometimes all greenish yellow ; flesh buttery, very 

 juicy ; flavour very sweet and rich, first-class ; season end of September and October ; 

 growth neat and compact with sparse small foliage. It succeeds in all forms, and is one 

 of the very best grown. (Birds are particularly fond of it.) 



FONDANTE DE Thirriot. — Skin nearly smooth, with shallow punctures ; colour 

 lemon to orange, often with a deep golden-scarlet tinge ; flesh firm, and very juicy ; 

 flavour sweet, rich, and first-rate ; season October and November ; growth upright and 

 free. A remarkable bearer, succeeding in any form, one of the best recently brought to 

 notice ; foliage rather small. 



GiLOGlL. — Skin smooth and velvety ; colour rich coppery brown, strewn with thin 



