408 THE FEtaT MANUAL. 



cellent work L'Abeille Pomologique, 1862, p. 57, he there enters very 

 fully into the question. He says : — 



" The fruit which at Auch is called Bon Chretien d'Auch, is nothing 

 else than the common Winter Bon Chretien, without seeds in some 

 gardens, and some favoured localities in the south-west ; but as soon 

 as the tree is removed to a place less suited to it the seeds reappear 

 and it becomes the common Winter Bon Chretien, and the same thing 

 frequently occurs even at Auch." 



In the Horticultural Society's Catalogue the same conclusion is 

 arrived at, and no doubt the authority of Abbe Dupuy is conclusive on 

 the point regardless of any other evidence. But I embrace this 

 opportunity of introducing another variety under the name of Bon 

 Chretien d'Auch, which seems to have escaped the notice of all modern 

 pomologists, the Bon Chretien d'Auch of Calvel. He says : — " This 

 pear, like all the Bon Chretiens, has the form of a calibasse, or of a 

 pilgrim's gourd, and is sometimes more swollen on one side than the 

 other. Green at first, it insensibly becomes yellow by degrees as it 

 approaches maturity. The part exposed to the sun is covered with 

 bright vermilion, which increases its beauty. By smelling it, its per- 

 fume announces the period when it is good to be eaten. Its flesh is 

 breaking, but of rich, sweet, and sugary juice." 



" This is perhaps the largest, most beautiful, and most perfect of 

 pears in a soU which suits it. It is only at Auch that one can form a 

 just idea of it, and even all the environs of Auch are not equally suited 

 to its culture. This fruit loses much of its size and quality when 

 grafted elsewhere. Well cultivated and in good soU it is very large. 

 I have seen it four inches diameter and more." 



"The shoots are long, crooked, and pendant, of a fawn colour, dotted 

 with grey and brownish next the sun. The buds are large, obtuse, 

 and borne on large and prominent supports. Flowers, large, the 

 number of the petals vary, they are well open, rather long, lightly 

 edged with very pale red ; the summit of the stamens are of a beautiful 

 vermUion. The leaves are large, smooth, slightly pointed, of a beautiful 

 brilliant green, slightly and regularly dentate. They become yellow 

 almost immediately after the fruit is ripe. This pear ripens in the 

 southern departments of France in the end of July, and nearly three 

 weeks or a month later elsewhere, according to the climate." What 

 can this be ? It reads very much like a description of Williams' Bon 

 Chretien. The Winter Bon Chretien ripens in January. 



Bon Chretien d'Automne. See Spanish Bon Chretien. 

 Bob Chretien d'Espagne. See Spanish Bon Chretien. 



BON CHRETIEN FONDANT.- Fruit, large, oblong, and regu- 

 larly formed. Skin, green, covered with a considerable quantity of 

 russet, and marked with numerous russety dots on the shaded side, 

 but covered with dark brownish red streaks and mottles next the sun. 

 Eye, small and closed. Stalk, thi'ee- quarters of an inch long. Flesh, 



