498 THE FBUIT MANUAL. 



EETOUR DE ROME. — Fruit, above medium size, three inches 

 and a quarter long and two inches and a half wide ; pyriform, even and 

 handsome in its shape. Skin, of a rough appearance, though not so to 

 the touch ; of a dull greenish grey colour, and much covered with large 

 russet specks the size of a pin's head. Eye, very small and open, 

 with small acute segments set in a shallow basin. Stalk, slender, 

 curved, pale brown, woody, three-quarters of an inch long, inserted 

 without depression on the narrow apex of the fruit, to which it is 

 attached by fleshy folds. Flesh, fine-grained, melting, very juicy, 

 with a rich and sprightly vinous flavour and a delicate aroma. 



An excellent pear ; ripe in the end of October. 



I received this from M. Fapeleu, of Wetteren, in 1847, and it is quite distinct 

 from NouTeau Poiteau, with which some pomologiats have found it synonymous. 



RIVERS. — Fruit, medium sized ; turbinate, regular in its outline. 

 Skin, greenish, almost entirely covered with bright brown russet. 

 Eye, open, slightly depressed in a plaited basin. Stalk, very short, 

 slender, and inserted quite on the apex of the fruit. Flesh, very 

 melting, juicy, with a rich vinous flavour and a delicate musky perfume. 



An excellent early pear ; ripe in September. 



It was raised by M. Andre Leroy, of Angers, and was named as a compliment 

 to Mr. Thomas Rivers, of Sawbridgworth. 



ROBERT HOGrG. — ^Fruit, large, three inches and a half long and 

 nearly three inches wide ; short obovate, widest towards the crown. 

 Skin, rather deep green, much covered with fawn-coloured mottles of 

 russet and smaJl grey dots. Eye, open, pretty much depressed. 

 Stalk, very short, somewhat obUquely inserted in a slight depression 

 by the side of a fleshy swelling. Flesh, fine-grained, very melting and 

 juicy, richly flavoured, aromatic, and with an agreeable acidity. 



A dessert pear of the finest quality ; in use in September and 

 October. The tree is an excellent bearer. 



This was raised by M. Andr6 Leroy, of Angers, and produced its first fruit in 

 1868, when M. Leroy did me the honour to associate my name with it, and which 

 I regard as a graceful acknowledgment of a friendship which has existed for 

 upwards of thirty years. 



Roberts' Keeping. See Easter Bergamol. 



ROBINE {Royale d'Ete). — Fruit, below medium size ; roundish tur- 

 binate, like a small Bergamot. Skin, at first bright green, but becoming 

 paler and of a yellowish tinge as it ripens, and dotted with brown dots. 

 Eye, open, with long reflexed acuminate segments, and set in a small 

 rather shallow cavity. Stalk, an inch and a quarter long, inserted in a 

 very small sheath-like cavity. Flesh, white, crisp, rather dry, and of a 

 musky sugary flavour. 



A dessert pear ; ripe in August. The tree is vigorous, and much 

 resembles the Cassolette, and bears more freely on the quince than on 

 the pear stock. 



This I believe to be the Eobine of Knoop, as well as of Duhamel ; but Knoop 

 gives Muscat d'Averat, Muscat d'AoAt, and Aurate, as synonymes, which is an 



