618 THE FRUIT MANUAL. 



VALLEE FRANCHE {Bonne de Kienzhdm; De Kimzhdm). — 

 Fruit, medium sized; obovate or obtuse-pyritbrm. Skin, smooth 

 and shining, yellowish green, becoming yellowish as it ripens, and 

 covered with numerous small russet dots. Eye, set in a shallow 

 basin. Stalk, an inch long, inserted without depression. Flesh, white, 

 rather crisp, very juicy, and sweet. 



A good early pear ; ripe in the end of August, succeeding the Jargo- 

 nelle. It requires to be eaten immediately it is gathered, otherwise it 

 speedily becomes mealy. The tree is an immense and regular bearer, 

 very hardy, and an excellent orcharding variety. 



VAN ASSCHE. — ^Fruit, large ; roundish oval, bossed and ribbed 

 in its outline. Skin, yellow, covered with flakes of russet on the 

 shaded side, and with beautiful red on the side next the sun. Eye, 

 half open, set in a ribbed basin. Stalk, half an inch long, inserted in 

 a small cavity. Flesh, half-melting, very juicy, rich, and aromatic. 



In use during November and December. 



Van Donckelaar. See Marie Louise. 

 Van Marum. See Calebasse Crosse. 

 Vandyck. See Spanish Bon Chretien. 



VAN MONS LEON LECLERC— Fruit, large, sometimes very 

 large, four to five inches long, and two and three-quarters to three 

 inches wide ; oblong-pyramidal, undulating and uneven in its outline. 

 Skin, green at first, but changing to dull yellow, covered with dots and 

 tracings of russet. Eye, open, with spreading segments, set in a 

 shallow basin. Stalk, an inch to an inch and a half long, curved, and 

 inserted in a shallow cavity. Flesh, yellowish white, buttery and 

 melting, very juicy, rich, and with a delicious sprightly viuous 

 flavour. 



A remarkably fine pear ; ripe in November. The tree is an excellent 

 bearer, succeeds well as a standard in warm situations, and forms a 

 handsome pyramid on the pear stock. 



This was raised by M. Leon Leclerc, of Laval, formerly deputy for the depart- 

 ment of Maine, and named in honour of Dr. Van Mons. The tree first fruited in 

 1828. 



VAN DE WEYER BATES.— Fruit, below medium size ; roundish- 

 obovate. Skin, pale lemon-yeUow, covered with small brown dots 

 and a few veins of russet of the same colour. Eye, very large and 

 open, set in a moderate depression. Stalk, an inch and a quarter 

 long, inserted between two lips. Flesh, yeUow, buttery, and very 

 juicy, rich, and sugary, with a pleasant aroma. 



One of the finest late pears ; ripe from March till May. 



VAUQUELIN. — Fruit, very large; oblong-obovate, or pyriform, 

 uneven and undulating in its outline. Skin, pale straw-yellow, covered 

 with russet dots, and with a brownish tinge on the side next the sun. 



