138 REPORT ON THE FRUITS OF ONTARIO. No. 24 



DROUARD (Freyident Drouard.) 



"Large, roundish ovate, obtuse, rather irregular; color yellow, with nettings and wash- 

 ings of russet ; stalk quite stout, inserted in a deep, narrow, irregular cavity ; flesh creamy 

 white, tender, buttery, sweet, perfumed ; good. An autumn variety much liked in Michigan 

 and east of the lakes. Europe." (American Horticultural Manual.) 



DUCHESS. 



{Duchess d' Angotdeme of LcRoji and Downing : Angouleme of American Pomological Society ; 



Duchesne, common name in France.) 



For many years this pear has been counted among the best and most profitable varieties in 

 Ontario, especially when grown on quince stock, and, in consequence has been largely planted. 

 Prime samples are excellent stock for export, carried in cold storage. The fruit is often knotty 

 from curculio stings. 



Origin ; Angers, France, in 1812, a chance seedling. In 1820 Andusson, the propagator, 

 sent a basket of the fruit to the Duchess d'AngouIeme, who authorized him to bestow her title 

 upon the pear as its name. 



Tree : a strong grower, succeeds best on the quince ; variable in productiveness ; not 

 subject to blight. 



Feiut : exceedingly variable in size, sometimes weighing a pound and a quarter ; form 

 obovate, large at the base ; surface uneven, sometimes knobby ; skin light green, patched with 

 russet, and numerous grey dots ; stalk stout, curved, 1 inch long, often swollen at point of 

 attachment, deep set in an irregular cavity ; calyx small, closed, in an uneven, often russeted 

 basin. 



Flesh : white ; texture tine when well grown, but often coarse grained, melting, juicy 

 and, when properly matured, of a sweet and very good flavor. 



Quality : dessert very good ; cooking j 



V.^LUE : first class for either home or foreign market. 



Season : October and November. 



Adaptation : hardy in soutiiern Ontario, but only half hardy in Grey, Bruce and York. 



