140 REPORT ON THE FRUITS OF ONTARIO. No. 24 



EASTEE BEUPvRE. 



Among the desirable pears to grow for export we must not o^^erlook the Easter Beurre, 

 which, though green and unattractive in appearance at time of harvesting, keeps well through 

 the winter, is an excellent shipper and is very good in quality. A warm climate and favoraVjle 

 soil seems to be necessary to its best development, and accordingly we tind it planted for com- 

 mercial purposes in the Californian pear orchards. On deep, rich sandy loam, in the southern 

 parts of our Province, it succeeds well, either as a dwarf, or as a standard tree. 



Although some writers have claimed that this pear originated in France, because some old 

 trees were found near Laval, yet the majoritj* agree that the variety originated in Belgium, at 

 the old University town of Louvain. Van Mons, in his Album de Pomologie in 1847, says, 

 " This variety was found in the ancient gardens of the Capucins, at Louvain, where the original 

 tree still stood in the year 1825, under the name of Pastorale de Louvain." 



In the old countries much confusion has existed regarding the names of pears, and sub- 

 sequently much difficulty exists in the identification of varieties ; this pear, for example, is 

 given no less than twenty-four different names in LeRoy's Dictionnaire de Pomologie, as, for 

 example, Doyenne de Printemps, Canning, Beurre d' Hi ver, etc., the last being adopted by 

 LeEoy ; while Hogg, of England, and Downing, df America, both adopt the name so well 

 known to us, Easter Beurre. 



Tree : fairly vigorous, upright and productive, and may be grown either as a dwarf or as 

 a standard tree ; if as a standard, it needs good, rich soil and a warm climate for the best suc- 

 cess. In Great Britain it does not seem to succeed so well as in Canada, for Hogg says it fre- 

 quently happens that this delicious pear is of an indifferent and insipid flavor, which is caused b v 

 the unfavorable soil ; and Blackmore, of Teddington, says, "It cracks in spots and is seldom 

 very good." Our experience with it, as grown on a dwarf tree, is favorable. 



Fri'it : above the medium size, irregular obovate ; skin pale green at harvesting time, vel- 

 lowing somewhat toward maturity, with numerous russet dots, russet patches around the stem 

 and calyx, and often a brownish cheek ; stem about 1 inch long, stout, swollen at the base, 

 set in a narrow, deep cavity ; calyx small, closed, set in a much plaited basin of moderate 

 depth. 



Flesh : white, fine in texture, melting and juicy ; flavor sweet, rich and agreeable. 



Qu.^LiTY : dessert good . 



V.M.UE : export first class. 



Se.\son : mid to late winter. 



