164 THE PEARS OF NEW YORK 
Flemish Beauty, and it appeared then to be in pretty general cultivation 
in England. Styling it Barnard, Hovey wrote, in 1851, that Flemish 
Beauty ‘‘ had been known in Dorchester, Massachusetts, for nearly twenty 
years,” so that it is to be inferred that the variety was introduced to this 
country prior to 1830 and possibly by some one by the name of Barnard. 
The rapid distribution of this pear was promoted by Van Mons who gave 
numerous grafts of it to his friends and correspondents. The fact that the 
variety has over sixty synonyms may be taken as some testimony to its 
popularity and excellence. At the first meeting of the American Pomo- 
logical Society held in 1848, Flemish Beauty was placed in the list of pears 
recommended for general cultivation, a place it has since retained. 
Tree medium in size, vigorous, spreading, with drooping branches, hardy, productive; 
trunk smooth; branches thick, shaggy, bright reddish-brown, with dull gray scarf-skin, 
large lenticels; branchlets thick, short, with short internodes, reddish-brown, smooth, 
glabrous, with many- large, raised lenticels. 
Leaf-buds large, long, obtuse, pointed, nearly free; leaf-scars prominent. Leaves 
3% in. long, 12 in. wide, oval, thick, leathery; apex taper-pointed:; margin finely serrate; 
petiole 2 in. long, usually slender. Flower-buds very large, long, conical or pointed, very 
plump, free; flowers 1} in. across, in dense clusters, usually 7 buds in a cluster; pedicels 
11 in. long, slender, slightly pubescent, light green. 
Fruit ripe in late September and early October; large, nearly 23 in. long, 24 in. wide, 
uniform in size and shape, roundish or obovate-obtuse-pyriform, symmetrical, with nearly 
equal sides; stem 14 in. long, thick; cavity acute, shallow to deep, narrow, slightly russeted, 
a little furrowed; calyx open; lobes partly separated at the base, short, obtuse; basin shal- 
low, narrow, abrupt, symmetrical; skin thick, tough, roughish, dull; color clear yellow, 
overspread on the exposed cheek with a dotted and marbled red blush; dots numerous, 
russet, small, conspicuous; flesh yellowish-white, firm, becoming melting and tender, 
granular, juicy, sweet, aromatic, with a slight musky flavor; quality very good. Core 
closed, with clasping core-lines; calyx-twbe short, wide, conical; seeds rather long, plump, 
acute. 
FONDANTE DE NOEL 
1. Mag. Hort. 21:267, fig. 9. 1855. 2. Ann. Pom. Belge '7:67, Pl. 1859. 3. Pom. France 1: No. 14, 
Pl. 14. 1863. 4. Mas Le Verger 1:65, fig. 39. 1866-73. 5. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 764. 1869. 
6. Hogg Fruit Man. 580. 1884. 
Belle aprés Noél. 7. McIntosh Bk. Gard. 2:459. 1855. 
Weihnachtsbirne. 8. Dochnahl Fithr. Obstkunde 2:62. 1856. 9. Mathieu Nom. Pom. 296. 1889. 
Belle de Noél. 10. Leroy Dict. Pom. 1:209, fig. 1867. 
It is doubtful whether this rather rare European pear can be purchased 
from American nurserymen now, but possibly it may be had, and at least 
it could be re-propagated from old trees. The fruit is distinguished by its 
trim, top-shaped form and handsome coat, usually enlivened with a dull 
