244 THE PEARS OF NEW YORK 
Ambrosia. 1. Jour. Hort. N. S. 14:326, fig. 1868. 2. Hogg Fruit Man. 177. 1884. 
Switser, writing in England in 1724, said that this variety was introduced to that 
country from France ‘“‘ among that noble collection of. fruit that was planted in the Royal 
Gardens in St. James’s Park soon after the Restoration, but is now cut down.” No French 
author, however, appears to mention it under this name. It was formerly to be found 
in many old English gardens but now seems to have dropped out of favor. Fruit medium, 
globular-obovate, greenish-yellow, slightly russeted and covered with small, gray specks; 
flesh buttery and in England possessing a high flavor, melting, rich, sugary, perfumed;. 
first for dessert; Sept. but does not keep long. 
Amédée Leclerc. 1. Leroy Dict. Pom. 1:113, fig. 1867. 
Raised by Léon Leclerc, Laval, Mayenne, Fr. It first bore fruit in 1849. Fruit 
medium, conic-cylindrical, often irregular in form and bossed, pale yellow, dotted, streaked 
and veined with russet; flesh white, fine, semi-melting; second; Feb. 
Amélie Leclerc. 1. Mas Le Verger 3: Pt. 2, 1, fig. 97. 1866-73. 2. Leroy Dict. Pom. 
I:114, fig. 1867. 
This excellent pear was raised by Léon Leclerc, Laval, Mayenne, Fr. The original 
tree first bore fruit in 1850, and appeared then to be 12 years old. Introduced to this 
country about 1868. Fruit medium, globular-ovate, somewhat uneven in outline, obtuse, 
pale yellow, dotted and veined with russet and washed with rose-carmine on the cheek 
next the sun; flesh white, fine, melting, full of juice, sugary, acidulous, perfumed; first; 
Sept. and Oct. 
America. 1. Mag. Hort. 25:205, fig. 12. 1859. 2. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 658. 1869. 
It was said of Francis Dana, the indefatigable pomologist of Boston, that he saved 
the seed of all good pears that he ate, and that from these he produced sixteen new, 
good varieties of which America was one. It is a handsome pear and in 1859 was con- 
sidered an important acquisition because it ripens in the early part of the winter when the 
number of choice varieties is limited. Fruit very large, globular-ovate, somewhat angular, 
with an uneven surface, dull greenish-yellow, much clouded with dull russet, and sprinkled 
heavily with large russet dots; flesh yellowish-white, rather coarse, semi-melting, sugary, 
buttery, pleasant, rich in flavor and having a refreshing aroma; good; keeps well; Dec. 
Amie Verdier. 1. Mass. Hort. Soc. Rpt. 40. 1871. 
One of a collection of 42 new varieties of pears exhibited by Marshall P. Wilder 
at the annual exhibition of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society in 1871, for which 
Mr. Wilder obtained the “ first prize for new pears.’”” Fruit medium, obovate, inclining 
to turbinate, yellow, with brownish-red cheek and some traces of russet; flesh white, very 
melting, juicy and rich. Promised to be fine. 
Amiral. 1. Leroy Dict. Pom. 1:115, fig. 1867. 2. Hogg Fruit Man. 478. 1884. 
Cardinale. 3. Prince Pom. Man. 1:90. 1831. 
A fine old French pear of unknown origin but mentioned by Olivier de Serres in his 
Theatre d’agriculture in 1600. Fruit large, pyramidal, rather uneven in outline, dark 
greenish-yellow and washed with brilliant red on the side next the sun; flesh white, fine, 
tender, melting, free from grit, very juicy, rich and perfumed with anis; first rate dessert 
pear; seeds usually abortive; Sept. and Oct. 
