PEARS. 133 



to the claw ; fruit middle-sized, or rather large, obovate, some- 

 what obtuse at the stalk, which is upwards of an inch long, 

 and moderately thick ; eye generally open, but sometimes par- 

 tially closed by the collapsing segments of the calyx ; skin 

 yellowish, sometimes nearly covered with russet brown ; flesh 

 yellowish, melting, buttery, juicy, very rich, and high fla= 

 voured." 



FLEMISH BEAUTY. Pom. mag. Pr. cat. 



La helle deFlandres, 

 Imperatrice de la France, 

 Fojidante de bois, 

 Bouche noo.velle. 

 Brilliant, 



This variety has only been recently introduced to our coun- 

 try, and in consequence is but partially disseminated. It is 

 one of the best pears in point of quality, and bears abun- 

 dantly ; its size and appearance are much in its favour, and it 

 is expected to become an important appendage to the list of 

 esteemed fruits. The Pomological Magazine describes it thus : 



" It is a large-sized, greenish russet, handsome kind, ripen- 

 ing in October, and keeping for a month or two ; it has the 

 remarkable property of improving more if gathered before it 

 is quite ripe, than if fully mature when taken from the tree. 

 In the latter case it is apt to acquire a kind of anise scent 

 which is not agreeable ; in the former, it becomes perfectly 

 melting and rich, without any such flavour. The wood is 

 spreading, moderately strong, reddish brown, with numerous 

 reddish spots ; leaves middle-sized, ovate, tapering to the point, 

 slightly serrated ; petioles rather long and slender ; stipules 

 linear ; flowers middle-sized and early ; fruit large, obovate, 

 obtuse at the stalk, which is nearly an inch long, and mode- 

 rately thick ; eye open, and placed in a slight depression ; skin 

 russet, tinged with a crimson red next the sun, the shaded side 

 greenish yellow ; flesh rather firm, yellowish white, sweet, rich, 

 melting, and excellent. It must be gathered while it adheres 



Lond. Hort. cat. and other 

 publications. 



