PEAR. 



329 



or longer. This is one of the hest, for either the 

 cook or confectioner, and has been long in this 

 country. The fruit are large, and of great diameter 

 near the eye, diminishing rapidly towards the stalk, 

 which is short, thick, and strongly inserted in a 

 shallow cavity ; colour brownish yellow, with a red 

 blotch next the sun; the whole yellow when ripe. 

 This is a hardy and gross-feeding tree, very common 

 about old farm houses, where it attains a large size. 

 The tree however requires shelter, as the heavy fruit are 

 liable to be thinned by the wind before they are ripe. 



51. Uvedale's St. Germain P. — In use from Decem- 

 ber to May. This is the largest pear grown in this 

 country, weighing sometimes from thirty to forty 

 ounces. The fruit are of a long shape, greatest 

 diameter near the eye, somewhat contracted about 

 the middle, and tapering bluntly towards the stalk, 

 which is short and thick. The eye is large and in a 

 hollow : general colour dark green, intermixed with 

 russet, and sometimes red tinted towards the sun. 

 The skin is thin and smooth ; and though not so high 

 coloured when stewed or baked as the Cadillac, it is 

 equally well flavoured. It forms a fine healthy 

 tree, and of stately growth, but unsuitable for the 

 orchard, by reason of the heavy fruit, which are 

 shaken from the tree with the least puflf of wind. 

 As an espalier, or on an east wall, it well repays for 

 the space allowed and care bestowed on it, as it is 

 a good bearer, and equally serviceable in the second 

 course of high cookery, as the more delicious pears 

 are in the dessert. 



