136 Account of the Pears received from the Luxembourg 



Doyenne' gris. 



Doyenne gris, Cat. du Lux. p. 34. Duhamel, torn. ii. p. 208, cum Ic. Doyenne* 

 roux,PoiTEAU, p. 100, cum Ic. Sard. Fruit, tom.m.p. 114, cum Ic. Doyenne 

 gris ou d'automne, Bon Jard. 



Duhamel was the first who noticed this excellent Pear, he 

 for some time believed it to be the same as the Doyenne 

 blanc, and only altered in its character by soil and situation ; 

 he, at length, however, observed that in the garden of the 

 Chartreux, as well as in some others, it constantly varied so 

 much from the Doyenne blanc in many essential particulars 

 as to satisfy him that it was a distinct variety. Time has 

 proved that he was right, for it not only differs materially in 

 appearance, but it is near a month later in ripening, and is a 

 very superior Pear. Poiteau and Turpin, in the enlarged 

 edition of Duhamel, changed its name to Doyenne roux, 

 believing that term to designate its colour more truly than 

 gris. In this change they have been followed by M. 

 Noisette, in the Jardin Fruitier. From all the specimens 

 which I have seen, I consider this change was necessary for 

 sake of accuracy, for the skin is of the bright cinnamon colour 

 which is seen on the best ripened specimens of the Gansell's 

 Bergamot, and which is certainly nearer to red than gray. 

 It resembles the Doyenne blanc in form, but seldom attains 

 to so large a size ; the flesh is not so white, is more crisp, 

 and it keeps longer after being gathered. Its period of 

 ripening is towards the end of November. The annexed 

 figure by Mr. Hooker will convey a most perfect idea of this 

 beautiful fruit. 



