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October 14, 1880. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 349 
Scotch Champion has been largely planted here as elsewhere. 
The crop is large and almost free from disease. From what I see 
and hear it is likely to prove a useful stopgap until another novelty 
turns up with fewer faults. The markets tell a tale as to its 
general appreciation for table. All the talk in the world will not 
get over the stubborn fact that Victorias and Regents are making 
from £5 to £G per ton, while Champions are being given away for 
£3 lO.f. “An Irishman,” “ W. J. M.,” and Mr. A. Barker think 
that the true Champion cannot be fit to eat in August. Some of 
mine were planted at the end of January and were quite destitute 
of foliage by the first week in August, owing to the hot dry weather, 
after being six months and a half in the ground. Others planted 
in April have just been lifted (September 20th). Surely this is 
long enough for even the latest Potato to arrive at maturity. 
Individual opinions as their being white and mealy must be 
taken for what they are worth. There are relative degrees of 
both. I have seen a flock of sheep appear beautifully white 
against the green grass ; but the next day, after a fall of snow, 
they seemed to have changed to a dingy drab. Put a few good 
Victorias or Snowflakes into a dish of Champions, and the same 
effect will be produced. As to their being always good, whether 
boiled or baked, this may be so ; I have never denied it. Except 
for their being rather too solid and rather coarse in flavour they 
may fairly be described as good ; but there are three degrees of 
comparison—good, better, best, and Champion must be content 
with the positive. But my object in making these remarks is to 
record my opinion that growers should be careful about giving up 
old well-established varieties, and taking to these coarse novelties 
merely from fear of the disease. In the report of the Crystal 
Palace Show I observe that many varieties are mentioned of 
which I have no experience; but I like, and no doubt most 
others do, to try a few promising novelties every season if possible. 
Fig. 62 .—Belle jclie pear. 
It would be a boon if any disinterested person who has grown 
them would give their experience. Vicar of Laleham, Woodstock 
Kidney, Radstock Beauty, and Pride of America are repeatedly 
mentioned. Who can tell us anything reliable about them ? 
—R. W. Beachey. 
BELLE JULIE PEAR. 
October and November Pears are so numerous and so good 
that no one would be warranted in adding another variety to 
the already rich list unless such variety possessed really good 
qualities. Belle Julie is a great and certain bearer ; the fruit is 
distinct from all others by its warm hazel-brown colour, and its 
flavour is excellent. Last year a pyramid at Chiswick was 
perhaps more heavily laden with fruit than any tree in the garden, 
and this year the same tree has produced another excellent crop. 
Tested with such varieties as Marie Louise and Louise Bonne of 
Jersey, the fruit of the variety in question was at the least equal 
to either, and some judges thought it superior. This variety is 
described as follows in the “ Fruit Manual: ”— 'CV 2 row| 
“ Fruit medium sized, long obovate, even and regular shaped. 
Skin rather rough to the feel from the large russety specks with 
which it is covered. The colour is dull brown, somewhat like 
that of the Brown Beurrd ; and on the side next the sun it has a 
warm reddish-brown glow, like a gipsy’s blush. On the shaded 
side, where the skin is not covered with russet, the green ground 
colour shows through. Stalk an inch long, brown, and woody, 
inserted on one side of the fruit under a fleshy lip. Eye clove¬ 
like, wide open, with long segments, and set almost on a level 
with the surface of the fruit. Flesh yellowish, tender, buttery, 
melting, and very juicy. The juice is rich, sugary, and vinous, 
with a fine perfume. A most delicious Pear ; ripe in the end of 
October. This ought to be more extensively cultivated.” 
As was’stated last November Mr. Barron has also a high opinion 
