PLATE XXXVI. 
4. DELICES D’H ARDEN PONT. 
This Pear was raised by Abbe Hardenpont, of Mons, in Belgium, in 1759, in his garden 
which was situated at the Porte du Havre, at Mons. It was received by Van Mons from the Abbe, 
and is entered twice in his catalogue; first in the 1st Series No. 331 ; and again in the 2nd Series 
No. 714, as “ DSlices cTHardenpont, par son patron.” Grafts of it were sent by Dr. Van Mons to 
Dr. Diel in 1810, and his description leaves no doubt as to the true variety. Dr. Van Mons sent 
it to the Horticultural Society of London. 
There has been much contention amongst pomologists with reference to the true variety of 
this pear. Some authorities make Charles d'Autriche and Archduc Charles merely synonymes of 
it. Both these pears were received by Diel from Van Mons, and the description of them both 
differs so widely from Delices d'Hardenpont that it is a matter of surprise that any one could for a 
moment suppose them to be identical. The figure of Dttices d'Hardenpont given by M. Willermoz 
in “ Pomologie de la France ” is excellent, but that given by M. Bivort is incorrect, and has no 
resemblance to it. 
Description. —•Fruit : large, three inches and a quarter long, and over two inches and a half 
wide ; oblong obovate, blunt at the stalk, irregular and uneven in its outline, narrowing from the 
bulge to the eye. Skin : smooth, at first bright green, changing as it attains maturity to bright 
lemon yellow, thickly covered with pale brown russety dots on the sunny side, but less so in the 
shade. Eye : small and open, with short, dry, erect segments, and set in an uneven and considerable 
depression. Stalk : an inch long, thick and fleshy, rather obliquely inserted in a small compressed 
cavity, and sometimes on the apex of the fruit. Flesh : white, tender, buttery, melting, with a rich, 
sweet, and perfumed flavour. 
An excellent dessert Pear ; ripe in November. 
The tree is rather delicate, but is a good bearer. It succeeds well on the Quince stock, and 
may be grown either against a wall or as a standard. 
