PLATE XL. 
6. DOYENNE D’ALENCON. 
> 
fa V 
[Syn : Doyenne d'Hirer d'A len$on; Doyenne d'Hiver Nouveau; Doyenne Gris d' Hirer 
Nouveau; St. Michel d'Hiver ; Doyenne Marbrei\ 
The history of the origin of this Pear seems lost. It resembles somewhat the Easter 
Bcurrt in appearance, and has been considered synonymous with it, but the tree is very different in 
growth, and the flavour of the fruit is also quite distinct, and much superior to it. 
Description .—Fruit : medium sized, two inches and three-quarters long and two inches and 
a half wide ; oval, narrowing with an abrupt concave curve towards the eye, so as to form a sort of 
snout of the apex. Skin : pea green, or greenish yellow when ripe, thickly dotted all over with 
large dots, which are sometimes grey and sometimes green, not unlike the colouring of Easter 
Beurre. Eye : small and open, with short ovate segments, which are incurved and set in a narrow 
depression. Stalk : very short and generally stout, inserted in a small round cavity. Flesh : 
yellowish, tender, buttery and melting, slightly gritty at the core, but sweet, rich, and highly 
flavoured. 
A very excellent late Pear, in season from December to February, or even March. 
The tree grows vigorously, bears abundantly, and forms a handsome pyramid. The young 
shoots are quite distinct in growth from the Easter Beurrl , for the buds instead of being slender, 
conical, and pressed to the shoot, are plump, oval, and spreading. 
