PLATE XLVIII. 
4. BELLE JULIE. 
[Syn : Alexandine Helied\ 
Th is Pear is one of the many excellent pears raised by Van Mons. The tree first bore fruit 
in 1842, and was named “ Belle Julie ” in honour of his grand-daughter, the daughter of General 
Van Mons. A coloured illustration of the Pear is given in the “ Florist and Pomologist ” for 
September, 1863. 
Description. —Fruit: medium sized ; long obovate, even and regularly shaped. Skin : 
rather rough to the feel from the large russety specks with which it is covered. The colour is dull 
or hazel brown, somewhat like that of the Brown Beurre; and on the side next the sun it has a 
warm reddish brown glow, like a.gipsy 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. Juice : rich, sugary and vinous, with a fine perfume. 
A delicious Pear, ripe in October and November. “ It is one of the most serviceable in 
cultivation,” says Mr. Barron, from his experience of its growth in the Royal Horticultural Society’s 
garden at Chiswick. 
The tree is very hardy, grows well as a pyramid, and is a great and certain bearer. 
