PLATE LXVIII. 
7. VAN MONS LEON LECLERC. 
This pear was raised, in all probability from a pip of the St. Germain pear, by M. Leon 
Leclerc, of Laval, who was formerly Deputy for the Department of Mayenne. It was first named in 
honour of Dr. Van Mons, but this gentleman in accepting the dedication, politely insisted that 
M. Leon Leclerc’s name should also be added. The tree first bore fruit in 1S28, and was 
introduced into this country about 1841. 
A coloured figure of it is given in the “ Florist and Pomologist” for 1866. 
Description .—Fruit: large, sometimes very large, four or five inches long, and two and three 
quarters, to three inches wide ; oblong, pyramidal, undulating, and uneven in its outline. Skin : 
green at first, but changing into a dull yellow, covered with dots and tracings of russet. Eye: 
open, with spreading segments, set in a shallow basin. Stalk : an inch, to an inch and a half long, 
curved, and inserted in a shallow cavity. Flesh : yellowish white, fine-grained, buttery, and melting, 
very juicy and rich, with a delicious, sprightly, vinous flavour. 
A very fine pear, of great excellence, and often of large size. It is in season through 
November. 
The tree is very hardy, and an excellent bearer. It forms a handsome pyramid on the pear 
stock ; and succeeds well as a standard in sheltered situations. It does not succeed well on the 
quince stock. When grown against a wall, the fruit often attains from 14 to 16 ounces in weight. 
