PLATE LXX. 
4. BERGAMOTTE ESPEREN. 
[Syn : Esperen 7 \ 
This excellent variety was raised from seed about the year 1830, by Major Esperen, of 
Malines. It is one of the numerous varieties produced by this excellent fruit grower, and has been 
considered by some pomologists to be a seedling from Easter Beurre. “ Pierre Joseph Esperen 
was born at Ghent, 29th January, 1780, and died at Malines, 13th of August, 1847. He entered 
the public service in 1804 as a volunteer, and resigning at the restoration, he was free to indulge 
his tastes in pomology. His temporary return to the service in 1830, gained for him the rank of 
Major” (Decaisne). 
Description .—Fruit : medium size, frequently larger, varying from two inches and three 
quarters wide and two inches and a quarter high, to three inches and a half wide to three inches 
high. It is in the smaller fruit, distinctly Bergamot-shaped, but in large and well grown specimens 
it is rather turbinate, narrowing abruptly to the stalk, even and regular in its outline. Skin : coarse 
and rough, at first of a dark green colour, covered with large, brown, russet dots, but assuming a dull 
greenish yellow colour on attaining maturity, when the numerous large russet dots become grey ; 
sometimes on the side exposed to the sun it assumes a faint orange tinge. Eye : small and open, 
with a dry, rigid, bony calyx of no regular form, set in pretty deep, wide, and even basin. Stalk: 
three quarters of an inch long, stout, and somewhat fleshy at the insertion, and placed in a small 
narrow cavity. Flesh : yellowish, fine grained, quite melting, very juicy and sugary, with a pleasant 
aroma. 
A most delicious late pear, in season from February to April. A fit successor to Winter 
Nelis and Knight's Monarch , and higher praise could scarcely be given to it. 
The tree is very hardy, and bears well. It is so valuable a variety, that it should be grown 
wherever pears succeed. 
