86 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
ALEXANDRE DE RUSSIE.— Hort. 
Identification. —Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3. n. 3. Lindl. Grnide, 363. 
Synonymes. —Kaiser Alexander, Diet Kernobst, i. b. 204. Beurre Alexandre, Ditt. 
Handb. i. 697. 
Figure. —Biel Kernobst , i. b. 
Fruit above medium size, inches long and 2f at the widest part. It is 
of a somewhat pyramidal shape, and slightly curved, and diminishes more 
towards the stalk than the eye ; the surface is very uneven and knobbed. Skin 
smooth, of a light green colour at first, but becoming yellowish green as it 
ripens, and with a tinge of brownish red on the side which is exposed to the 
sun, where, also, it is wholly or partially covered with fine pale brown russet, 
either in streaks or large patches. Eye open, with generally stiff and long 
segments, set in a shallow and narrow basin, surrounded with rather prominent 
plaits. Stalk stout and fleshy, three-quarters of an inch long, inserted a little 
on one side, in a small narrow cavity, with a fleshy protuberance on one side 
of it. Flesh white and gritty, but very juicy, tender, and buttery, with a rich 
aromatic and sugary flavour. 
An excellent dessert Pear, ripe in the end of October, and continues in use 
about a fortnight. The time to have it in perfection is when the skin becomes 
yellowish. 
The tree is a strong grower, and attains a large size. It succeeds well as a 
standard, and is an excellent bearer. It was raised by M. Bouvier, of Jodoigne, 
in Belgium, and named in honour of the Emperor Alexander of Russia. 
ALEXANDRINE H^LIE.— Van Mons. 
This is one of the posthumous varieties of Dr. Van Mons, w r hich I received 
from Belgium in 1850. I have not yet seen the fruit in this country; but it is 
described by the person who sent it to me as being of medium size, first-rate 
quality, with melting flesh. The tree attains the medium size, succeeds well 
as a standard, and is an excellent bearer, either on the pear or quince. The 
fruit ripens in November. 
ALEXANDRINE DOUILLARD.— Bivort. 
Identification and Figure. —Annales de Pom. ii. 41. 
Fruit large, 3^ inches high and 2f wide, pyriform. Skin yellowish grey, 
becoming brighter at maturity. Eye small, with downy segments, placed in a 
slightly depressed basin. Stalk three-quarters of an inch long, slender, curved, 
swollen at the point of junction with the fruit, and inserted in a slight cavity. 
Flesh white, fine-grained, juicy, agreeably-flavoured, sweet, and perfumed. 
A dessert Pear, ripe in November and December. The tree is very 
vigorous in its growth, and healthy; it forms a handsome pyramid, and is weil 
adapted for a standard. 
This variety was raised by M. Douillard, jun., architect, of Nantes, and 
first produced fruit in 1849. 
ALPHA.— Van Mons. 
Identification. —Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3. n. 4. Down. Fr. Amer. 348. 
Fruit medium-sized, obovate, inclining to oblong. Skin smooth, pale yel¬ 
lowish green on the shaded side, and pale brown, dotted with minute reddish 
dots, on the side exposed to the sun. Eye open, with short rigid segments, 
and set in a round basin. Stalk an inch long, not deeply inserted. Flesh 
white, tender, buttery, and pleasantly-flavoured. 
A dessert Pear, of second-rate quality; ripe in October. The tree is an 
