242 
THE FLORIST AND P0M0L0GIST. 
been seen to figure as distinct in catalogues and collections, and to make an 
honourable appearance in the public exhibitions. 
It was named at first in our country Poire de Monsieur le Cure , and it was 
abridged by being called Poire Monsieur (wrongfully, since another very dif¬ 
ferent Pear was already designated under this name in the catalogues). It is 
this last name that has been given to it exclusively for forty years to this day 
in our communes of Villiers, Clion, Paunay, &c., where this Pear is extensively 
propagated. It is particularly in that of Villiers that it is most seen. In re¬ 
producing our Pear the nurserymen of Chateauroux and of Tours inserted it 
in their catalogues under its first name of Poire de M. le Cure , which they 
abridged subsequently to Poire Cure , or Curette. It is under this last name 
and that of Belle de Berry , that I have met with it in our great exhibitions at 
Paris; but very lately I have seen it mentioned in the catalogue of a noted 
horticulturist of the capital under the names of Belle de Berry, Andreine, and 
Cure. Why Andreine ? Has any one wished to appropriate it to himself 
under this name ? 
The different names that have been given to our Pear only make con¬ 
fusion in the nomenclature. That of Andreine ought to be absolutely rejected 
as not having any connection with the fruit, and as having been substituted 
arbitrarily and without plausible motive, to names become popular in the 
country. These, Poire de M. le Cure, Poire Monsieur, Poire Cure, or Curette, 
though they have the priority are very vague, they do not indicate any locality, 
and recall very imperfectly the memory of the discoverer, I was about to say 
the benefactor, to whom we are indebted for it. 
The name of Belle de Berry appears to me more acceptable, if it does not 
leave undetermined, as our province is extensive, the small country where our 
Pear had its origin. That of Villiers, which so well suits it could not be ap¬ 
plied without inconvenience as it is too general. I should prefer that of Belle 
de Fromenteau , which would have the advantage of gathering up different 
recollections. Fromenteau and Villiers touch each other; the one the chateau, 
and ancient seignority; the other the parish situated on the uncertain limits 
of Tourraine and of Berry. These places carry one back to the early child¬ 
hood of Agnes Sorel. They have given a beautiful and good Pear to our 
gardens, and to France one of her most celebrated women. But with this name 
of Belle de Fromenteau I would wish that another name was not separated from 
it which ought to be reserved for this Pear in preference to all the others. It 
is that of the worthy cure of Villiers, who has endowed our country and horti¬ 
culture with one of the most remarkable fruits. 
M. Decaisne has obligingly communicated to me the list of names which 
have been applied to the Pear Cure :— 
Pastorale. 
Gros Allongee. 
Patemotte. 
Cuillette d’Hiver. 
Be Clion. 
Monsieur. 
Monsieur le Cure. 
Messire d’Hiver. 
Belle Andreine. 
Belle Andriane. 
Belle Andrienne. 
Belle Helo'ise. 
Belle de Berry. 
J ouffroy. 
Comice de Toulon. 
Pradel. 
Vicar of Winkfield. 
Bon Papa. 
IVY SCREENS. 
There are few old-fashioned customs that give gardeners who have to deal 
with them more trouble, and, very often, greater annoyance than keepiug these 
screens alive and healthy in a drawing-room through all the winter months ; 
and this was more particularly the case when the old system was carried out of 
