108 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
December l(i. 
COVENT GARDEN. 
Foi.t.owieu up oiu* remarks on the subject which has 
occupied our attention for the last two or three weeks, 
wo come now to the consideration of the Pear. And 
here we would observe, that there is even greater room 
for improvement in the selection of its varieties than is 
necessary in the Apple. Even in the oldest orchards 
composed of Apples we find many first-rate established 
varieties; but it is not so as regards the Pear; and the 
reason is because it is only of late years that we have 
been made acipainted with that new race of varieties, 
for which the world is indebted to the genius of Dr. 
Van Mons. However much our ancestor's may have 
been disposed to e.Ktend the cultivation of this as a 
winter fruit, they could not, for it had not been brought 
to the same degree of perfection as the Apple, and thus 
it is that our markets are so badly supplied during the 
winter months with such a succession of first-rate Pears 
as they are with Apjtles. All the Pears which are 
brought to market in any quantity are of the earlier 
kinds, and it would amount to an impossibility for any 
one to go to Covent-garden market during this and the 
following months and procure this fruit in the same 
quantity as they could two or three months ago. But 
still they can do so with the Apple, and what we want, 
is that they should do so with the same facility with the 
Pear. While Apples are now being sold, and will con¬ 
tinue for the next four or five months to be sold at per 
bushel, we have Pears offered at per dozen, and per half 
sieve. Surely, then, this is a subject worth engaging 
the attention of those who have even a small portion of 
ground which may be occupied by such a crop. 
In the following selection, w'e have chosen those 
which may be regarded as peculiarly rich in flavour, 
and such as would always command the best price in 
the markets. The late varieties, particularly, would 
amply remunerate the grower for any outlay he may 
incur. As before, we shall take them in the order of 
their ripening, and as the great object with cultivators 
is to have their produce either very early, or very late, 
we have studied the two extremes. 
1. Doyenne cTete. —The earliest Pear which is worth 
cultivating, but it is very little known in this country. 
It is not of a large size, being considerably smaller 
than the White Doyenne, but for a Pear which is ripe 
in July, it is of good size and excellent flavour, being 
in this latter respect not unlike the old Jargonelle. 
2. Citron des Garmes. —This is an old-fashioned but 
excellent early summer Pear, and admirably adapted 
for orchard planting, the tree being a strong and 
vigorous grower, an early and abundant bearer, and 
succeeding well even in exposed situations. It ripens 
in the early part of August. 
3. Williams's Bon Chretien. —We have been doubtful 
whether or not we are doing right in recommending this, 
the most delightfid of Pears, to the notice of our friends. 
It is a very uncertain bearer, and those who depend 
upon it for a crop will bo subjected to very frequent 
disappointments. Still, however, as we have before re¬ 
marked, we are only treating now on what may be 
called economical planting, and, therefore, we venture 
to include this excellent variety, ilost people, now-a- 
days, know Williams's Bon Chretien, but if there arc 
any who do not, let them by all means procure a tree. 
The fruit ripens in August, and continues in use during 
the greater part of September. 
4. Beurre d'Amalis. —This is a variety which for a 
few years past has been rather largely imported from 
the Continent, and has become so great a favourite in 
Covent-garden, that many of our largest growers have 
made considerable plantations of it. None know better 
than the London market-gardeners what to plant, and 
we can seldom be far wrong in treading closely at their 
heels. This is a splendid early autumn Pear, of very 
large size, handsome shape, and delicious flavoui'. It 
ripens in September. 
5. Dunmore. —T’his is one of those delightful varieties 
raised by Mr. T. A. Knight. It is of large size, and of 
a particularly rich flavour. Every orchard and garden 
should have it. It ripens in September. 
6. Seclsel.- —Of all the Pears we know at this season, 
we know of none to surpass or even to equal the little 
Seckel. It is originally from America, but it succeeds 
to perfection in this climate, it is remarkably rich in 
flavour, and when fully ripe seems as if charged with a 
powerfully aromatic sirupy juice. It ripens in October. 
7. Beurre de Cafiauniont. —This of late years has 
been very abundant in our markets, and lias become 
deservedly popular. It is w'ell adapted for orchard 
planting, being a most abundant bearer, and a beautiful, 
handsome, and excellent fruit. It ripens in October. 
8. Jersey Oratioli. —This is a particularly fine Pear, 
and, if we are not mistaken, we spoke in very high 
terms of it in some of our early reports. By w'ay of 
climax, we can only say, wherever there is a garden, 
there should this Pear be. It ripens in October. 
!). Marie Louise. —There are none of the Belgian 
Pears which seem to have had such an extended cul¬ 
tivation as the Marie Louise. It is now as common in 
the markets, and on the fruit-stalls, as the old Swan’s 
Egg used to be. It is a most delightful and valuable 
Pear. The tree is extremely hardy, and bears well. It 
ripens in October, and lasts till the end of November. 
10. Figuede Naples. —This is a Pear of good size and 
of the finest quality. It is comparatively little known, 
but should always find a place in every collection. The 
flesh is very buttery, fine-grained, and melting, w’ith a 
particularly rich, sugary, and aromatic flavour. The 
tree is a most abundant bearer. The fruit ripens in 
November. 
U. Passe Colmar. —A most delicious Pear, and cer¬ 
tainly one of the richest-flavoured we know when it is 
met with in iierfection. Its flesh is very fine-grained, 
very juicy, buttery, melting, sugary and vinous, with 
a rich aromatic flavour. It ripens in November, and 
continues over December. 
12. Napoleon.—Dx. Diel said of this Pear, that one 
may be said to drink, rather than eat it. Its flesh is 
tender, melting, and juiey, and very richly-flavoured. It 
