MAY. 
89 
VAN MONS LEON LECLERC PEAR. 
WITH AN ILLUSTRATION. 
It is now about twenty-five years since the subject of our present illustra¬ 
tion was introduced into this country. At that time the cultivation of fruits had 
not acquired that great development which is so characteristic of the horti¬ 
culture of the present day, and it was not till many years after its introduction 
that Van Mons Leon Leclerc was recognised as one of the best Pears. Even 
now it is not so much grown as its great merit recommends it to be. 
This excellent Pear was raised by M. Leon Leclerc, at Laval, in the depart¬ 
ment of Mayenne, France. It is not known exactly what was its parent, for 
M. Leclerc had sown seeds of St. Germain, Glou Morceau, and Easter Beurre 
but judging from the appearances we should be inclined to suppose that it has 
taken its origin from the St. Germain. The tree first produced fruit in 1828 ; 
and in October, 1837, M. Leclerc sent specimens of the fruit through M. Vilmorin 
to a meeting of the Paris Horticultural Society, with the following note : — 
“M. Van Mons has not only handsomely accepted the dedication of this 
Pear in declaring to me that he regards it in all respects of the first rank, but 
also, by a refinement of politasse, he has exacted that the name of the raiser who, 
paid him this compliment should be placed in continuation with his own, for the 
sake of distinction. This is, then, the Pear Van Mons Leon Leclerc. This ex¬ 
planation was necessary to justify such a designation.” 
The fruit is of the largest size of dessert Pears, and is of an oblong shape, 
uneven and undulating in its outline. The skin is of a pale dull yellow colour, 
covered with russet dots and traces of russet. Eye open, with spreading seg¬ 
ments, set in a very shallow basin. Stalk from 1 to 1 j inch long, set on the 
end of the fruit with a slight depression, or obliquely without any depression. 
Flesh yellowish white, buttery and melting, very juicy, sugary, rich, and deli¬ 
ciously flavoured. 
A dessert Pear of first-rate excellence, which ought to be grown in every 
collection. It ripens in the end of October and during November. 
EARLY-FLOWERING TULIPS. 
I am so fond of the beautiful tribe of spring flowers that I must be par¬ 
doned for this annual reference to them. 1 contend strongly and earnestly for 
their use in out-door spring gardening, because they are easily accessible, highly 
attractive, and deeply interesting. At this time I have in my own garden some 
eighty varieties of early single and double Tulips, of all shades of colour, from 
the pure white of White Pottebakker and Alida, down to the rich dark crim¬ 
son of Couronne Pourpre, or the fine shade of violet-purple of Van der Neer; 
and many a neighbour and passer-by stops to look and admire, touched by those 
subtle forces we call “ beauties of nature,” that can and do powerfully influence 
the heart of humanity. These flowers commenced to bloom a month ago, and 
they will continue in beauty nearly to the end of May. With a few Snowdrops, 
Aconites, Crocus, and Scillas to “ open the ball,” w T hat could be better adapted 
for spring gardening, seeing that the series would give an average of bloom ex¬ 
tending over a period of three months ? Let me here observe that such a re¬ 
sult is attained if soil and situation be appropriate. My plot of ground is open 
to the influence of the sun till mid-day. The top soil was very shallow and 
clayey, resting indeed on a clay subsoil; and having been undisturbed for some 
VOL. v. F 
