Chapter IV: Leading Varieties of Pears (4)

Leaf-buds short, obtuse, plump, appressed. Leaves 2-1/4 in. long, 1-1/4 in. wide, leathery; apex taper-pointed; margin finely serrate; petiole 1-3/4 in. long. Flower-buds short, plump, free; flowers early, 1-3/8 in. across, white, occasionally tinged with pink, well distributed, average 7 buds in a cluster; pedicels 3/4 in. long, slender, thinly pubescent.

Fruit ripe December to February; medium in size, 2-1/2 in. long, 2-3/8 in. wide, turbinate, inclined to truncate; stem long, very thick; cavity obtuse, shallow, narrow, slightly furrowed; calyx large, open; lobes short, broad, obtuse; basin narrow, obtuse, smooth; skin thick, tough, dull; color pale greenish-yellow, netted and patched more or less with russet; dots numerous, small, brown or russet, conspicuous; flesh light salmon, granular, melting, buttery, very juicy, sweet, slightly aromatic; quality good. Core large, closed, axile, with clasping core-lines; calyx-tube short, wide; carpels pyriform; seeds large, wide, long, plump, acuminate.

KIEFFER

=1.= _Gard. Mon._ =22=:49, fig. 1880. =2.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Cat._ 38. 1883. =3.= _Jour. Hort._ 3rd Ser. =12=:131. 1886. =4.= _Garden_ =68=:398. 1905. =5.= _Ibid._ =69=:68. 1906. =6.= _Cornell Sta. Bul._ =332=:483. 1913. =7.= _Country Gent._ =84=:26, fig. 1919.

_Kieffer's Hybrid._ =8.= _W. N. Y. Hort. Soc. Rpt._ 53. 1879.

_Keiffer._ =9.= Downing _Fr. Trees Am._ 3rd App. 179. 1881. =10.= Mathieu _Nom. Pom._ 240. 1889. =11.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt._ 178. 1909.

Although the most pretentious cheat in the orchard, Kieffer is grown more commonly than any other pear in North America. Its popularity can be accounted for only by accepting Barnum's dictum that "Americans love to be fooled." Pears are grown to eat, but those of Kieffer are fit to eat only in culinary preparations, dire necessity alone compelling their consumption uncooked. Yet, pleased by a bright cheek and a fair form, regardless of the potato-like flavor, people buy and eat Kieffer pears and persist in doing so. There are several reasons why Kieffer is popular. No pear has been advertised so widely and so unqualifiedly, growers of trees often supplying virtues to the variety which Nature denies it, because of all pears the trees of Kieffer are most easily grown. Besides this virtue in the trees there are several others that commend the variety more highly. Thus, of all pears grown in America, the trees are uniformly the most vigorous, fruitful, endure heat best, are least susceptible to blight, and withstand best the ravages of San José scale. There are several faults, however; the trees are tender to cold, in some soils refuse to set fruit, are often self-sterile, and sometimes with the best of care bear only pears of small size. Worthless for dessert, much can be said for the fruits of Kieffer for culinary preparation. Cooking removes the disagreeable natural taste of the raw pear, and leaves a good product. Canned, the pears retain their shape, color, and flavor well; therefore, and because white and inviting, canned Kieffers are preferred by commercial canners. Use in the cannery is the true place for Kieffer pears in regions where better sorts can be grown for dessert. Now that the first flush of popularity is past, it would seem a wise precaution on the part of pear-growers to grow this fruit chiefly for the cannery, supplying the demands for dessert pears with worthier varieties, although as long as consumers buy it to eat out of hand, growers cannot be blamed for growing it in commercial orchards.

The seed parent of Kieffer was the Sand pear of China. Peter Kieffer,[30] who lived at Roxborough, near Philadelphia, for many years grew the Chinese Sand pear and sold the trees for ornamental purposes. In his garden there were also trees of Bartlett. Among chance seedlings, Mr. Kieffer observed one of peculiar growth which he saved. This tree bore fruit first in 1863. Later, it was exhibited at the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, and finally at the Centennial Exposition where in 1876 it was named Kieffer. The variety was added to the fruit-list of the American Pomological Society in 1883.

Tree of medium size, vigorous, upright, dense-topped, hardy, very productive; branches slender, nearly smooth, reddish-brown, covered with dull ash-gray scarf-skin, marked with few small lenticels; branchlets medium to long, reddish-brown mingled with green, smooth, slightly pubescent, with numerous, large, raised, very conspicuous lenticels.

Leaf-buds small, short, obtuse, slightly pointed, appressed. Leaves 3-1/4 in. long, 1-3/4 in. wide, oval, thick, leathery; apex taper-pointed; margin often finely serrate; petiole 1-7/8 in. long. Flower-buds conical to pointed, free; flowers open early, 1-5/8 in. across, fairly well distributed, varying from 3 to 11 buds in a cluster; pedicels 1-1/8 in. long, thick, very slightly pubescent, green, rarely tinged red.

Fruit matures in late October and November; above medium to large, 2-3/4 in. long, 2-1/4 in. wide, oval, narrowing at both ends, symmetrical, uniform; stem 1 in. long, thick; cavity very small, smooth; calyx open; lobes separated at the base, short, narrow, acute; basin shallow, narrow, obtuse, nearly smooth; skin thick, tough, smooth; color yellow, blushed with dull red on the exposed cheek; dots numerous, small, russet, conspicuous; flesh yellowish-white, very granular and coarse, crisp, juicy, not sweet, often astringent; quality poor. Core large, closed, with clasping core-lines; calyx-tube short, wide, conical; seeds wide, plump, acute.

KINGSESSING

=1.= _Mag. Hort._ =13=:450. 1847. =2.= _Ibid._ =19=:453, 516, fig. 32. 1853. =3.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt._ 231. 1858. =4.= Downing _Fr. Trees Am._ 795. 1869.

A summing up of the characters of Kingsessing, as is so often the case with varieties of fruits, makes it appear a most desirable sort. Nevertheless, its culture does not make headway. Growers rate it as a "good pear," but will not grow it, for the reason, no doubt, that it has no outstanding characters for any region, season, or purpose. As the pears grow on the grounds of the New York Agricultural Experiment Station they are a little under size for a good commercial fruit, and while the sweet, perfumed flavor is pleasant, it lacks individuality. The variety is grown chiefly along the Atlantic Coast from Long Island to Maryland.

This is a natural seedling which sprang up in the family burial ground of Isaac Leech, Kingsessing, a suburb of Philadelphia, about 1833. The tree first fruited about 1843. Dr. Brincklé, who introduced the variety, thought from its close resemblance to Chapman that it was probably a seedling from it, or of its parent, the Petre, as trees of both these varieties stood in the vicinity of the Kingsessing. The American Pomological Society placed Kingsessing on its fruit-list in 1858 but dropped it in 1899.

Tree very large and vigorous, upright-spreading, dense-topped, rapid-growing, hardy, medium in yield; trunk very thick; branches very stocky, grayish-brown, sprinkled with numerous large lenticels; branchlets thick, long, glossy, smooth, glabrous, with numerous rather small, raised, conspicuous lenticels.

Leaf-buds large, long, conical, free. Leaves 2-1/4 in. long, 1-3/8 in. wide; apex abruptly pointed; margin glandular, finely serrate; petiole 1-3/4 in. long. Flower-buds large, conical, free.

Fruit ripens in September and October; medium in size, 2-3/8 in. long, 2-1/8 in. wide, obovate-obtuse-pyriform; stem 1/2 in. long, thick, usually curved, fleshy at the point of insertion in the fruit; cavity obtuse, shallow, slightly furrowed, occasionally lipped; calyx partly open; lobes separated at the base, short, narrow, acute; basin shallow, gently furrowed, usually symmetrical; skin granular, tender, roughish; color yellow, sprinkled and netted with russet, with a thin brownish-red blush on the exposed cheek; dots numerous, grayish or russet, small, conspicuous; flesh white, granular, tender and melting, sweet, aromatic; quality good. Core closed, with clasping core-lines; calyx-tube short, wide, conical; seeds wide, long, plump, acute.

KOONCE

=1.= _Ill. Hort. Soc. Rpt._ 159. 1889. =2.= _Ibid._ 55. 1895. =3.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt._ 44. 1897. =4.= Budd-Hansen _Am. Hort. Man._ =2=:251. 1903. =5.= _Chico Nur. Cat._ 12. 1904. =6.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Cat._ 41. 1909. =7.= Ont. Dept. _Agr. Fr. Ont._ 168. 1914.

Koonce is a popular early variety grown rather commonly in nearly every pear region in the United States. It is listed by nearly all nurserymen. Its tree-characters are more notable than those of its fruits. The trees make a splendid showing in the nursery and are hardy and productive in the orchard, although of but medium size and rather straggling at maturity. The pears are better in quality than those of Early Harvest or Lawson, with which it often competes, but are hardly as attractive in appearance, being rather small and often irregular in shape. The color is unusually bright, especially on the red cheek. The pears decay quickly after maturity and are suitable only for home and local markets.

This pear originated in southern Illinois but no one seems to know by whom, or at what time, or in what locality in the State. The variety has been grown for more than thirty years. The American Pomological Society added Koonce to its list of fruits in 1909.

Tree medium in size and vigor, upright-spreading, scraggly, open-topped, hardy, productive; trunk shaggy; branches zigzag, dark brownish-red, covered with thick grayish scarf-skin, with few lenticels; branchlets thick, long, with long internodes, dull light brown, smooth, glabrous, sprinkled with small, raised, elongated lenticels.

Leaf-buds small, short, conical, pointed, plump, appressed; leaf-scars prominent. Leaves 2-1/2 in. long, 1-1/2 in. wide, stiff; apex taper-pointed; margin glandular, finely serrate; petiole 1-1/2 in. long. Flower-buds short, obtuse or conical, plump, free; flowers showy, 1-1/4 in. across, in dense clusters, average 5 buds in a cluster; pedicels 7/8 in. long, slender, pubescent.

Fruit ripens in August; medium in size, 2-3/8 in. long, 2-1/4 in. wide, obovate-obtuse-pyriform, with unequal sides; stem 1-1/4 in. long, thick; cavity obtuse, shallow, narrow, compressed, lipped or often drawn up in a wrinkled fold about the base of the stem; calyx open; lobes separated at the base, narrow, acuminate; basin obtuse, gently furrowed; skin thick, tough, roughish; color pale greenish-yellow, with a dull reddish-brown blush spreading over the exposed cheek; dots numerous, very small, greenish-russet, conspicuous; flesh whitish, granular especially at the center, medium tender, juicy, aromatic, sweet but vinous; quality good. Core small, closed, with clasping core-lines; calyx-tube short, wide, conical; seeds small, narrow, short, plump, acute.

LAMY

=1.= Ragan _Nom. Pear_, _B. P. I. Bul._ =126=:161. 1908.

_Comte de Lamy._ =2.= Kenrick _Am. Orch._ 141. 1841. =3.= Downing _Fr. Trees Am._ 371, fig. 158. 1845. =4.= _Gard. Chron._ 20, fig. 1846. =5.= Downing _Fr. Trees Am._ 727. 1869. =6.= _Jour. Hort._ N. S. =38=:359, fig. 52. 1880. =7.= Hogg _Fruit Man._ 553. 1884.

_Poire Dingler._ =8.= _Ann. Pom. Belge_ =2=:69, Pl. 1854.

_Beurré Curtet._ =9.= _Pom. France_ =2=: No. 77, Pl. 77. 1864. =10.= Leroy _Dict. Pom._ =1=:341, figs. 1867. =11.= _Guide Prat._ 65, 243. 1876.

_Curtet's Butterbirne._ =12.= Mathieu _Nom. Pom._ 200. 1889.

As the history shows, this is an old European pear which had its probationary period in America many years ago, and which never got out of the limbo of nurserymen's catalogs and collections. On the grounds of the New York Agricultural Experiment Station, however, the pears are so handsome and so delectable in quality that the variety seems quite worth while describing and illustrating among the major sorts. It is a splendid pear for the home orchard, but the tree is not large nor robust enough for a commercial plantation. A few nurserymen still list it.

This variety was raised from seed about 1828 by M. Bouvier, Jodoigne, Belgium. It was first named _Beurré Curtet_ in honor of M. Curtet, a physician and professor at Brussels. The London Horticultural Society first obtained the variety under the name _Comte de Lamy_, by which name it has best been known in England. Lamy was early introduced to America where trees have long been found in collections.

Tree small, spreading, open-topped, hardy, productive; trunk slender, shaggy; branches slender, shaggy, dull brown, overspread with thick scarf-skin, sprinkled with numerous lenticels; branchlets slender, curved, short, with short internodes, brown changing to reddish-brown on the newer growth, glossy, smooth, glabrous, with small, raised, conspicuous lenticels.

Leaf-buds small, short, conical, pointed, plump, free. Leaves 2-3/4 in. long, 1-3/4 in. wide, leathery; apex taper-pointed; margin finely serrate to nearly entire, tipped with few minute glands; petiole 1-7/8 in. long, pinkish. Flower-buds large, thick, long, conical, very plump, free, singly as lateral buds or on very short spurs; flowers late, very showy, 1-3/4 in. across, in dense clusters, average 9 buds in a cluster; pedicels 5/8 in. long, thick, lightly pubescent.

Fruit matures in late October and early November; medium in size, 2-1/8 in. long, 2 in. wide, obovate-obtuse-pyriform, often irregular and with unequal sides; stem 1-1/8 in. long, thick; cavity almost lacking, very obtuse and shallow, narrow, russeted, often lipped; calyx open; lobes broad, acute; basin rather deep, obtuse or abrupt, gently furrowed, compressed; skin thin, smooth except for the russet dots, dull; color yellow, with a solid, dark red blush on the exposed cheek; dots numerous, large, brownish-russet, very conspicuous; flesh tinged with yellow, granular at the center, tender and melting, buttery, juicy, sweet, with a faint, vinous flavor, pleasantly aromatic; quality good to very good. Core large, closed, with clasping core-lines; calyx-tube short, very wide, conical; seeds large, wide, plump, acute.

LAWRENCE

=1.= Kenrick _Am. Orch._ 169. 1841. =2.= _Mass. Hort. Soc. Rpt._ 4. 1843. =3.= _Mag. Hort._ =10=:212. 1844. =4.= Downing _Fr. Trees Am._ 442. 1845. =5.= _Mag. Hort._ =12=:432, fig. 29. 1846. =6.= Hovey _Fr. Am._ =2=:13, Pl. 1851. =7.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt._ 230. 1854. =8.= Downing _Fr. Trees Am._ 440, fig. 1857. =9.= Thomas _Am. Fruit Cult._ 480. 1897.

There is great diversity of opinion as to the value of Lawrence for a market pear, but no one denies it a place as one of the very best early winter pears for the home orchard. A generation ago it was held in high esteem as a market pear, but the more showy Kieffer, kept in cold storage, has elbowed the less conspicuous Lawrence off the fruit-stands and almost out of the markets. The tree is hardy, moderately vigorous and fruitful, an early, annual, and uniform bearer, and has the reputation of being one of the longest lived of all pear trees. The fruits are of but medium size, but are shapely in form, trim in contour, and are distinctive in shape because of the rounded, truncate stem end. In color, the pear is a bright, clean lemon-yellow marked with patches of russet and faintly blushed on the side to the sun. No yellow pear is more attractive. The fruits come in season in early winter and have the excellent character of keeping well under ordinary care for a full month or longer. The melting flesh abounds with a rich, sugary, perfumed juice, by virtue of which it is justly esteemed as the best-flavored pear of its season. Lawrence finds congenial soils and climates in nearly every part of New York, and should have a place in every home orchard in the State.

Lawrence is a native of Flushing, Long Island, and was first introduced to growers by Wilcomb and King of Flushing, who sent specimens of it in 1843 to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, saying that it appeared to be a cross between the old Saint Germain and White Doyenné, "as it resembles both of them in wood, foliage, and fruit, and there is no other variety in the neighborhood." The variety rapidly found favor among pear growers and was soon widely disseminated. The American Pomological Society added Lawrence to its fruit-catalog in 1854.

Tree of medium size, vigorous, spreading, with drooping branches, very hardy, productive; trunk shaggy; branches smooth, zigzag, reddish-brown mingled with ash-gray scarf-skin, with numerous large lenticels; branchlets reddish-brown, glossy, smooth, glabrous, with slightly raised, conspicuous lenticels.

Leaf-buds short, obtuse, plump, nearly free. Leaves 2-1/2 in. long, 1-1/4 in. wide, oval, leathery; margin finely serrate; petiole 1-3/4 in. long, slender; stipules rudimentary. Flower-buds hardy, conical or pointed, free; flowers open early, 1-3/8 in. across, in rather dense clusters, from 8 to 12 buds in a cluster; pedicels 7/8 in. long, lightly pubescent, greenish.

Fruit ripe November to December; medium in size, 2-5/8 in. long, 2-1/8 in. wide, uniform in size and shape, obovate-obtuse-pyriform, generally symmetrical; stem 1 in. long, thick, slightly curved; cavity small, obtuse, shallow, narrow, russeted, furrowed and irregular, often lipped; calyx large, partly open; lobes separated at the base, long, broad, acute; basin wide, obtuse, furrowed and sometimes corrugated; skin thick and granular, tough, roughish; color lemon-yellow, marked with occasional patches of russet and with a faint russet-red blush on the exposed cheek; dots numerous, small, russet, inconspicuous; flesh yellowish-white, firm, granular, tender and melting when fully mature, juicy, rich, sweet; quality very good. Core large, closed, with clasping core-lines; calyx-tube short, wide, conical; seeds large, long, plump, acute.

LAWSON

=1.= _Rural N. Y._ =43=:651, fig. 385. 1884. =2.= _Gard. Mon._ =27=:282. 1885. =3.= _Rural N. Y._ =44=:693. 1885. =4.= _Gard. & For._ =5=:414. 1892. =5.= Van Lindley _Cat._ 22. 1892. =6.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Cat._ 36. 1899. =7.= Ont. Dept. Agr. _Fr. Ont._ 168. 1914. =8.= Cal. Com. Hort. _Pear Grow. Cal._ =7=:266, fig. 67. 1918.

_Comet._ =9.= _Gard. Mon._ =27=:144. 1885.

_Cometbirne._ =10.= Mathieu _Nom. Pom._ 198. 1889.

Of all early pears, the fruit of Lawson best satisfies the eye for bright colors. It is as brightly colored as the brilliant Vermont Beauty or as Mount Vernon. Another outstanding character is the small core, which, though the pears ripen early and quickly, seldom softens unduly. The pears are sometimes nearly or quite seedless. Unfortunately, the fruits are often irregular in shape, and in quality are never more than mediocre. The tree is fairly healthy, vigorous, hardy, and free from blight, and is characterized by its tall, upright growth. Although grown for more than a hundred years in New York, the variety has never made headway in this State, but seems to be attracting much attention on the Pacific slope.

This pear originated on the farm of a Mr. Lawson in Ulster County, New York, about 1800, judging from the appearance of the original tree which was standing in 1900. The variety was introduced toward the end of the nineteenth century under the name _Comet_ by reason of its color, so that it is sometimes known as _Lawson Comet_. The American Pomological Society added Lawson to its fruit-catalog in 1899.

Tree medium in size, vigorous, upright, dense-topped, very productive; branches slender, zigzag, reddish-brown overlaid with grayish scarf-skin, marked with numerous raised, large lenticels; branchlets slender, very long, with characteristically long internodes, rough, zigzag, marked with numerous large, raised, conspicuous lenticels. Leaves 3-1/4 in. long, 1-3/4 in. wide; apex abruptly pointed; margin glandless, serrate; petiole 2 in. long. Flowers early, showy, 1-1/2 in. across, in dense clusters, 6 or 8 buds in a cluster; pedicels 1 in. long, thick.

Fruit ripens in August; large, 2-3/4 in. long, 3-1/4 in. wide, varies from obovate-obtuse-pyriform to globular-obtuse-pyriform, with unequal sides; stem 7/8 in. long, thick, curved, woody; cavity very small and narrow, often with a lip drawn up around one side of the stem; calyx partly open; lobes narrow, often reflexed; basin narrow, obtuse, gently furrowed; skin thin, tender, smooth; color pale yellow, overspread on the exposed cheek with a bright red blush; dots numerous, small, greenish or russet, obscure; flesh whitish or often salmon-color, firm, tough, medium juicy, lacking sweetness; quality poor. Core unusually small, closed, with clasping core-lines; calyx-tube short, wide; seeds short, wide, plump, obtuse, few in number.

LE CONTE

=1.= _Ga. Hort. Soc. Rpt._ 8, 29. 1878. =2.= _Ia. Hort. Soc. Rpt._ 303. 1879. =3.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Cat._ 38. 1883. =4.= _Gard. Mon._ =27=:282. 1885. =5.= _Ga. Hort. Soc. Rpt._ 55. 1885. =6.= Black _Cult. Peach & Pear_ 234. 1886. =7.= _Cornell Sta. Bul._ =332=:484. 1913. =8.= Ont. Dept. Agr. _Fr. Ont._ 169. 1914.

Le Conte is a hybrid between the Chinese Sand pear and a European sort, therefore similar in parentage to Kieffer which it greatly resembles in both tree and fruit. The fruits are rather poorer in quality than those of Kieffer, if that be possible for an edible fruit, and the tree is in no way superior to that of its better-known rival, but seems to succeed better in warm climates and light soils. There is, therefore, a place for Le Conte in the South, and possibly on parts of Long Island, if a pear is wanted for culinary purposes only. The fruits sometimes rot badly at the core, and should usually be harvested as soon as they attain full size. The trees are more susceptible to blight than those of Kieffer. In the South, the trees are often, if not usually, propagated from cuttings.

Le Conte originated in America, and is probably a hybrid between the Chinese Sand pear and some native. It is supposed to have been carried from Philadelphia to Georgia about 1850 by Major Le Conte, and has since been extensively cultivated in the southern States for northern markets. In 1885 it was recommended by the Georgia Horticultural Society for cultivation in the middle region of that State. The American Pomological Society added Le Conte to its fruit-catalog in 1883.

Tree medium in size, vigorous, upright, very productive, a regular bearer; branches strongly zigzag, brownish-red mingled with green and covered with scarf-skin; branchlets thick, reddish-brown mingled with green, smooth, pubescent on the new growth which later becomes glabrous, with numerous very small, conspicuous, raised lenticels.

Leaf-buds small, short, pointed, appressed. Leaves 3-1/4 in. long, 1-1/2 in. wide, long-ovate or long-oval, leathery; apex taper-pointed; margin finely serrate; petiole pale green, glabrous. Flower-buds small, short, conical, plump, free, arranged singly on very short spurs; flowers open very early, 1-1/4 in. across, in dense clusters, 7 to 10 buds in a cluster; pedicels 1 in. long, slender, lightly pubescent, pale green.

Fruit ripe late October to November; large, 3-1/16 in. long, 2-5/8 in. wide, uniform in size and shape, roundish-oval, tapering at both ends, ribbed, symmetrical; stem 1-1/8 in. long, very thick, often curved; cavity obtuse, very shallow and narrow, smooth, slightly furrowed and wrinkled, often compressed; calyx partly open; lobes usually dehiscent, separated at the base, short, narrow, acute; basin usually very deep, abrupt, gently furrowed; skin thick, tough, smooth; color pale yellow, occasionally marked with russet; dots numerous, small, russet, conspicuous; flesh white, firm, granular, stringy, tender, juicy, sweet, with a strong and disagreeable flavor; quality poor. Core very large, closed, axile, with meeting core-lines; calyx-tube short, wide, broadly conical; seeds large, 2 in each carpel, wide, long, very plump, acute.

LE LECTIER

=1.= Mathieu _Nom. Pom._ 246. 1889. =2.= _Guide Prat._ 95. 1895. =3.= _Rev. Hort._ 466. 1899. =4.= _Garden_ =59=:14, 93, 124. 1901. =5.= _Soc. Nat. Hort. France Pom._ 420, fig. 1904. =6.= _Cat. Cong. Pom. France_ 287, fig. 1906.

In size and beauty of fruit, Le Lectier surpasses most of its associates, and the quality is first rate in soils and climates to which the variety is suited. Unfortunately the tree, while very satisfactory in some situations, is capricious to both soils and climates, and is seldom at home on this side of the Atlantic. The season is December and January, when good pears are scarce, and it would seem that the fine, large fruits of this pear would be most acceptable for either home or market if it could be made to thrive. In Europe, it grows best on warm, rich soils.

Auguste Lesueur, a horticulturist at Orléans, France, obtained this late winter pear about 1882 as a cross between Bartlett and Fortunée. It was named after Le Lectier, the great pomologist of Orléans, who was growing in the year 1628 about 260 varieties of pears. The variety was introduced about 1889. In France, Le Lectier has been described as greatly superior in flavor, aroma, and sweetness to varieties of the same class having established reputations. In 1894, the Royal Horticultural Society of London recommended this variety for cultivation in England.

Tree medium in size, vigorous, upright, dense-topped, very productive; trunk and branches medium in thickness and smoothness; branchlets thick, curved, light brownish-red, tinged with green and overspread with grayish scarf-skin, glabrous, sprinkled with numerous raised, conspicuous lenticels.

Leaf-buds very small, short, pointed, plump, free. Leaves 2-7/8 in. long, 1-1/2 in. wide, thick; apex taper-pointed; margin glandular, finely serrate; petiole 2-1/4 in. long, slender. Flower-buds short, conical, plump, free, singly on very short spurs; flowers showy, 1-1/2 in. across, 8 or 10 buds in a cluster; pedicels 7/8 in. long.

Fruit ripens December to January; large, elongated-obovate-pyriform, often with a narrow neck; stem slender, rather short, enlarged at both ends, inserted obliquely; cavity irregular, often lipped; calyx variable in size, partly open; basin variable in size, abrupt, irregular; skin glossy, thin, with uneven surface; color yellow, mottled and faintly blushed on the exposed cheek with yellowish-bronze; dots inconspicuous, small; flesh white, fine-grained, melting, juicy, sweet, pleasantly aromatic; quality very good.

LÉON LECLERC (VAN MONS)

=1.= _Mass. Hort. Soc. Rpt._ 3. 1843. =2.= Downing _Fr. Trees Am._ 419, fig. 192. 1845. =3.= Hovey _Fr. Am._ =1=:9, Pl. 1851. =4.= _Ann. Pom. Belge_ =5=:51, Pl. 1857. =5.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt._ 70. 1862. =6.= _Pom. France_ =1=: No. 29, Pl. 29. 1863. =7.= _Jour. Hort._ N. S. =10=:366. 1866. =8.= Mas _Le Verger_ =3=: Pt. 1, 127, fig. 62. 1866-73. =9.= Leroy _Dict. Pom._ =2=:722, fig. 1869. =10.= _Jour. Hort._ 3rd Ser. =1=:573, fig. 103. 1880. =11.= _Cat. Cong. Pom. France_ 361, fig. 1906.

_Van Mons Butterbirne._ =12.= Lauche _Deut. Pom._ =II=: No. 65, Pl. 65. 1883. =13.= Mathieu _Nom. Pom._ 292. 1889.

A century ago this pear was being heralded in Europe as the best of all pears, and shortly afterward was introduced into the United States with highest praise. The variety is still popular in Europe, but its reputation there is not sustained here. The pear deserves a place among major varieties only because it fills a particular niche in the pear season, the crop coming in season between late fall and early winter at a time when there are few other good varieties. Were it not for one serious fault, however, the variety might take high rank in America. The fault is great susceptibility to the scab fungus. After Flemish Beauty, no other variety suffers as much both in fruit and foliage. Well grown in a congenial environment, on standard or quince stock, the pears are often as large as those of Duchesse d'Angoulême, with which they compare rather closely in shape. On well-grown specimens, also, the color is rich and beautiful. The flavor is sprightly and refreshing, which, with good flesh-characters, give the variety high rank for quality. There are no remarkable characters in the trees to recommend them, although they are quite up to the average in all characters either on pear or quince stocks. They are said to prefer a rich, deep soil. The variety is suitable only for collections.

This pear was obtained by M. Léon Leclerc, a distinguished pomologist living at Laval, France, who dedicated it to his friend Van Mons. Desiring to couple his own name with that of his friend, he gave it the name of _Van Mons Léon Leclerc_, by which appellation it has been known by most authors. The variety first fruited in 1828. There has been a good deal of confusion as to the identity of this pear, owing to the fact that Van Mons raised a pear in 1816 which he dedicated to Léon Leclerc. The proper name of the latter pear is _Léon Leclerc de Laval_. There is also a _Léon Leclerc de Louvain_. The variety under discussion was fruited in this country previous to 1843 by Marshall P. Wilder. The American Pomological Society added the variety to its fruit-catalog in 1862 but dropped it in 1869.

Tree medium in size, vigorous, spreading, open-topped, productive; trunk shaggy; branches roughish, reddish-brown, overspread with heavy, dull scarf-skin, with conspicuous, numerous, large lenticels; branchlets very slender and curved, short, with short internodes, light brown streaked with gray and tinged with green, dull, smooth, glabrous, with numerous small, conspicuous, raised lenticels.

Leaf-buds very small, short, pointed, appressed. Leaves 1-1/2 in. long, 3-1/4 in. wide, leathery; apex taper-pointed; margin glandless, entire; petiole 1-1/2 in. long, glabrous, reddish-green. Flower-buds small, short, conical, plump, free, singly on short spurs; flowers showy, 1-1/4 in. across, in dense racemes, 7 or 8 buds in a cluster; pedicels 5/8 in. long, pubescent.

Fruit ripe in late September and October; large, 3-3/8 in. long, 2-1/4 in. wide, oblong-pyriform, tapering to a very long, narrow neck; stem 1 in. long, thick, curved; cavity very small, compressed, usually lipped; calyx large, open; lobes separated at the base, broad, acute; basin shallow, narrow, obtuse, symmetrical; skin thick, tough, roughened by russet specks; color dull yellow, covered with dots and tracings of russet and occasionally with a faint russet-red blush; dots numerous, small, russet, conspicuous; flesh granular under the skin, nearly melting, juicy, subacid or with a peculiar sprightliness; quality good. Core large, closed, with clasping core-lines; calyx-tube short, narrow, conical; seeds large, wide, long, acute.

LINCOLN

=1.= _Mass. Hort. Soc. Rpt._ 88. 1845. =2.= _Ill. Hort. Soc. Rpt._ 196, Pls. 1894. =3.= _Mich. Hort. Soc. Rpt._ 141. 1894. =4.= _Ill. Hort. Soc. Rpt._ 42. 1889. =5.= _Rural N. Y._ =48=:754, figs. 275 and 276. 1889. =6.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Cat._ 36. 1899. =7.= Budd-Hansen _Am. Hort. Man._ =2=:253. 1903.

Nearly a hundred years old without having received favorable mention from pear growers, Lincoln has been brought from the limbo of lost fruits in recent years to take high rank in the list of pears for the Mississippi Valley. The variety is spoken of in such superlative terms for that region that judging from its behavior in New York, it would seem that western pear-growers give it attributes which Nature denies it. At best, in the East, the fruits are but mediocre in appearance and quality, falling below those of a dozen other varieties of the same season whether judged by the eye or the palate. In Illinois and Missouri, however, the fruits are spoken of as the handsomest and best. These are not regions in which many good pears grow, since the cold of winter, heat of summer, and pear-blight take toll from all but pears of the strongest constitution. Lincoln seems to possess a constitution to withstand these ills. At its best, the fruits of Lincoln seem comparable to those of Bartlett, which the western admirers of the variety say it resembles. In New York, comparisons of the fruits are all in favor of Bartlett, as are the trees in all characters excepting hardiness to heat and cold, and resistance to blight. The variety is valuable only in the Middle West.

This pear had its origin in a seedling grown in the spring of 1835 by Mrs. Maria Fleming, Corwin, Illinois, The original tree proved to be a vigorous grower as well as a heavy cropper, and was ultimately given the name of Lincoln. Augustine and Company of Normal, Illinois, propagated and distributed the variety about 1895. Young trees of the variety appear to be vigorous growers, free from blight and of high quality. The American Pomological Society added Lincoln to its list of fruits in 1899.

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, open-topped, hardy, very productive; trunk stocky, smooth; branches zigzag, greenish-brown, partly overspread with thin gray scarf-skin, marked on the younger wood with very numerous large, round lenticels; branchlets slender, very long, willowy, brownish-green overlaid with thin gray, dull, the new growth reddish-green, with numerous large, roundish, raised lenticels.

Leaf-buds very small, short, pointed, appressed. Leaves 3-1/2 in. long, 1-1/2 in. wide, stiff; apex variable; margin glandless, finely serrate; petiole 2-5/8 in. long, glabrous, tinged with red; stipules very long and slender, pinkish. Flower-buds small, short, conical, free, singly on short spurs; flowers 1-3/8 in. across, well distributed, average 5 buds in a cluster; pedicels 1-1/8 in. long, slender, pubescent.

Fruit matures in late August and September; medium in size, about 2-1/4 in. in length and width, roundish, with an obtuse neck, tapering very slightly; stem 1-1/8 in. long, slender; cavity a slight, narrow depression, occasionally lipped; calyx large, open; lobes separated at the base, long, acuminate; basin shallow, obtuse, smooth, symmetrical; skin thick, tender, roughish; color yellow, sprinkled with few russet lines and nettings; dots numerous, small, russet, conspicuous; flesh tinged with yellow, firm, coarse and granular, tender, very juicy, sweet, aromatic, pleasing but not richly flavored; quality good. Core unusually large, closed, with clasping core-lines; calyx-tube short, wide, conical; seeds large, very wide, long, plump, acuminate.

LINCOLN CORELESS

=1.= Parry _Cat._ 9, fig. 1891. =2.= _Ann. Hort._ 185. 1892. =3.= _Ill. Hort. Soc. Rpt._ 137. 1894. =4.= _Ibid._ 52, 178. 1896. =5.= _Rural N. Y._ =64=:256. 1905.

The product of Lincoln Coreless is worthless for dessert, and but a coarse makeshift for culinary purposes. The variety receives attention only because the pear is a monstrosity and a curiosity. The fruits are enormous in size, outweighing all other pears unless it be those of the Pound. They are unique in having a very small core and few or sometimes no seeds. They are further characterized by very late maturity, ripening later than those of any other pear on the grounds of this Station and keeping until April. While usually rather dull greenish-yellow in color, the cheek is often enlivened by a bright blush which makes the fruits rather attractive despite their grossness. The catalogs describe the trees as "blight proof," but they blight on the grounds of this Station. The variety is worth growing only as an interesting curiosity.

According to William Parry, Parry, New Jersey, Lincoln Coreless originated in Lincoln County, Tennessee, near the Alabama line, about 1830. The original tree was rated as productive and free from blight, and young trees propagated from it have been unusually healthy and vigorous. The variety was introduced about 1890 by William Parry.

Tree small, vigorous, upright, very dense, pyramidal, hardy, an uncertain bearer; trunk shaggy; branches smooth, zigzag, reddish-brown mingled with ash-gray, marked with small lenticels; branchlets short to medium, dull brown, smooth, glabrous, with conspicuous lenticels.

Leaf-buds large, obtuse, plump, appressed. Leaves 3 in. long, 1-5/8 in. wide, elongated-oval, leathery; apex taper-pointed; margin finely serrate; petiole 1-1/2 in. long, reddish; stipules very long. Flower-buds short, obtuse, plump, free; flowers 1-3/4 in. across, very large and showy, average 6 buds in a cluster; pedicels 1-5/8 in. long, thick, pubescent, pale green.

Fruit ripe in February; very large, 4-3/4 in. long, 3 in. wide, uniform in size, obovate-acute-pyriform, somewhat ribbed, with unequal sides; stem 1-3/8 in. long, thick, curved; cavity obtuse, shallow, narrow, russeted, furrowed, often lipped; calyx open, large; lobes separated at the base, narrow, acute; basin very shallow, narrow, obtuse, furrowed; skin very thick, tough, coarse and granular, smooth, dull; color greenish-yellow, with a handsome blush on the cheek exposed to the sun; dots many, brownish-russet, very conspicuous; flesh yellowish-white, very firm, granular at the core, crisp, tough, medium juicy, rather bitter and astringent; quality poor. Core closed, with clasping core-lines; calyx-tube long, wide, conical; seeds few, narrow, often abortive, acute.

LOUISE BONNE DE JERSEY

=1.= Kenrick _Am. Orch._ 148. 1841. =2.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt._ 53. 1852. =3.= Field _Pear Cult._ 218, fig. 81. 1858.

_Louise Bonne of Jersey._ =4.= Downing _Fr. Trees Am._ 397, fig. 174. 1845. =5.= Hovey _Fr. Am._ =1=:39, Pl. 1851. =6.= _Jour. Hort._ N. S. =38=:161, fig. 26. 1880. =7.= Hogg _Fruit Man._ 606. 1884.

_Gute Louise von Avranches._ =8.= Dochnahl _Führ. Obstkunde_ =2=:138. 1856. =9.= Mathieu _Nom. Pom._ 229. 1889.

_Bonne Louise d'Avranches._ =10.= _Ann. Pom. Belge_ =6=:29, Pl. 1858. =11.= _Pom. France_ =1=: No. 21, Pl. 21. 1863. =12.= Mas _Le Verger_ =3=: Pt. 1, 67, fig. 32. 1866-73. =13.= Leroy _Dict. Pom._ =1=:482, fig. 1867. =14.= _Guide Prat._ 286. 1876.

_Louise._ =15.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Cat._ 23. 1897. =16.= Ont. Dept. Agr. _Fr. Ont._ 170, fig. 1914.

Now known in America as Louise, a name given it by the American Pomological Society, this variety is described under the name given it in England to distinguish it from at least eight other varieties having Louise as the whole or a part of the name. The pear is an old one, having many excellent qualities of fruit and tree, which, however, are not sufficiently above the average to give it high place in the list of pears for the market. The pears are medium to large, handsome, of excellent quality, and keep and ship well. These qualities have given it some preëminence as a pear for the export trade. The trees are precariously hardy and somewhat subject to blight, but very vigorous, productive, and long-lived. In Europe, the testimony of prominent pomologists agrees that the fruits are better and the trees more productive when worked on the quince, and in America the variety is considered one of the best for dwarfing. This pear is a standard one for home collections, and finds favor in many commercial orchards in New York.

The parent tree of this pear was raised from seed about 1780 by M. de Longueval, Avranches, Normandy. Some authorities say that the variety was first named Bonne de Longueval; others, that M. de Longueval immediately dedicated the pear to his wife and called it _Bonne Louise de Longueval_. Later still, the Pomological Congress adopted the name of _Bonne Louise d'Avranches_, by which it became more generally known, though in England, it rather unfortunately became widely disseminated as _Louise Bonne de Jersey_, having, presumably, found its way there through the Channel Islands. The variety was brought to the United States early in the nineteenth century, and in 1852 was entered in the recommended list of fruits of the American Pomological Society. In 1897, this Society shortened the name to Louise.

Tree large, vigorous, upright, very tall, dense-topped, hardy, productive, long-lived; trunk stocky; branches slightly zigzag, reddish-brown mingled with very dark grayish scarf-skin, with numerous raised lenticels; branchlets slender, long, dark reddish-brown, nearly smooth, glabrous, with few small, slightly raised lenticels.

Leaf-buds pointed, semi-free. Leaves 3-1/4 in. long, 1-3/4 in. wide, much curled under at the margins, oval, leathery; apex slightly taper-pointed; margin glandless, finely serrate; petiole 1-1/2 in. long, slender. Flower-buds small, conical or pointed, free; flowers with a disagreeable odor, 1-1/2 in. across, white or tinged with pink along the edge of the petals, averaging 6 buds in a cluster; pedicels 1-1/2 in. long, slender, pubescent, light green.

Fruit matures in October; medium to large, 2-7/8 in. long, 2-1/4 in. wide, uniform in size and shape, oblong-pyriform, somewhat irregular, with unequal sides; stem 1 in. long, slender, usually curved; cavity obtuse, very shallow and very narrow, furrowed and wrinkled, often lipped, the flesh folded up around the stem; calyx open, large; lobes broad, acute; basin obtuse, furrowed and uneven; skin granular, smooth; color pale yellow, marked on the exposed cheek with a dull red blush and with streaks of russet; dots numerous, small, grayish or russet, conspicuous; fruit yellowish-white, somewhat granular, tender and melting, very juicy, sweet and vinous, aromatic, rich; quality very good. Core closed, with clasping core-lines; calyx-tube short, wide, conical; seeds large, wide, long, plump, acute.

LUCY DUKE

=1.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt._ 153. 1885. =2.= _W. N. Y. Hort. Soc. Rpt._ 65. 1889. =3.= Van Lindley _Cat._ 22, Pl. 1892. =4.= _N. Y. Sta. Bul._ =364=:182. 1913.

Why Lucy Duke is neglected is hard to see. Tree and fruit are highly praised, Charles Downing thought the pear "not quite so fine as a first-class Seckel, but I must aver it is not far behind." The pear has a rich, juicy, spicy, melting flesh that makes it one of the best. In form, the fruits resemble those of Bartlett, which is probably one of the parents; they are of but medium size, but are of a beautiful golden-russet color, which makes them as handsome as the handsomest. The skin is thick and the pears stand shipping well. The variety can be recommended for home and local markets, but the trees are a little too unproductive and too irregular in bearing for commercial orchards. The tree is hardy but only moderately vigorous and resembles Winter Nelis, supposed to be the other parent, in habit of growth. The variety is relatively free from blight.

Lucy Duke was grown about 1880 by Mrs. Lucy Duke, Beaufort County, North Carolina, from seed of a Bartlett pear which she had received from California, Its tree-characters are so nearly like those of Winter Nelis that the other parent is supposed to be that variety. Lucy Duke was introduced about 1892 by J. Van Lindley, Pomona, North Carolina.

Tree medium to large, variable in vigor, upright becoming slightly spreading, dense-topped, hardy, productive; trunk shaggy; branches thick, zigzag, marked by numerous elongated lenticels; branchlets strongly curved, with short internodes, dark brownish-red mingled with green, mottled with scarf-skin, smooth, glabrous, with small, elongated or roundish, conspicuous, raised lenticels.

Leaf-buds small, short, pointed, plump, usually free; leaf-scars prominent. Leaves 3 in. long, 1-3/8 in. wide, thin; margin occasionally glandular, finely serrate or entire; petiole 1-1/2 in. long, slender. Flower-buds large, long, pointed, plump, free, singly on short spurs; flowers open late, with an unpleasant odor, 1-5/8 in. across; pedicels 1-1/8 in. long.

Fruit ripens in late October and November; medium in size, acute-pyriform to oblong-pyriform, symmetrical; stem short, thick, curved; cavity obtuse, shallow, narrow, russeted, often wrinkled and occasionally lipped; calyx large, open, rounded and with a deeply-set center; basin obtuse, smooth, symmetrical; skin very tough, roughened with thick russet; color greenish-yellow, usually entirely overspread with solid, dark russet, changing to golden russet on the cheek exposed to the sun, with mottlings and flecks of russet; dots numerous, small, russet, obscure; flesh yellowish-white, fine, melting, rich, juicy, sweet; quality very good. Core large, closed, axile; calyx-tube short, wide, broadly conical; seeds large, wide, long, plump, acute.

MADELEINE

=1.= Duhamel _Trait. Arb. Fr._ =2=:124, Pl. IV. 1768. =2.= _Pom. Mag._ =2=:51, Pl. 1829. =3.= Prince _Pom. Man._ =1=:13. 1831. =4.= Downing _Fr. Trees Am._ 341, fig. 138. 1845. =5.= _Proc. Nat. Con. Fr. Gr._ 51. 1848. =6.= Elliott _Fr. Book_ 331, fig. 1854. =7.= Mas _Le Verger_ =2=:59, fig. 28. 1866-73. =8.= _Guide Prat._ 62, 287. 1876.

_Sainte Madelaine._ =9.= Knoop _Pomologie_ 76, Tab. 1, fig. 1771.

_Grüne Sommer-Magdalene._ =10.= Dochnahl _Führ. Obstkunde_ =2=:150. 1856. =11.= Lucas _Tafelbirnen_ 47, fig. 1894.

_Citron des Carmes._ =12.= _Pom. France_ =3=: No. 101, Pl. 101. 1865. =13.= Leroy _Dict. Pom._ =1=:563, fig. 1867. =14.= Hogg _Fruit Man._ 548. 1884. =15.= _Cat. Cong. Pom. France_ 212, fig. 1906.

_Grüne Magdalene._ =16.= Mathieu _Nom. Pom._ 228. 1889.

Madeleine has long been a dependable summer variety, the crop of which ripens just before that of Bloodgood. Many consider it the best very early summer pear, and if the product alone were to be considered it might well be called the best, but, unfortunately, the faults of the trees more than offset the virtues of the fruits. The pears are attractive in appearance, and very good in quality; but their season is short, their skins are tender, and the flesh quickly softens at the core. While the trees are productive, they are not resistant to blight, do not hold their crop well, are tender to cold, and are short-lived. The variety is worth planting only for the sake of succession in crop, and in large collections of pears. The variety is recommended on the Pacific slope for local markets.

The Madeleine pear is of ancient and somewhat uncertain origin. It was cultivated by M. Le Lectier in his garden at Orléans in 1628, but previously no other author had made mention of it, though M. Leroy, writing in 1867, deemed it presumable that it had originated in France. Besides its original names this pear has been known by some fifty others in different localities and at different times, but Madeleine is now its recognized name in this country. In England, it is known as the _Citron des Carmes_. When and by whom it was introduced to America is not clear, but it was a standard variety as early as 1831 when Prince first described it. At the national convention of fruit-growers held in 1848, Madeleine was recommended for general cultivation, and ever since this time the variety has appeared in the fruit-catalog of the American Pomological Society.

Tree large, vigorous, upright, open-topped, tender, productive; trunk shaggy; branches zigzag, light greenish-brown covered with gray scarf-skin; branchlets slender, long, reddish-brown mingled with green, mottled with ash-gray near the tips, smooth, glabrous, with small, raised, conspicuous lenticels.

Leaf-buds small, very short, pointed, appressed. Leaves 3 in. long, 1-1/2 in. wide, thin; apex taper-pointed; margin glandless, finely serrate; petiole 1-3/4 in. long, glabrous, reddish-green. Flower-buds small, thick, short, conical, plump, free, distributed as lateral buds or on very short spurs; flowers showy, 1-3/8 in. across, in dense clusters, average 11 buds in a cluster; pedicels 1-1/4 in. long, slightly pubescent.

Fruit ripens in early August; inferior in size, 2-1/8 in. long, 2 in. wide, roundish-obtuse-pyriform; stem 1-1/2 in. long, thick, curved; cavity very shallow and narrow, or lacking, the flesh folded in a lip on one side of the stem; calyx partly open; lobes separated at the base, short, narrow, acuminate; basin shallow, narrow, obtuse, gently furrowed, symmetrical; skin thin, smooth, very tender; color dull green, occasionally with a faint, dotted, brownish blush; dots numerous, greenish, obscure; flesh slightly tinged yellow, granular at the center, tender and melting, very juicy, sweet, vinous; quality good to very good. Core closed, with clasping core-lines; calyx-tube short, wide, conical; seeds wide, short, plump, acuminate.

MARGARET

=1.= _Horticulturist_ =21=:172, 245, fig. 80. 1866. =2.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt._ 53. 1869. =3.= Downing _Fr. Trees Am._ 811. 1869. =4.= _Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt._ 35, 36. 1890. =5.= _Guide Prat._ 68, 279. 1895.

_Mary._ =6.= _Horticulturist_ =21=:78, figs. 43 and 44. 1866.

The fruits of Margaret are early and attractive in color and shape. This is about all that can be said for them, as they run small in size, and in neither flesh nor flavor can they compete with the product of several other varieties of the same season. The trees are hardly more desirable than the fruits, since they are tender to cold, blight badly, and are short-lived, seldom attaining full size. Despite these defects of fruit and tree, the variety is a one-time favorite still rather commonly planted. Better summer pears can be found for New York, and for almost every part of the country.

In the middle of the nineteenth century, Christopher Wiegel, a German nurseryman of Cleveland, Ohio, planted some seeds which he believed to have been from a Seckel pear. Out of the trees grown from these he selected two for further trial "because of their early coming into bearing, their upright, vigorous habits of growth, profuse bearing, and good quality of fruit." In 1866, Mr. Wiegel named one of these _Mary_ but later changed the name to Margaret.

Tree medium in size, vigorous, spreading, somewhat drooping, open-topped, productive; trunk shaggy; branches brown mingled with much red, overspread with thin gray scarf-skin, marked by numerous lenticels; branchlets slender, long, with long internodes, light reddish-brown, streaked with ash-gray scarf-skin, glossy, smooth, glabrous except on the newer growth, with numerous small, roundish, raised, conspicuous lenticels.

Leaf-buds small, very short, pointed, appressed. Leaves 3 in. long, 1-3/4 in. wide, thin; margin tipped with few pinkish glands, finely serrate; petiole 1-3/4 in. long, green; stipules of medium size. Flower-buds small, short, conical, pointed, free, singly on short spurs; flowers showy, 1-3/4 in. long, large, in dense clusters, 6 or 8 buds in a cluster; pedicels 1-1/8 in. long, thick, pubescent.

Fruit matures in late August and early September; medium in size, 3 in. long, 2-3/4 in. wide, oblong-obovate-pyriform, irregular; stem 1-1/4 in. long, thick, curved; cavity acuminate, deep, narrow, russeted, furrowed and compressed, often with a pronounced lip; calyx open, large; lobes separated at the base, broad, acute, reflexed; basin deep, abrupt, furrowed, often compressed; skin thin, tender, smooth; color dull greenish-yellow, often with a deep but dull reddish-brown blush and occasional patches of russet; dots numerous, small, green or russet, obscure; flesh fine under the skin but granular and gritty near the center; tender, buttery, very juicy, faintly vinous, slightly aromatic; quality good. Core large, closed, with clasping core-lines; calyx-tube long, wide, funnel-shaped; seeds large, wide, plump, obtuse or acute.

MARIE LOUISE

=1.= _Pom. Mag._ =3=:122, Pl. 1830. =2.= Prince _Pom. Mag._ =1=:131. 1831. =3.= Kenrick _Am. Orch._ 179. 1832. =4.= Downing _Fr. Trees Am._ 399. 1845. =5.= Hovey _Fr. Am._ =2=:37, Pl. 1851. =6.= Dochnahl _Führ. Obstkunde_ =2=:59. 1856. =7.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt._ 70. 1862. =8.= Leroy _Dict. Pom._ =2=:399, fig. 1869. =9.= _Guide Prat._ 59, 287. 1876. =10.= Lauche _Deut. Pom._ =II=: No. 38, Pl. 38. 1882. =11.= Hogg. _Fruit Man._ 613. 1884. =12.= Mathieu _Nom. Pom._ 251. 1889.

_Marie-Louise Delcourt._ =13.= _Pom. France_ =1=: No. 19, Pl. 19. 1863. =14.= Mas _Le Verger_ =3=: Pt. 1, 163, fig. 80. 1866-73.

The fruits of Marie Louise are among the perfections of Nature, and were the tree more certain in bearing and less fastidious as to environment and care, the variety would rank as one of the best of all pears. Pomologists generally agree that its fruits are the finest flavored of their season. The flesh is tender and melting, very juicy, and the flavor is a most delectable commingling of refreshing piquancy and scented sweetness. In shape, the pears resemble those of Beurré Bosc, having the same trim contour, but the color is very different--rich yellow, netted and sprinkled with russet, and sun-flecked with red on the sunny side. The fruit is somewhat susceptible to the scab fungus, and even the most careful spraying fails to give it a fair cheek in some seasons. The trees are hardy but only moderately vigorous, somewhat susceptible to blight, rather uncertain in bearing, and vary much from season to season in abundance and quality of product. Not at all suited for a commercial plantation, Marie Louise is one of the choicest sorts for a home collection or in the hands of a pear fancier.

The Abbé Duquesne, Mons, Belgium, raised this pear from seed in 1809 and dedicated it to Marie Louise, the second consort of Napoleon the First. The Abbé passed the pear on to Van Mons, who in 1816 sent it without a name to a Mr. Braddick of Thames Ditton, England, where in time it became one of the best-known pears. Thomas Andrew Knight sent cions of the variety from England to John Lowell, Roxbury, Massachusetts, in 1823, whence it became widely disseminated in America. The American Pomological Society placed Marie Louise in its list of fruits in 1862.

Tree medium in size, vigorous, spreading, open-topped, hardy, productive; trunk slender; branches dark reddish-brown mingled with thin gray scarf-skin, marked with many large lenticels; branchlets very slender and very short, with short internodes, light brown, tinged with brownish-red, glossy, smooth, glabrous, with very small, slightly raised lenticels.

Leaf-buds small, short, sharply pointed, plump, free. Leaves 2-1/2 in. long, 1-1/4 in. wide, narrow, short, oval or somewhat elongated, leathery; apex obtusely or slightly taper-pointed; margin glandless, entire; petiole 2 in. long, greenish, glabrous, slender. Flower-buds small, conical, free, arranged singly as lateral buds or on short spurs; flowers very showy, 1-3/4 in. across, in dense clusters, 7 to 9 buds in a cluster; pedicels often 1-1/8 in. long, slender, slightly pubescent, greenish.

Fruit ripe in late September and early October; above medium in size, 3-1/8 in. long, 2-5/16 in. wide, variable in size, oblong-pyriform, irregular, usually with sides unequal; stem 1-1/8 in. long, thick, curved; cavity very small and one-sided, russeted, often lipped; calyx large, open; lobes separated at the base, narrow, acuminate; basin obtuse, considerably furrowed; skin thin, tender, smooth, dull; color yellow, netted and sprinkled with russet especially on the exposed cheek; dots numerous, small, russet, somewhat obscure; flesh yellowish-white, granular, tender, buttery, very juicy, aromatic, with a rich, vinous flavor; quality very good. Core closed, with clasping core-lines; calyx-tube short, narrow, conical; seeds wide, acute.

MOUNT VERNON

=1.= _Am. Jour. Hort._ =3=:144, figs. 1868. =2.= Downing _Fr. Trees Am._ 818. 1869. =3.= _Horticulturist_ =24=:367, fig. 1869. =4.= _Ibid._ =26=:361. 1871. =5.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Cat._ 20. 1871. =6.= _Horticulturist_ =27=:204. 1872. =7.= Budd-Hansen _Am. Hort. Man._ =2=:256. 1903.

As a distinct type, and because the pears ripen at a season when there are few other varieties of this fruit, Mount Vernon has a prominent place in the list of worthy American pears. The top-shaped form and reddish-russet color give the pear a unique appearance, and with the greenish-yellow, granular, spicy, piquant flesh constitute very distinct characters in its quality. Unfortunately, the russet color is not well brought out in the accompanying color-plate. Lack of uniformity in shape and size are the chief defects in the appearance of the pears. The variety is valuable because it ripens its crop in early winter from which time, under good conditions, it may be kept until mid-winter, a season in which there are few good pears. The trees are unusually satisfactory in most of the characters of importance in a good pear-tree. The tree is vigorous but the head is small, with numerous, short, stocky branches, many of which droop. The aspect given the top by these peculiarities is quite distinct. The variety is worthy when a winter pear is wanted whether for home or market.

This pear, which is very distinct from any other variety, originated from a chance seedling in the garden of Samuel Walker, Roxbury, Massachusetts, at the end of the first half of the nineteenth century.

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, with many drooping branches, dense-topped, hardy, productive, long-lived; trunk stocky; branches thick, shaggy, reddish-brown, overcast with gray scarf-skin, marked by few large lenticels; branchlets thick, with short internodes, grayish-brown, smooth, glabrous, with a few large, raised lenticels.