THE CHAUMONTEL PEAR.

This Pear is figured and fully described by DU HAMEL, under the name of Bezi de Chaumontel, or Beurre d'Hyver; and also by KNOOP, in his Pomologie. The following description is abridged from the author first named. Young shoots slender, channelled, of a clear red on the side exposed to the sun. Buds large and very pointed. Leaves small, about 2 inches long, by 20 lines broad, regularly toothed. Petals much longer than wide. The fruit is large, but varies exceedingly in both form and magnitude: some are 21⁄2 inches in diameter, and 31⁄2 inches long; others are scarcely longer than wide, while others are quite equal in length and breadth: others again are flattened on one side their whole length. The eye is very deep, and obtuse angles generally run from it to the widest part. The footstalk is thick and short. The colour of the skin varies much; in a light soil and grafted on a quince stock, it is of a yellow citron on the shady side, and tinged with lively red next the sun. Sometimes it is yellowish tinged with grey, without any red. In a stiff soil it is brown, like the Crasanne. The flesh is buttery, melting, and excellent, but sometimes a little stony. It is much improved in both size and colour when on an espalier, or against a wall.

The original tree was stated by DU HAMEL, in 1765, to have been 100 years old. The variety, however, seems to have suffered nothing from age, as it is of most vigorous and fruitful habit. Considerable importations of this fruit are annually received from Jersey and Guernsey, and eagerly purchased by the London fruiterers. It is in season from November until the end of December, or beginning of January.

The specimen from which the annexed Plate was taken, grew on a south wall, in the garden of D. BEALE, Esq. at Edmonton, in 1811. And it is but justice to state, that specimens, previously communicated to the HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, by that gentleman's gardener, Mr. JOHN MAHER, were pronounced, by competent judges, equal to those of French growth.