Columbia

(Bloodgood. Downing.) (Fig. 113.) An American, as its name implies, produced in West Chester County, New York, where the original tree still exists. This is truly a valuable variety, in season when most needed - from November to January. Stem an inch long, curved. Calyx comparatively small. Skin, when fully ripe, of a rich golden hue. Flesh whitish, rich and aromatic - worthy of general culture.

Fig. 113. - (P. 434).

St. Germain Of French And English Authors

(Fig. 114.) There are but few winter pears of finer quality than this old favourite; and were it not particularly liable to fire-blight, none would be more cultivated. The outline is frequently quite irregular, but in all specimens full at the blossom end, narrowing towards the stem. The skin is thick, and green even when fully ripe. Stem short and obliquely planted. Calyx set in a shallow basin. Flesh white, and when in perfection, abounding in juice of exquisite flavour. Ripe from December to March.

Fig. 114. - (P. 434).

Lewis

(Fig. 115.) This variety derives its name from Mr. John Lewis of Massachusetts, on whose farm it originated thirty years ago. It is in season from November to February, and may be enumerated among our valuable winter fruits. It bears most profusely and, though not externally attractive,the skin being rough, would doubtless be highly profitable if cultivated for city sale. Outline nearly round, a little flattened at the crown. Skin green. Stalk an inch and a half long, calyx large and open, basin very slightly furrowed. The quality of the fruit, though not "first rate," is such as with its constitution and productive habit must insure this variety extensive cultivation.

Fig. 115. - (P. 434).

De Ranz, Of Thompson

Beurre Rance, of Lindley. (Fig. 116.) This is a Flemish pear, and obtains its name of Ranz from the district in which it originated. It is one of the longest keepers, not being in perfection until spring. Few pears have received more unqualified praise both here and in Europe. The outline is pyriform or pear-shaped. Skin coarse and always green, with brownish dots. Stem upwards of an inch long. Eye quite minute and but little depressed. Flesh melting, abounding in rich and highly flavoured juce.

Fig. 116. - (P. 435).

Beurre Diel, Of Thompson, Lindley, And Others

(Fig. 117.) "This variety, known by a dozen different names, of which that above is most generally used, and should be alone, is one of the many excellent seedlings of Van Mons, and named by him after Doctor Diel, a conspicuous amateur fruit cultivator. It has few-superiors in its season, September to November (or even December in some climes). We sometimes see speciment much larger than our drawing, and with less elevation of shoulder, but the sketch affords a fair idea of its average size and appearance. Its habit is robust, and rather peculiar, from the turning or twisting of its branches. Color varying from light to dark yellow, blended and dotted with brown. Skin thick. Stalk an inch or more in length, bold and curved. Eye set in a shallow basin. Flesh yellowish white, rich and buttery. On trees in vigorous growth and heavy land the fruit is sometimes rather coarse-grained, and slightly astringent." - Rural Reg.

Fig. 117. - (P. 435).