Ambrosia. 1. Jour. Hort. N. S. 14:326, fig. 1868. 2. Hogg Fruit Man. 177. 1884.
Switser, writing in England in 1724, said that this variety was introduced to that country from France “among that noble collection of fruit that was planted in the Royal Gardens in St. James’s Park soon after the Restoration, but is now cut down.” No French author, however, appears to mention it under this name. It was formerly to be found in many old English gardens but now seems to have dropped out of favor. Fruit medium, globular-obovate, greenish-yellow, slightly russeted and covered with small, gray specks; flesh buttery and in England possessing a high flavor, melting, rich, sugary, perfumed; first for dessert; Sept. but does not keep long.
Amédée Leclerc. 1. Leroy Dict. Pom. 1:113, fig. 1867.
Raised by Léon Leclerc, Laval, Mayenne, Fr. It first bore fruit in 1849. Fruit medium, conic-cylindrical, often irregular in form and bossed, pale yellow, dotted, streaked and veined with russet; flesh white, fine, semi-melting; second; Feb.
Amélie Leclerc. 1. Mas Le Verger 3: Pt. 2, 1, fig. 97. 1866-73. 2. Leroy Dict. Pom. 1:114, fig. 1867.
This excellent pear was raised by Léon Leclerc, Laval, Mayenne, Fr. The original tree first bore fruit in 1850, and appeared then to be 12 years old. Introduced to this country about 1868. Fruit medium, globular-ovate, somewhat uneven in outline, obtuse, pale yellow, dotted and veined with russet and washed with rose-carmine on the cheek next the sun; flesh white, fine, melting, full of juice, sugary, acidulous, perfumed; first; Sept. and Oct.
America. 1. Mag. Hort. 25:205, fig. 12. 1859. 2. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 658. 1869.
It was said of Francis Dana, the indefatigable pomologist of Boston, that he saved the seed of all good pears that he ate, and that from these he produced sixteen new, good varieties of which America was one. It is a handsome pear and in 1859 was considered an important acquisition because it ripens in the early part of the winter when the number of choice varieties is limited. Fruit very large, globular-ovate, somewhat angular, with an uneven surface, dull greenish-yellow, much clouded with dull russet, and sprinkled heavily with large russet dots; flesh yellowish-white, rather coarse, semi-melting, sugary, buttery, pleasant, rich in flavor and having a refreshing aroma; good; keeps well; Dec.
Amie Verdier. 1. Mass. Hort. Soc. Rpt. 40. 1871.
One of a collection of 42 new varieties of pears exhibited by Marshall P. Wilder at the annual exhibition of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society in 1871, for which Mr. Wilder obtained the “first prize for new pears.” Fruit medium, obovate, inclining to turbinate, yellow, with brownish-red cheek and some traces of russet; flesh white, very melting, juicy and rich. Promised to be fine.