This variety originated in the neighborhood of Craon in Mayenne, Fr. It was listed in the collection of the Horticultural Society of Angers in 1848, and in the following year was propagated for commerce by A. Leroy. Fruit large but sometimes smaller, oblong-pyriform, irregular, obtuse, golden-yellow, sown with gray dots more numerous and larger on the side next the sun; flesh white, semi-fine, melting, juicy, rather gritty about the core; juice abundant, sweet and musky, without much savor; second for the table, first for cooking; Dec. to March.
Belle de la Croix Morel. 1. Guide Prat. 83. 1876.
Mentioned in the Revue Horticole of 1868. Fruit large, pyriform-ventriculous, greenish-yellow; flesh semi-melting, juicy, of an agreeable flavor; first; Dec.
Belle de Décembre. 1. Guide Prat. 103. 1895.
A very large and superb fruit; good to eat raw but first class for cooking. Listed as a new variety in 1895.
Belle de Féron. 1. Leroy Dict. Pom. 1:198. 1867.
Probably originated in the town of Féron near Avesnes, Fr., and was considered to be a new fruit by the Horticultural Society of Angers in 1840. Fruit large to very large, globular-turbinate, bossed, one side always more swelled than the other, yellowish-green, dotted with gray, and stained with patches of brown-russet; flesh white, coarse, semi-melting; juice sufficient, fresh, sugary, vinous, and with a very agreeable tartness; second; Oct. and Nov.
Belle du Figuier. 1. Leroy Dict. Pom. 1:199, fig. 1867.
Raised from seed in 1860 by M. Robert, Angers, Fr., and submitted to the Horticultural Society of Maine-et-Loire in December, 1861, when it was declared excellent. Fruit above medium, ovate, regular in form, but with protuberances, often depressed at the base, greenish-russet, rough to the touch and covered with well-marked fawn dots; flesh fine, white, very melting and very juicy, saccharine, acidulous, aromatic; first; Dec. and Jan.