A pear of ancient and unknown origin. It was grown in France in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Tree very large, exceedingly vigorous, very hardy, a regular bearer. Fruit medium or below, obovate or obtuse-pyriform, smooth, shining yellowish-green, sprinkled with small russet dots; flesh white, breaking, medium fine, very juicy, sweet, slightly musky; well reported from the Old World but as “unworthy of cultivation” from the New; last of Aug.
Valley. 1. Brookshaw Hort. Reposit. 2:185, Pl. XCVII, fig. 2. 1823.
Possibly of English origin. Fruit oval or lemon-shape, yellow, strewn with fine dots; skin thick; flesh soft, buttery; flavor very pleasant; mid-Aug.
Van Assche. 1. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt. 55. 1852. 2. Horticulturist 3:60, fig., front. 1853.
Van Assene. 3. Mag. Hort. 8:58. 1842. 4. Ibid. 13:60, fig. 4. 1847.
M. Bouvier, Jodoigne, Bel., originated this pear about 1828. M. Manning received cions of the variety from Van Mons in 1835 under the name Van Assene, and this has led to incorrect statements in America that Van Assche is a seedling of Van Mons and should be called Van Assene. Tree productive, vigorous, erect, an early bearer. Fruit rather large, roundish-obovate-pyriform, pale yellow, covered with rather large russet specks; stem long, slender, curved; cavity medium deep; calyx closed; basin abrupt, deep flesh white, juicy, melting, sweet, pleasant; good to very good; Sept.
Van Buren. 1. Mass. Hort. Soc. Rpt. 5. 1843. 2. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 873. 1869.
A cooking pear raised from seed by Governor Edwards of New Haven, Conn. Fruit medium, roundish-oblate, yellow, with a rich orange-red blush next the sun, regularly dotted with conspicuous brownish specks; flesh white, crisp, sweet; Oct.
Van Deventer. 1. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 873. 1869.
Originated in New Jersey. Tree very vigorous, very productive, an early bearer. Fruit rather small, oblong-ovate-pyriform, greenish-yellow, shaded with brownish-red in the sun, with many gray and green dots; stem inclined, inserted by a lip and sometimes rings; calyx partially closed; basin shallow; flesh whitish, juicy, tender, half-melting, sweet, pleasant, good; mid-Aug.