Easter Beurre

Indispensable in the days before cold storage d'Anjous, the latest of the fine pears in season, not ready to eat unless stored until spring, at which time this was the only great pear remaining.  Fruits massive, inflated, over a pound in weight, tree self-thinning.  Dark green at harvest in November, becoming a pale green after storage.  Texture then  fine, juice acidulous, refreshing.  Known as Doyenne d'Hiver in France, Winter-Dechantsbirne in Germany;  discovered by Van Mons in the orchard of the Capuchins in Louvain in 1805, then sent by him to Paris for propagation, so probably very much older.  On Betulaefolia.