Belle Bessa
PearOrigin and History
Of recent origin (as of 1825), this pear was named by the editors of the New Duhamel (1825) after M. Bessa, "as a testimony of satisfaction for the assiduity evinced by him in the completion of the designs of that work." It was subsequently classified in Le Bon Jardinier among pears "remarkable for their size."
Early sources:
- Prince, Pomological Manual 1:120 (1831)
- Le Bon Jardinier 363 (1882)
Tree
Not described in source.
Fruit
Form: Globular, with both extremities diminishing perceptibly, the diminution especially pronounced at the end next the stem.
Size: Large; classified among pears "remarkable for their size."
Skin: Very light green, faintly approaching yellow at full maturity; interspersed with small russet specks.
Flesh and Flavor: Somewhat firm; bland and agreeable; not highly flavored.
Stem, Cavity, Calyx, Basin, Core, and Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
November to December.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes and Variants
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
View original book sources (1)
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Belle Bessa. i. Prince Pom. Man. 1:120. 1831. 2. Le Bon Jard. 363. 1882. The editors of the "New Duhamel," 1825, said of this pear that it was of recent origin and as it had not been previously named they "dedicated it to M. Bessa as a testimony of satisfaction for the assiduity evinced by him in the completion of the designs of that work." In Le Bon Jardinier it is classed among pears "remarkable for their size." Fruit large, globular, the two extremities diminishing very perceptibly, especially that next the stem, very light green faintly approaching yellow at full maturity and interspersed by some small, russet specks; flesh somewhat firm, bland and agreeable, not highly flavored; Nov. to Dec.