Belle Williams
PearBelle Williams
Origin/History
Of foreign origin, possibly English (Hedrick). A variety little known in America (Downing). Listed in the American Pomological Society Report of 1862 and cited in Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1869).
Tree
Very erect, vigorous grower; hardy (Hedrick). Young wood olive, slightly yellow, glossy.
Fruit
Size: Medium to large (Downing, Hedrick); large (Thomas).
Form: Oblong-pyriform, with a groove or sunken line running from stem to calyx.
Stem: Long, curved, set in a slight depression by a lip.
Cavity: A slight depression at the stem end, with a lip.
Calyx: Partially closed.
Basin: Not described in source.
Skin: Yellowish (Downing, Hedrick) / greenish-yellow (Thomas), with russet — described as "traces and nettings" by Downing and "marblings and tracings" by Hedrick.
Flesh/Flavor: Sources conflict. Downing and Hedrick describe the flesh as whitish, not juicy or rich. Thomas describes it as buttery and melting, rating it very good. Thomas also notes the fruit has cracked badly in some locations.
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
December to March (Downing, Hedrick); winter (Thomas).
Uses
Good for cooking (Downing, Hedrick).
Other
Thomas notes the variety has cracked badly at some locations, suggesting susceptibility to cracking under certain growing conditions.
Book Sources
Described in 3 period pomological works
View original book sources (3)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Belle Williams.
A foreign variety little known. Tree a very erect, vigorous grower. Young wood olive, slightly yellow, glossy.
Fruit medium to large, oblong pyriform, with a groove or sunken line from stem to calyx, yellowish, with traces and nettings of russet. Stalk long, curved, set in a slight depression by a lip. Calyx partially closed. Flesh whitish, not juicy or rich. Good for cooking. December to March.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Belle Williams.
- Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt. no. 1862.
- Downing Fr. Trees Am. 669. 1869.
Of foreign origin, possibly English. Tree vigorous, very erect, hardy; young wood olive, slightly yellow, glossy. Fruit medium to large, oblong-pyriform, with a groove or sunken line from stem to calyx, yellowish, with marblings and tracings of russet; stem long, curved, set in a slight depression by a lip; calyx partially closed; flesh whitish, not juicy or rich; good for cooking; Dec. to Mar.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Belle Williams. Large, pyriform, greenish-yellow; buttery, melting; very good—has cracked badly at some places. Winter.