Beurre Defais
PearBeurre Defais
Origin/History
Raised by François Defays near Angers, France; fruited first in 1839 or 1840. Referenced in Leroy, Dict. Pom. 1:344 (with figures), 1867, and Hogg, Fruit Man. 518, 1884.
Tree
Productive, and a strong, vigorous grower. Young shoots rich clear reddish brown, with a large pointed bud at the end. (Downing)
Fruit
Size and Form: Rather large. Shape described by Downing as oblique obtuse pyriform; Hedrick gives pyramidal-obtuse.
Stem: Varying in length, set in a narrow cavity.
Cavity: Narrow.
Calyx: Small, partially open.
Basin: Not described in source.
Skin: Downing describes the skin as fine yellow, slightly netted with russet, with a few russet dots. Hedrick describes it as pale golden yellow, with large brown dots, and an orange tinge on the side next the sun. The two sources conflict on dot size (few and small vs. large) and Hedrick adds the sun-blush; Downing alone notes russet netting.
Flesh/Flavor: Downing: white, juicy, melting, sweet, slightly aromatic; quality rated Good. Hedrick: yellowish-white, delicate, melting, juicy, sugary, vinous; quality rated first.
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
Sources conflict: Downing gives October; Hedrick gives end of November to February.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Beurre Defais.
Beurre Audusson d'Hiver. Beurré Defays.
A French Pear. Tree productive, and a strong, vigorous grower. Young shoots rich clear reddish brown, with a large pointed bud at end.
Fruit rather large, oblique obtuse pyriform. Skin fine yellow, slightly netted with russet, and a few russet dots. Stalk varying in length, set in a narrow cavity. Calyx small, partially open. Flesh white, juicy, melting, sweet, slightly aromatic. Good. October.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Beurré Defays.
- Leroy Dict. Pom. 1:344, figs. 1867.
- Hogg Fruit Man. 518. 1884.
Raised by François Defays near Angers, Fr.; fruited first in 1839 or 1840. Fruit large, pyramidal-obtuse, pale golden yellow, with large, brown dots, and an orange tinge on side next the sun; flesh yellowish-white, delicate, melting, juicy, sugary, vinous; first; end of Nov. to Feb.