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Beurré d'Hardenpont d'Automne

Pear

Beurré d'Hardenpont d'Automne

Origin/History

Obtained from seed by Van Mons about 1802 (Hedrick). This pear has often been confused with Glou Morceau but erroneously; both were raised by Van Mons, but they differ in form and other characteristics (Hedrick). Downing notes the variety under the query "Wilfred?" suggesting some uncertainty or cross-reference in that source.

Referenced in: Leroy, Dict. Pom. 1:377, fig. (1867); Downing, Fr. Trees Am. 683 (1869); Mas, Pom. Gen. 5:95, fig. 336 (1880).

Tree

Upright, vigorous. Young wood grayish reddish brown (Downing).

Fruit

Size and Form: Rather large (Downing); medium to large (Hedrick). Shape described as oblong obovate obtuse pyriform (Downing) or long-pyriform-obtuse (Hedrick).

Stem: Long, curved (Downing).

Cavity: Not described in source.

Calyx: Open (Downing).

Basin: Narrow, abrupt (Downing).

Skin: Pale yellow, netted and patched with russet (Downing); pale yellow, covered with patches of russet (Hedrick). Dots described as many and large, russet in color (Downing) or large and bronze (Hedrick).

Flesh and Flavor: Yellowish (both sources). Fine, melting, generally gritty; juice abundant, sugary, vinous, very aromatic (Hedrick). Juicy, sweet, slightly aromatic (Downing) — Downing's characterization of the aroma as slight conflicts with Hedrick's "very aromatic."

Core/Seeds: Not described in source.

Season

End of September (Hedrick); October (Downing).

Uses

Not described in source.

Other

Quality rated "Good to very good" (Downing); "first" (Hedrick).

Book Sources

Described in 2 period pomological works

View original book sources (2)

Beurré d'Hardenpont d'Automne.

Wilfred?

Tree upright, vigorous. Young wood grayish reddish brown.

Fruit rather large, oblong obovate obtuse pyriform. Skin pale yellow, netted and patched with russet, and many large russet dots. Stalk long, curved. Calyx open. Basin narrow, abrupt. Flesh yellowish, juicy, sweet, slightly aromatic. Good to very good. October.

A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)

Beurré d'Hardenpont d'Automne.

  1. Leroy Dict. Pom. 1:377, fig. 1867. 2. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 683. 1869. 3. Mas Pom. Gen. 5:95, fig. 336. 1880.

This pear has often been confused with Glou Morceau but erroneously; both were raised by Van Mons, but they differ in form and other characteristics. This variety was obtained from seed by Van Mons about 1802. Fruit medium to large, long-pyriform-obtuse, pale yellow, covered with large, bronze dots and patches of russet; flesh yellowish, fine, melting, generally gritty; juice abundant, sugary, vinous, very aromatic; first; end of Sept.

U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)
Wilfred