Beurré Knox
PearBeurré Knox
Origin/History
Raised by Van Mons before 1819 (Hedrick). A Flemish variety (Downing). Referenced in Leroy, Dict. Pom. 1:387, with figures (1867), and Hogg, Fruit Manual, p. 523 (1884).
Tree
Vigorous growth, productive (Downing). Not described in source (Hedrick).
Fruit
Size: Large (both sources agree).
Form: Downing describes the fruit as oblong obovate. Hedrick describes the form as varying from true turbinate to globular-turbinate, bossed and contorted. These descriptions differ and both are recorded.
Stem, Cavity, Calyx, Basin, Core, Seeds: Not described in source.
Skin: Smooth and shining (Hedrick). Pale green in the shade (both sources agree on the ground color). The coloration on the sun-exposed side is described differently by the two sources: Downing states the skin is russeted on one side; Hedrick states it is tinged with red on the side next the sun.
Flesh/Flavor: Whitish in color (Hedrick). Tender and soft (Downing), semi-fine and melting (Hedrick). Juicy (both sources agree). The quality assessment differs between sources: Downing finds the flavor sweet but not high-flavored, rating it "hardly good"; Hedrick describes the flavor as agreeable, rating it second quality for eating.
Season
Last of September (Downing).
Uses
First for the kitchen; second for eating (Hedrick).
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 Knox.
A Flemish variety, of vigorous growth, productive.
Fruit large, oblong obovate. Skin pale green, russet on one side. Flesh tender and soft, juicy and sweet, but not high-flavored, hardly good. Last of September.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Beurré Knox.
- Leroy Dict. Pom. 1:387, figs. 1867.
- Hogg Fruit Man. 523. 1884. Raised by Van Mons before 1819. Fruit large; form varies from true turbinate to globular-turbinate, bossed and contorted, smooth, shining pale green in shade, tinged with red on the side next the sun; flesh whitish, semi-fine, melting, juicy, of agreeable flavor; second for eating, first for the kitchen.