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Bleecker's Meadow

Pear

Bleecker's Meadow

Origin and History

A native fruit, said to have been found in a meadow in Pennsylvania. It is a handsome, hardy fruit, and bears large crops, but it has been overpraised as to quality. Known also as Feaster, Heidelberg, Spice Butter, Meadow Feaster, and Frankford.

Tree

Hardy, bearing habit vigorous and productive. Other characteristics not described in source.

Fruit

Size and Form: Small, roundish.

Skin: Bright clear yellow, with crimson dots on the sunny side.

Stem: Straight and stiff.

Cavity: Not described in source.

Calyx: Open and reflexed.

Basin: Shallow.

Flesh and Flavor: Very white, firm. Aroma peculiar—musky or wasp-like. Taste spicy. Texture remains mostly crisp and hard.

Quality: Good.

Season

October and November.

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes or Variants

Not described in source.

Book Sources

Described in 1 period pomological work

View original book sources (1)

Large Seckel. Feaster.

Bleecker's Meadow.

Heidelberg. Spice Butter. Meadow Feaster. Frankford.

A native fruit, said to have been found in a meadow in Pennsylvania. It is a handsome, hardy fruit, and bears large crops, but it has been overpraised as to quality.

Fruit small, roundish. Skin bright clear yellow, with crimson dots on the sunny side. Flesh very white, firm, with a peculiar musky or wasp-like aroma and spicy taste, but mostly remains crisp and hard. Stalk straight and stiff. Basin shallow. Calyx open and reflexed. Good. October and November.

A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)
Feaster Frankford Heidelberg Large Seckel Meadow Feaster Poire de la Prairie de Bleecker Prairie de Bleecker Spice Butter Spiee Butter Bleeker's Meadow Frankford Feaster