Cantelope
PearCantelope
Origin/History
Raised by Governor Edwards of New Haven, Connecticut, as a seedling. Presented to the Horticultural Society of New Haven in September 1838, at which time it was reported to be worthy of cultivation. Downing, writing in 1900, identifies it as a seedling of "the late Gov. Edwards" and considers it not valuable.
Tree
Not described in source.
Fruit
Size and Form: Below medium. Downing describes the form as nearly globular; Hedrick gives it simply as globular.
Skin: Pale yellow, sometimes blushed in the sun.
Stem: Not described in source.
Cavity: Not described in source.
Calyx: Not described in source.
Basin: Not described in source.
Flesh/Flavor: Flesh whitish, coarse, breaking. Downing describes it as dry; Hedrick characterizes it as wanting in juice — both sources agree the flesh is notably deficient in juice. Quality is good only for cooking.
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
October.
Uses
Cooking only. Not considered a dessert fruit.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Downing judges it "not valuable." Hedrick cites Magazine of Horticulture 4:231, 466 (1838) and Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees of America p. 714 (1869) as prior references.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Cantelope.
A seedling of the late Gov. Edwards. Not valuable.
Fruit below medium, nearly globular, pale yellow, sometimes a blush in the sun. Flesh whitish, coarse, breaking, dry. Good only for cooking. October.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Cantelope.
- Mag. Hort. 4:231, 466. 1838.
- Downing Fr. Trees Am. 714. 1869.
Raised by Governor Edwards of New Haven and presented to the Horticultural Society of New Haven in September, 1838, when it was reported to be worthy of cultivation.
Fruit below medium, globular, pale yellow, sometimes blushed in the sun; flesh whitish, coarse, breaking, wanting in juice; good for cooking; Oct.