Certeau d'Été
PearCerteau d'Été
Origin / History
Attributed by some authors to Van Mons; others say it was described in 1540 (Downing). In the sixteenth century also called the pear of Champagne, coming as it did, according to Charles Estienne, from that district in 1540 (Hedrick). Hedrick says its name may be referred to the Latin word certo, signifying constant or certain. Downing calls it a "showy Pear". Leroy's Dictionnaire de Pomologie (1:539) describes it, as given by Hedrick.
Tree
Tree vigorous and productive. Young wood reddish yellow brown.
Fruit
Size: Medium (Downing) to above medium (Leroy, as given by Hedrick).
Form: Oblong, acute pyriform (Downing). Long, variable, sometimes rather like Calebasse in form but more usually obtuse-conic (Leroy).
Stem: Long, curved, fleshy at its insertion.
Cavity: Not described in source.
Calyx: Small, open.
Basin: Small.
Skin: Smooth, almost waxen yellow (Downing); bright yellow though a little greenish (Leroy). Shaded with bright crimson over most of the surface (Downing), or widely carmined on the side opposed to the sun (Leroy).
Dots: Light, sprinkled (Downing); gray-brown, dotted all over (Leroy).
Flesh and flavor: Flesh white or whitish, juicy, melting; semi-fine, juice sufficient (Leroy). Pleasant, sweet (Downing); saccharine, seldom much perfumed but with a delicate flavor (Leroy). Downing rates it "good to very good"; Leroy, "second".
Core and seeds: Not described in source.
Season
August; last of August (Downing).
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)Certeau d'Été.
Gros Certeau d'Été. Comte de Ersol. Rouges des Vierges. Colorée d'Août. Emmanuel. De Champagne d'Été.
This showy Pear is by some authors attributed to Van Mons. Others say it was described in 1540. Tree vigorous and productive. Young wood reddish yellow brown.
Fruit medium, oblong acute pyriform. Skin smooth, almost waxen yellow, shaded with bright crimson over most of the surface, and sprinkled with light dots. Stalk long, curved, fleshy at its insertion. Calyx small, open. Basin small. Flesh white, juicy, melting, pleasant, sweet. Good to very good. Last of August.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Certeau d'Été. i. Leroy Diet. Pom. 1:539, fig. 1867. In the sixteenth century this variety was also called the pear of Champagne, coming as it did, according to Charles Estienne, from that district in 1540. Its name may be referred to the Latin word certo signifying constant or certain. Fruit above medium, long, variable, sometimes rather like Calebasse in form but more usually obtuse-conic, bright yellow though a little greenish, dotted all over with gray-brown and widely carmined on the side opposed to the sun; flesh whitish, semi-fine and melting; juice sufficient; saccharine, seldom much perfumed but with a delicate flavor; second; Aug.