Chambers
PearChambers
Origin/History
Origin is uncertain. Downing reports that the variety was brought from Maryland by Judge William Chambers to Middletown, Kentucky, where it acquired a reputation as the most profitable early market pear in that locality. Budd & Hansen give the origin simply as "Canada," without further detail — a significant discrepancy with Downing's account.
Chambers ripens a week after the Madeleine but is not equal in quality to many of the later varieties.
Tree
A moderate grower, spreading in habit, and reported to be perfectly hardy and free from blight. A good and regular bearer, but not an early one.
Does well on the quince rootstock (Budd & Hansen).
Fruit
Size and Form
Medium, or nearly so. Downing describes the form as roundish obovate and regular; Budd & Hansen describe it as obtuse, obovate, and pyriform.
Stem
Medium in length and moderately stout (Downing). Budd & Hansen give the length as one inch, stout, set at an angle in a shallow cavity with one side raised.
Cavity
Downing describes the stalk cavity as medium. Budd & Hansen describe it as shallow, with one side raised — a conflicting characterization.
Calyx
Open (Downing). Not described by Budd & Hansen.
Basin
Rather shallow, slightly plaited (Downing). Not described by Budd & Hansen.
Skin
Smooth (Downing). Ground color pale yellow (Downing) to light green, turning yellow when fully ripe (Budd & Hansen). The exposed or sunny side is shaded and mottled with light red (Downing) to reddish brown (Budd & Hansen). Dots numerous: Downing describes them as greenish; Budd & Hansen describe them as brown and green.
Flesh and Flavor
White. Downing describes the texture as a little coarse, moderately juicy, and half melting; Budd & Hansen describe it as tender and quite juicy — a conflict on both texture and juiciness. Both sources agree it is sweet and pleasant. Downing adds that it is not rich; Budd & Hansen rate it as good.
Core and Seeds
Not described in either source.
Season
Early. Ripens in Kentucky during the first half of July; in more northerly locations, toward the last of July (Downing). Budd & Hansen confirm an early season without specifying dates.
Uses
Valued as an early market pear. Downing notes it is the most profitable early market pear in its locality. Budd & Hansen describe it as valuable for a near market.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 2 catalogs (1894–1901) from Illinois
- The Vineland Nurseries (Kelsey & Co. , Proprietors), St. Joseph, Missouri (Office: 13th and Atchison Sts., 2 Blocks East of the Citizens St. Car Line) — 1894 — listed as Chambers'
- Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1901 — listed as Chambers'
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Chambers.
Origin uncertain, but report says was brought from Maryland by Judge William Chambers to Middletown, Kentucky, many years since, where it has the reputation of being the most profitable early market pear in that locality; it ripens a week after the Madeleine, but is not equal in quality to many of the later varieties. Tree a moderate grower, spreading, and said to be perfectly hardy, free from blight; a good and regular, but not an early bearer.
Fruit medium, or nearly so, roundish obovate, regular; skin smooth, pale yellow, shaded and mottled with light red where fully exposed, and many greenish dots; stalk medium, moderately stout; cavity medium; calyx open; basin rather shallow, slightly plaited; flesh white, a little coarse, moderately juicy, half melting, sweet and pleasant, but not rich. Ripens in Kentucky the first half of July, here the last of July.
— J.L. Budd & N.E. Hansen, American Horticultural Manual, Part II: Systematic Pomology (1914)Chambers.— Medium, obtuse, obovate, pyriform; color light green, but yellow when ripe, with numerous brown and green dots, sunny side reddish brown; stalk one inch long, stout, set at an angle in a shallow cavity with one side raised. Flesh white, tender, quite juicy, sweet, pleasant, good. Season, early. Valuable for a near market. Does well on the quince. Canada.