Charles Frederickx
PearOrigin/History
Charles Frederickx was raised in 1840 or 1841 in the Van Mons nursery at Louvain, Belgium (Hedrick). It is one of Van Mons' seedlings (Downing). References: Ann. Pom. Beige 2:1, fig. 1854; Leroy, Dict. Pom. 1:550, fig. 1, 1867 (Hedrick).
Tree
Vigorous and productive (Downing). Other characteristics not described in source.
Fruit
Size: Medium.
Form: Downing describes the form as roundish obovate pyriform, sometimes obtuse oblong. Hedrick describes it as globular-ovate-pyriform, slightly obtuse and bossed.
Stem: Short to medium (Downing). Not described in other sources.
Cavity: Sometimes the stem sits in a small cavity, sometimes without cavity (Downing).
Calyx: Open (Downing).
Basin: Shallow (Downing).
Skin: The ground color is described as pale yellow by Downing, golden-yellow by Hedrick, and as green becoming yellow by Thomas. All agree it is shaded and mottled with red in the sun (Downing, Hedrick). Downing notes patches, nettings, and dots of russet; Hedrick describes dotted and veined with fawn.
Flesh and Flavor: Flesh white, buttery, and sweet (Downing, Hedrick). Melting (Hedrick, Thomas). Juice sufficient (Hedrick). Downing characterizes the flavor as slightly vinous; Thomas as vinous and perfumed; Hedrick as sugary, very savory, and musky. Quality rated "Good" by Downing, "very good" by Thomas, and "first" (highest quality) by Hedrick.
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
Downing gives September; Thomas gives October; Hedrick gives September and October.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 3 period pomological works
View original book sources (3)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Charles Frederick.
One of Van Mons' seedlings. Tree vigorous and productive.
Fruit medium, roundish obovate pyriform, sometimes obtuse oblong. Skin pale yellow, shaded and mottled with red in the sun, patches, nettings and dots of russet. Stalk short to medium, sometimes in a small cavity, others without. Calyx open. Basin shallow. Flesh white, buttery, sweet, slightly vinous. Good. September.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Charles Frederickx.
- Ann. Pom. Beige 2:1, fig. 1854. 2. Leroy Diet. Pom. 1:550, fig. 1. 1867.
In 1840 or 1841 this pear was raised in the Van Mons nursery at Louvain, Bel. Fruit medium, globular-ovate-pyriform, slightly obtuse and bossed, golden-yellow, dotted and veined with fawn, shaded and mottled with red in the sun; flesh white, buttery, sweet, melting, juice sufficient, sugary, very savory and musky; first; Sept. and Oct.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Charles Frederick. Green becoming yellow; melting, juicy, vinous, perfumed; very good. October. Belgian.