Cumberland
PearCumberland
Origin/History
Conflicting historical accounts exist regarding the origin of Cumberland. Alexandre Bivort and M. de Jonghe declared this variety to be one of Van Mons' seedlings, while Downing, Kenrick, and Manning affirmed it to be native to Cumberland, Rhode Island. The discrepancy is explained by the fact that what Bivort and de Jonghe referred to as Cumberland is actually the variety Henkel.
Tree
Not described in source.
Fruit
Size and Form: Large, obovate-pyriform.
Skin: Pale yellow on the shaded side and greenish-yellow on the side exposed to the sun. Dotted with gray-russet and having some russet patches.
Flesh: White, semi-fine, dense, melting, very juicy, sugary, acidulous. Rather pleasantly flavored and slightly perfumed.
Quality: Second.
Season
September.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
View original book sources (1)
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Cumberland
- Kenrick Am. Orch. 168. 1832. 2. Mag. Hort. 26:508. 1860. 3. Leroy Diet. Pom. 1:608, figs. 1867. 4. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 730. 1869.
Alexandre Bivort and M. de Jonghe declared that this variety was one of Van Mons' seedlings while Downing, Kenrick and Manning affirmed it to be a native of Cumberland, R. I. The conflicting opinion is explained by the fact that the Cumberland of the first parties is really Henkel. Fruit large, obovate-pyriform, pale yellow on the shaded side and greenish-yellow on the side of the sun, dotted with gray-russet and having some russet patches; flesh white, semi-fine, dense, melting, very juicy, sugary, acidulous, rather pleasantly flavored, slightly perfumed; second; Sept.