Dix
Pear
Dix
Origin / History
The Dix originated in Boston, Massachusetts, in the garden of Madame Dix, in whose honor it was named. According to Hovey (1852), it was named about thirty-five years prior to his writing (i.e., circa 1817); the tree sprang from seed near the house and grew so rapidly that by 1829 it had attained a height of twenty-three feet with a stem ten inches in diameter, and still stood in the same spot, having become a very large tree. The original tree stood in the garden of Madame Dix, Boston (Downing 1900; Hedrick 1921).
Sources differ on the year of first bearing: Downing (1900) and Hedrick (1921) state that it bore for the first time in 1826, while Hovey (1852) states that it first began to bear in 1825 but did not produce a full crop until 1829, after which it continued to bear abundant crops of fine fruit. When originally brought into notice in 1829, it was pronounced "one of the very best autumn pears, which might, with the greatest safety, be introduced into our gardens;" and twenty years' experience had fully confirmed the correctness of that opinion (Hovey 1852). Hedrick (1921) cites Prince's Pomological Manual 1:142 (1831) and Downing's Fruit Trees of America 737, fig. (1869) as references. Hovey cites the New England Farmer, vol. viii, p. 161, 1830.
Few, if any, native pears held a higher rank than the Dix, owing to the large size, beautiful appearance, and exquisite flavor of its fruit, added to the vigor and hardiness of the tree, its productiveness, constant bearing, and period of maturity (Hovey 1852). Hedrick (1921) notes that by some it was thought to be superior to the St. Germain. Elliott (1865) classifies it as American, originating in Boston, Mass., and well suited to extensive orcharding.
Tree
One of the hardiest of pear-trees (Downing 1900). Tree vigorous, upright, with rather long and slender annual shoots, occasionally thorny, horizontal at first but erect at the ends; as the branches become older they assume a rather straggling habit (Hovey 1852). Thomas (1903) confirms that shoots are yellow, rather slender, and often thorny. Elliott (1865) describes the tree as hardy and vigorous, with young shoots pale yellow, upright, and slender.
The tree does not come into bearing until it has attained considerable size (Downing 1900); it is very late in coming into bearing, and on this account cultivators have often rejected it in making a selection of fine pears. The average period of its fruiting is eight or ten years, occasionally in four or five, but oftener twelve and upwards. It has, however, the good quality of constant bearing after it has attained a fruiting state, and the pears ripen off as freely as the Baldwin apple. It does not succeed upon the quince unless double-worked (Hovey 1852). Elliott (1865) likewise notes the tree is unproductive while young. Thomas (1903) calls it a tardy bearer.
The Dix is one of the most marked varieties in the nursery. The wood is almost as yellow, smooth, and slender, as a willow; but the tree has an erect and upright habit, and in time forms a large and fine head (Hovey 1852).
Wood
Young branches dull olive yellow brown, upright, and slender (Downing 1900). Hovey (1852) describes the wood as clear light yellow, smooth and glossy, with very minute dots, slender and rather long-jointed; old wood, pale olive yellow. Buds medium size, roundish ovate, slightly diverging, with very prominent shoulders. Flower-buds medium size.
Leaves
Small, ovate, light green, broadest in the middle, tapering to each end, little recurved on the midrib, slightly wavy, and somewhat reflexed at the edges, with a smooth and glossy surface, and very finely serrated; petioles long, about two inches in length, slender (Hovey 1852). Thomas (1903) describes the leaves as flat.
Flowers
Medium size, petals narrow (Hovey 1852).
Fruit
Size and Form
Large (Downing 1900; Hedrick 1921; Elliott 1865; Budd & Hansen 1914; Thomas 1903; Hovey 1852); about four inches long and three and a half in diameter (Hovey 1852). Form oblong or long pyriform (Downing 1900; Hedrick 1921; Elliott 1865; Budd & Hansen 1914), inclining to pyramidal, regular, largest in the middle, tapering to an obtuse point at the stem (Hovey 1852). Thomas (1903) describes it as large, long pyriform, body round-ovate, tapering slightly to the often oblique and slightly flattened and obtuse crown.
Skin
Roughish or slightly rough (Downing 1900; Hovey 1852; Elliott 1865; Budd & Hansen 1914); fine deep yellow at maturity (Downing 1900; Budd & Hansen 1914), marked with distinct russet dots, and sprinkled with russet around the stalk (Downing 1900; Hedrick 1921; Budd & Hansen 1914). Hedrick (1921) describes the skin as rough, green, with the exposed fruit becoming deep yellow when ripe, marked with distinct russet dots and sprinkled with russet around the stalk. Elliott (1865) describes the skin as little rough, yellow, with russet dots, and russet around the stem. Hovey (1852) gives more detail: skin slightly rough, greenish yellow, becoming pale yellow when mature, broadly tinged with pale red in the sun, and mottled with dots of a deeper shade, often russeted around the crown, and regularly and thickly covered with large distinct russet specks. Thomas (1903) describes it as yellowish green, becoming deep yellow, with dots numerous and distinct.
Stem / Stalk
Rather stout, short, thicker at each end, set rather obliquely, but with little or no depression (Downing 1900). Budd & Hansen (1914) describe the stem as short, stout, thickened at each end, and set obliquely with slight depression at top of neck. Elliott (1865) describes the stem as set obliquely, raised one side, short, stout, thickest at each end. Hovey (1852) gives medium length, about an inch long, rather stout, curved, and inserted in a shallow cavity formed by swellings and projections of the fruit, highest on one side. Thomas (1903) describes the stalk as an inch and a quarter long, stout at each end, slightly sunk.
Cavity
Shallow, formed by swellings and projections of the fruit, highest on one side (Hovey 1852). Downing (1900) reports little or no depression at the stalk; Budd & Hansen (1914) report slight depression at the top of the neck.
Calyx / Eye
Calyx small for so large a fruit (Downing 1900); calyx small (Elliott 1865). Hovey (1852) describes the eye as medium size, open and slightly sunk; segments of the calyx short, stiff, projecting.
Basin
Narrow, and scarcely at all sunk (Downing 1900); narrow and very shallow (Budd & Hansen 1914); shallow (Elliott 1865); small (Thomas 1903). Hovey (1852) describes the basin as very shallow, plaited or furrowed.
Flesh and Flavor
Flesh not very fine-grained, but juicy, rich, sugary, melting, and delicious, with a slight perfume (Downing 1900). Hedrick (1921): flesh melting, rich, juicy, of a fine flavor and by some thought to be superior to the St. Germain. Budd & Hansen (1914): flesh a trifle coarse, but juicy, rich, sugary, melting, delicious. Hovey (1852): flesh yellowish white, coarse, melting, and juicy; flavor rich, sugary, slightly vinous, perfumed and delicious. Elliott (1865): flesh yellowish white, melting, a little harsh, juicy, sweet. Thomas (1903): flesh rather granular, rich, juicy, sweet, often excellent, sometimes rather acid.
Quality very good to best (Downing 1900; Hedrick 1921; Budd & Hansen 1914).
Core / Seeds
Core rather large (Hovey 1852). Elliott (1865) notes that the core is marked with a dark gritty circle, extending toward the stem. Seeds small (Hovey 1852).
Cracking
The fruit often cracks (Thomas 1903; Budd & Hansen 1914), except in drier inland climates with less moisture of air (Budd & Hansen 1914).
Season
October and November (Downing 1900; Hedrick 1921; Elliott 1865). Ripe in November, and keeps four or five weeks (Hovey 1852). Middle and late autumn (Thomas 1903).
Uses
Not described in source beyond dessert/table qualities implied by the flavor descriptions; Elliott (1865) notes the tree is well suited to extensive orcharding.
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Does not succeed upon the quince unless double-worked (Hovey 1852).
Book Sources
Described in 6 period pomological works
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 1 catalog (1864) from Oregon
- St. Helena Nursery , Howell's Prairie, Marion County , Oregon — 1864
View original book sources (6)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Dix.
Dix. Lewis, erroneously, of the French.
The Dix is, unquestionably, a fruit of the highest excellence, and deserves the attention of all planters. It is one of the hardiest of pear-trees, but the tree does not come into bearing until it has attained considerable size. The young branches are dull olive yellow brown, upright, and slender. The original tree stands in the garden of Madam Dix, Boston. It bore for the first time in 1826.
Fruit large, oblong, or long pyriform. Skin roughish, fine deep yellow at maturity, marked with distinct russet dots, and sprinkled with russet around the stalk. Calyx small for so large a fruit. Basin narrow, and scarcely at all sunk. Stalk rather stout, short, thicker at each end, set rather obliquely, but with little or no depression. Flesh not very fine-grained, but juicy, rich, sugary, melting, and delicious, with a slight perfume. Very good to best. October and November.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Dix.
- Prince Pom. Man. 1:142. 1831. 2. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 737, fig. 1869.
Originated in the garden of Madame Dix, Boston, Mass.; it bore first in 1826. Fruit large, oblong or long-pyriform; skin rough, green, the exposed fruit becoming deep yellow when ripe, marked with distinct russet dots and sprinkled with russet around the stalk; flesh melting, rich, juicy, of a fine flavor and by some thought to be superior to the St. Germain; very good to best; Oct. and Nov.
— C.M. Hovey, The Fruits of America (1852)THE DIX PEAR.
Dix. New England Farmer, vol. viii. p. 161, 1830.
Few, if any, of our native pears hold a higher rank than the Dix. The large size, beautiful appearance, and exquisite flavor of its fruit, added to the vigor and hardiness of the tree, its productiveness, constant bearing, and period of maturity, give it a combination of qualities which but few varieties possess. When originally brought into notice, in 1829, it was pronounced "one of the very best autumn pears, which might, with the greatest safety, be introduced into our gardens;" and twenty years' experience have fully confirmed the correctness of that opinion.
The Dix originated in Boston, in the garden of Madame Dix, in compliment to whom it was named, about thirty-five years ago. The tree sprung from seed near the house, and grew so rapidly, that, in 1829, it had attained the height of twenty-three feet, with a stem ten inches in diameter; it still stands in the same spot, and has now become a very large tree. It first began to bear in 1825, but did not produce a full crop till 1829, since which time it has continued to bear abundant crops of fine fruit.
The Dix is very late in coming into bearing, and, on this account, cultivators have often rejected it in making a selection of fine pears. The average period of its fruiting is eight or ten years, occasionally in four or five, but oftener twelve and upwards. It has, however, the good quality of constant bearing after it has attained a fruiting state, and the pears ripen off as freely as the Baldwin apple. It does not succeed upon the quince unless double-worked.
The Dix is one of the most marked varieties in the nursery. The wood is almost as yellow, smooth, and slender, as a willow; but the tree has an erect and upright habit, and in time forms a large and fine head.
Tree.—Vigorous, upright, with rather long and slender annual shoots, occasionally thorny, horizontal at first, but erect at the ends; as the branches become older they assume a rather straggling habit.
Wood.—Clear light yellow, smooth and glossy, with very minute dots, slender and rather long-jointed; old wood, pale olive yellow; buds, medium size, roundish ovate, slightly diverging, with very prominent shoulders: Flower-buds, medium size.
Leaves.—Small, ovate, light green, broadest in the middle, tapering to each end, little recurved on the midrib, slightly wavy, and somewhat reflexed at the edges, with a smooth and glossy surface, and very finely serrated; petioles long, about two inches in length, slender.
Flowers.—Medium size, petals narrow.
Fruit.—Large, about four inches long and three and a half in diameter: Form, oblong, inclining to pyramidal, regular, largest in the middle, tapering to an obtuse point at the stem: Skin, slightly rough, greenish yellow, becoming pale yellow when mature, broadly tinged with pale red in the sun, and mottled with dots of a deeper shade, often russeted around the crown, and regularly and thickly covered with large distinct russet specks: Stem, medium length, about an inch long, rather stout, curved, and inserted in a shallow cavity, formed by swellings and projections of the fruit, highest on one side: Eye, medium size, open and slightly sunk in a very shallow, plaited or furrowed basin; segments of the calyx short, stiff, projecting: Flesh, yellowish white, coarse, melting, and juicy: Flavor, rich, sugary, slightly vinous, perfumed and delicious: Core, rather large: Seeds, small.
Ripe in November, and keeps four or five weeks.
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)Dix.
American. Origin, Boston, Mass. Tree, hardy, vigorous, young shoots, pale yellow, upright, slender, unproductive while young, well suited to extensive orcharding. Fruit, large, oblong pyriform; skin, little rough, yellow, with russet dots, and around the stem: stem, set obliquely, raised one side, short, stout, thickest at each end; calyx, small; basin, shallow; core, marked with a dark gritty circle, extending toward the stem; flesh, yellowish white, melting, a little harsh, juicy, sweet. October and November.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Dix. Large, long pyriform, body round-ovate, tapering slightly to the often oblique and slightly flattened and obtuse crown; yellowish green, becoming deep yellow; dots numerous, distinct; stalk an inch and a quarter long, stout at each end, slightly sunk; basin small; flesh rather granular, rich, juicy, sweet, often excellent, sometimes rather acid. The fruit often cracks. Middle and late autumn. A tardy bearer. Shoots yellow, rather slender, often thorny; leaves flat. A native of Boston, Mass. Fig. 700.
— J.L. Budd & N.E. Hansen, American Horticultural Manual, Part II: Systematic Pomology (1914)Dix. — Large, oblong, or long pyriform; color deep yellow at maturity, with russet dots and russet around the stem; skin somewhat rough; stem short, stout, thickened at each end, and set obliquely with slight depression at top of neck; basin narrow and very shallow. Flesh a trifle coarse, but juicy, rich, sugary, melting, delicious, very good to best. Fruit often cracks except in drier inland climates with less moisture of air. Massachusetts.