Doctor Howe

Pear

Doctor Howe

Origin/History

Originated in the garden of Dr. John J. Howe (Hedrick gives the middle initial as T.) of Birmingham, Connecticut, about 1890. Cited by Hedrick as a promising variety as of 1890. Referenced in Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees of America, 2nd Appendix, p. 146 (1876 edition).

Tree

Healthy, vigorous, and spreading, with numerous branches of firm texture and persistent foliage. Very productive. (Downing; Hedrick does not describe the tree.)

Fruit

Size and Form: Medium. Downing describes the form as roundish, inclining to pyriform, slightly obtuse; Hedrick describes it as globular, inclining to pyriform, somewhat obtuse.

Stem: Medium length. (Downing; not described in Hedrick.)

Cavity: Small. (Downing; not described in Hedrick.)

Calyx: Open. (Downing; not described in Hedrick.)

Basin: Medium, a little uneven. (Downing; not described in Hedrick.)

Skin: Greenish, becoming light yellow at maturity. Slightly netted and patched with russet; Downing additionally notes many russet dots distinct from the russet netting and patches.

Flesh and Flavor: Whitish, half fine (Downing) / semi-fine (Hedrick), juicy, melting, with a sweet, rich, slightly vinous flavor.

Core/Seeds: Not described in source.

Season

Ripens in the last half of October.

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)

Doctor Howe.

Origin, in the garden of Dr. John J. Howe, Birmingham, Conn.; tree healthy, vigorous, spreading, with numerous branches of firm texture and persistent foliage; very productive; a new promising variety of its season.

Fruit medium, roundish, inclining to pyriform, slightly obtuse; skin greenish, but becoming light yellow at maturity; slightly netted and patched with russet, and many russet dots; stalk medium; cavity small; calyx open; basin medium, a little uneven; flesh whitish, half fine, juicy, melting, with a sweet, rich, slightly vinous flavor. Ripens the last half of October.

— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)

Doctor Howe. i. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 2nd App. 146. 1876. Originated in garden of Dr. John T. Howe, Birmingham, Conn., about 1890. Fruit medium, globular, inclining to pyriform, somewhat obtuse, greenish changing to light yellow, netted and patched with russet dots; flesh whitish, semi-fine, juicy, melting, sweet, rich, slightly-vinous flavor; promising in 1890; Oct.

— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)