Eastern Belle
Pear
USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection
Eastern Belle
Origin/History
Originated with Henry McLaughlin, Bangor, Maine. First recorded in the Massachusetts Horticultural Society Report (1870) and subsequently described by Downing (1872, First Appendix, p. 126, with figure) and in later editions. Downing notes that specimens received from McLaughlin were of excellent quality.
Tree
Hardy, vigorous. Downing describes the tree as a regular bearer; Hedrick describes it as productive. Young shoots yellow brown (Downing).
Fruit
Size and Form: Medium. Obovate pyriform, somewhat obtuse (Downing).
Stem: Short, stout, inclined, sometimes fleshy at its insertion; set in a slight depression; much russeted (Downing).
Cavity: Slight depression at stem insertion (Downing). Not described in source (Hedrick, Thomas).
Calyx: Open (Downing). Not described in source (Hedrick, Thomas).
Basin: Medium, nearly smooth, with slight russet (Downing). Not described in source (Hedrick, Thomas).
Skin: Pale yellow, with nettings and patches of russet and many russet dots. Regarding sun-exposed color: Downing states the fruit is often shaded with light red in the sun; Hedrick describes it as occasionally blushed with bright red.
Flesh and Flavor: Whitish yellow. Slightly coarse at the core (Downing describes it as "a little coarse at the core"; Hedrick as "coarse at center"). Juicy, half-melting, very sweet, rich. Regarding aroma: Downing characterizes it as "slightly aromatic, and a peculiar slight musky perfume"; Hedrick describes "a peculiar piquant aroma"; Thomas notes "musky."
Quality: Downing and Thomas rate it "very good"; Hedrick rates it "good."
Season
September.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
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)Eastern Belle.
Raised by Henry McLaughlin, Bangor, Me., from whom we received specimens, which were of excellent quality. Tree hardy, vigorous, and a regular bearer; young shoots yellow brown.
Eastern Belle.
Fruit medium, obovate pyriform, somewhat obtuse; skin pale yellow, often shaded with light red in the sun, a few nettings and patches of russet, and many russet dots; stalk short, stout, inclined, and sometimes fleshy at its insertion in a slight depression, much russeted; calyx open; basin medium, nearly smooth, slight russet; flesh whitish yellow, a little coarse at the core, juicy, half melting, very sweet, rich, slightly aromatic, and a peculiar slight musky perfume; very good. September.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Eastern Belle, i. Mass. Hort. Soc. Rpt. 32. 1870. 2. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 1st App., 126, fig. 1872.
This pear originated with Henry McLaughlin, Bangor, Me. Tree hardy, vigorous, productive; fruit of medium size, obovate-pyriform; skin pale yellow, with nettings and patches of russet and many russet dots, occasionally blushed with bright red; flesh whitish-yellow, coarse at center, juicy, half-melting, sweet, rich, with a peculiar piquant aroma; good; Sept.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Eastern Belle. Medium, obovate pyriform, yellow, some russet; sweet, rich, musky; very good. September. Maine.