Eliot's Early
PearEliot's Early
Origin/History
Raised by Charles Eliot (described by Hedrick as Judge Charles Eliot) of Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Hedrick states the variety was raised from a cross between Madeleine and Doyenné d'Été. Downing received specimens from James Dougall and notes that it ripens a week or more before the Madeline. Recorded in the American Pomological Society Report (1871) and illustrated in Rural New York (51:602, figs. 242, 243, 1892).
Tree
Strong, vigorous, and hardy. An early and productive bearer.
Fruit
Size and Form: Small, pyriform; Downing adds that the form is regular.
Stem: Long, slender, curved.
Cavity: Small, russeted.
Calyx: Closed or partially open.
Basin: Downing describes the basin as small and slightly plaited. Hedrick describes the base as small (terminology may differ slightly — Hedrick's "base" may correspond to Downing's "basin").
Skin: Pale greenish yellow, brownish red where exposed to the sun.
Flesh and Flavor: Whitish, half-fine, juicy, melting, sweet, slightly perfumed. Quality rated good to very good.
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
July.
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)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Eliot's Early.
A new early pear, raised by Charles Eliot, of Windsor, Ontario. Specimens received from James Dougall, who writes that the tree is very hardy, a strong, vigorous grower, an early bearer, very productive, and ripens a week or more before the Madeline.
Fruit small pyriform, regular; skin pale greenish yellow, brownish red when exposed to the sun; stalk long, slender, curved; cavity small, russeted; calyx closed or partially open; basin small, slightly plaited; flesh whitish, half fine, juicy, melting, sweet, slight perfume; good to very good. July.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Eliot Early. 1. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt. 52. 1871. 2. Rural N. Y. 51:602, figs. 242, 243. 1892.
Said to have been raised by Judge Charles Eliot of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, from a cross between Madeleine and Doyenné d'Été. Tree strong, vigorous, hardy, an early and productive bearer. Fruit small, pyriform, pale greenish-yellow, brownish-red next the sun; stem long, slender, curved; cavity small, russeted; calyx closed or partially open; base small; flesh whitish, half-fine, juicy, melting, sweet, slightly perfumed; good to very good; July.