Eureka
Pear
Stark Bros. Year Book (1910)
Eureka Pear
Origin and History
According to A. M. Augustine (Normal, Illinois), the introducer of this variety, the Eureka pear was first fruited in 1900 by Mr. Dickinson of Eureka, Illinois. It is a chance cross between Seckel and Kieffer, showing characteristics of both parents.
Tree
The tree is reported to be similar to Kieffer in leaf and habit of growth. It exhibits resistance to blight and recovery from blight comparable to Kieffer.
Fruit
Size: Medium
Form: Shaped like Seckel
Skin: Delicate, waxy, bright yellow, slightly russeted, with a bright red cheek
Flesh and Flavor: Flavor of Seckel; more solid than typical; longer keeper
Cavity, Calyx, and Basin: Not described in source
Core and Seeds: Not described in source
Stem: Not described in source
Season and Storage
The fruit is a longer keeper, indicating superior storage capacity compared to typical pears of its era.
Uses
Not described in source.
Other
The variety combines the flavor characteristics of Seckel with the solidity and keeping quality superior to that parent, while inheriting disease resistance traits from Kieffer.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
View original book sources (1)
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Eureka.
- A. M. Augustine Cat. 45. 1916.
According to correspondence with A. M. Augustine, Normal, Ill., the introducer of this pear, it was fruited in 1900 by a Mr. Dickinson of Eureka, Ill.; a chance cross between Seckel and Kieffer and shows characteristics of both parents. Tree reported similar to Kieffer in leaf, habit of growth and resistance to and recovery from blight. Fruit medium, shaped like Seckel; skin delicate, waxy, bright yellow, slightly russeted, with a bright red cheek; flesh flavor of Seckel, more solid, longer keeper.