Frederika Bremer
PearFrederika Bremer
Origin/History
An American pear variety originating in Oneida County, New York. Introduced by J. C. Hastings of Clinton, Oneida Co., N. Y. According to Hedrick, it was introduced in 1848 at the exhibition of the Pomological Convention of New York. Early published descriptions appeared in Magazine of Horticulture 16:24 (1850, with figure) and Annales de Pomologie Belge 7:81 (1859, with figure).
Tree
Vigorous (per Downing). Other tree characteristics not described in source.
Fruit
Size
Sources vary slightly: Downing describes the fruit as medium; Hedrick, Elliott, and Thomas describe it as above medium, with Thomas calling it "rather large."
Form
Variable in form. Downing: irregularly obtuse pyriform, sometimes Bergamotte-shaped. Hedrick: globular-turbinate. Elliott: roundish obovate, obtuse pyriform. Thomas: varying from roundish to pyriform.
Stem
One to one and a half inches long, rarely set in a cavity (Elliott).
Cavity
Rarely a cavity present (Elliott).
Calyx
Open, with short, erect segments (Elliott).
Basin
Rather deep, with slight furrows (Elliott).
Skin
Very smooth and shining. Color is initially a dull green, reminding one of many poor pears, but on ripening becomes a fine citron or pale yellow. Marked with brown-russet dots (Hedrick) or slight russet dots (Elliott), and slightly colored with red on the side exposed to the sun (Hedrick). Downing simply describes the skin as greenish yellow; Thomas as greenish-yellow.
Flesh/Flavor
Flesh white to whitish, fine (Hedrick), melting, buttery, juicy, sweet and vinous, slightly perfumed. Elliott notes the flesh is "a little coarse" and that quality is "variable; often only 'good.'" Downing rates it "Good." Hedrick calls it "one of the best."
Core/Seeds
Core medium; seeds blackish (Elliott).
Season
October (Downing, Hedrick, Thomas); October–November (Elliott).
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Elliott notes the variety has been erroneously called "Virgalieu" by some.
Book Sources
Described in 4 period pomological works
View original book sources (4)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Frederika Bremer.
Introduced by J. C. Hastings, of Clinton, Oneida Co., N. Y. Tree vigorous.
Fruit medium, irregularly obtuse pyriform, sometimes Bergamotte-shaped, greenish yellow. Flesh whitish, melting, buttery, sweet, and vinous, slightly perfumed. Good. October.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Frederica Bremer.
- Mag. Hort. 16:24, fig. 1850.
- Ann. Pom. Belge 7:81, fig. 1859.
Introduced by J. C. Hastings of Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1848 at the exhibition of the Pomological Convention of New York. Fruit above medium, globular-turbinate; skin very smooth, shining, dull green reminding one of many poor pears but on ripening becomes a fine citron, dotted with brown-russet and slightly colored with red on the side of the sun; flesh white, fine, buttery, sweet and vinous, slightly perfumed; one of the best; Oct.
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)Frederika Bremer. Virgalieu, erroneously, of some. American. From Oneida Co., N. Y. Fruit, above medium, roundish obovate, obtuse pyriform, greenish, becoming pale yellow with slight russet dots ; stem, one to one and a half inch long, rarely a cavity ; calyx, open, short, erect segments ; basin, rather deep, slight furrows ; core, medium ; seeds, blackish ; flesh, white, a little coarse, melting, juicy. Quality, variable ; often only "good." October, November.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Frederika Bremer. Rather large, varying from roundish to pyriform, greenish-yellow; melting, vinous. October. N. Y.