Hanners'

Origin/History

Originated in the garden of Mr. Hanners, Boston, Massachusetts (Downing). Elliott notes that the origin has been considered uncertain, and that the variety was long regarded as a synonym of the Cushing pear, but was shown to be distinct; Mr. C. M. Hovey was the first to point out the error.

Tree

Growth habit upright; a good grower and bearer (Downing). Shoot color is given as dull olive by Downing, and as brownish yellow by Elliott.

Fruit

Size and form: Downing describes the fruit as large, oblong, and very obtuse pyriform. Elliott and Thomas both describe it as medium in size, oblong; Elliott specifying it as rounded at the crown and obtuse at the stem end, Thomas as oblong-obovate.

Skin: Yellowish green, ripening to pale yellow (Elliott, Thomas); Downing describes the ground color as greenish yellow. The surface is slightly netted and patched with russet (Downing), or with large pale russet patches (Elliott). Numerous green and russet dots present (Downing); large pale russet dots noted by Elliott.

Stem: Stout (Elliott, Thomas). Downing notes the stalk is variable — sometimes long, pretty stout — and set in a cavity, often with a lip. Elliott describes the base as swollen.

Cavity: Present; stalk set in a cavity (Downing).

Calyx: Open (Downing, Elliott). Segments long, slender, and recurved (Downing). Elliott describes the calyx as small.

Basin: Shallow, uneven, slightly russeted (Downing).

Core: Large (Elliott).

Flesh and flavor: Flesh whitish to white, juicy, melting (all three sources). Downing characterizes the flavor as pleasant, sweet, and a little perfumed. Elliott describes it as vinous. Quality rated "very good" by all sources.

Season

September.

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Not described in source.