Hingham

Pear

Origin/History

Originated in Hingham, Massachusetts. Hedrick (1921) cites Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1869) as the primary reference. Note: Downing's text heads the entry as "HIGHAM" while stating it originated in "Hingham, Mass."; Hedrick normalizes the variety name to "Hingham," consistent with the town of origin.

Tree

Vigorous and spreading in habit. (Downing only; not described in Hedrick.)

Fruit

Size and Form: Medium. Shape obovate-acute-pyriform — both sources agree on this form exactly.

Stem: Long. (Downing only.)

Cavity: Not described in source.

Calyx: Partially closed. (Downing only.)

Basin: Not described in source.

Skin: Pale yellow ground, shaded or tinged with red on the side exposed to sun. Freely dotted with brown specks (Hedrick); Downing describes "many brown dots" — both characterizations are consistent.

Flesh/Flavor: Whitish, melting, juicy, and vinous. Rated Good by both sources.

Core/Seeds: Not described in source.

Season

October.

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)

HIGHAM.

Originated in Hingham, Mass. Tree vigorous, spreading.

Fruit medium, obovate acute pyriform, pale yellow, shaded with red in the sun, many brown dots. Stalk long. Calyx partially closed. Flesh whitish, juicy, melting, vinous. Good. October.

— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)

Hingham.

Downing Fr. Trees Am. 783. 1869.

Originated in Hingham, Mass.

Fruit medium, obovate-acute-pyriform, pale yellow, tinged with red on the side next the sun, freely dotted with brown specks; flesh whitish, melting, juicy, vinous; good; Oct.

— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)

HIGHAM