Homestead
PearHomestead
Origin/History
Raised by Asahel Foote of Williamstown, Massachusetts, from seed of the Virgalieu, or White Doyenne. Downing notes that Foote raised many seedling pears which promised well, and that those fully tested and found worthy would be noticed. First published in Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees of America, 2nd Appendix (1876).
Tree
Vigorous, upright, a good and annual bearer.
Fruit
Size and Form: Medium or above; oblong obtuse pyriform.
Stem: Long, curved.
Cavity: Small.
Calyx: Large, open.
Basin: Shallow, regular.
Skin: Greenish yellow, often pale yellow when fully matured, sometimes a shade of brownish red where exposed; slightly netted and patched with russet, and many russet dots.
Flesh and Flavor: Whitish; a little coarse around the core (Downing: "a little coarse around the core, half fine"; Hedrick: "rather coarse around the core, semi-fine"); juicy, melting, sweet, slightly vinous, and slightly aromatic.
Season
First week of November to the middle of December.
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)Homestead.
A new pear, raised by Asahel Foote, of Williamstown, Mass., from seed of the Virgalieu or White Doyenne; tree vigorous, upright, good bearer, annually. Mr. Foote has raised many seedling pears which promise well, and when fully tested will be noticed, if worthy.
Fruit medium or above, oblong obtuse pyriform; skin greenish yellow, often pale yellow when fully matured, sometimes a shade of brownish red where exposed, slightly netted and patched with russet, and many russet dots; stalk long, curved; cavity small; calyx large, open; basin shallow, regular; flesh whitish, a little coarse around the core, half fine, juicy, melting, sweet, slightly vinous and slightly aromatic.
Ripens from the first week in November to the middle of December.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Homestead.
- Downing Fr. Trees Am. 2nd App., 150. 1876.
Raised by Asahel Foote, Williamstown, Mass., from seed of White Doyenne. Fruit medium or above, oblong-obtuse-pyriform, greenish-yellow, often pale yellow when fully matured, sometimes a shade of brownish-red where exposed, slightly netted and patched with russet and many russet dots; flesh whitish, rather coarse around the core, semi-fine, melting, sweet, juicy, slightly vinous and aromatic; Nov. and Dec.