Hoosic
PearOrigin/History
Raised from seed of Hacon's Incomparable by Asahel Foote of Williamstown, Massachusetts, and distributed by him about 1870 (Hedrick). Documented in W. N. Y. Hort. Soc. Rpt. 116 (1880) and Ont. Dept. Ag. Fr. Grd. 166 (1914).
Tree
Vigorous and upright in habit, very productive. Thomas describes the tree as erect, vigorous, and prolific.
Fruit
Size: Large (all sources); Hedrick rates it large to very large.
Form: Sources differ slightly: Downing describes the fruit as roundish, inclining to obtuse pyriform; Hedrick as obtuse-pyriform and somewhat one-sided; Thomas as obovate.
Stem: Long and curved, set at an inclination in a small cavity (Downing).
Cavity: Small (Downing).
Calyx: Open (Downing).
Basin: Rather broad, moderately deep, a little uneven (Downing).
Skin: All sources agree on a yellow-green ground with russet. Downing describes it as greenish yellow, turning deep yellow where exposed and fully mature, with some traces and nettings of russet and many russet dots. Thomas describes it as greenish-yellow and russeted. Hedrick describes the color simply as yellow, with russet dots and a light red blush in the sun — the only source to mention a blush.
Flesh and Flavor: Downing: whitish, half fine, juicy, melting, quite rich and aromatic; quality very good. Hedrick: fine, white, tender, moderately juicy, with a rich almond flavor; quality ranking as "best" for all purposes. Thomas: buttery, juicy, spicy; good.
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
October (all sources).
Uses
First class for near market; quality ranked "best" for all purposes (Hedrick).
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 3 period pomological works
View original book sources (3)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Hoosic.
A promising new variety, raised from seed of Hacon's Incomparable by Asahel Foote, of Williamstown, Mass. Tree vigorous, upright, very productive.
Fruit large, roundish, inclining to obtuse pyriform; skin greenish yellow, deep yellow where exposed and fully mature, some traces and nettings of russet, and many russet dots; stalk long, curved, set at an inclination in a small cavity; calyx open; basin rather broad, moderately deep, a little uneven; flesh whitish, half fine, juicy, melting, quite rich and aromatic; very good. Season October.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Hoosic.
- W. N. Y. Hort. Soc. Rpt. 116. 1880. 2. Ont. Dept. Ag. Fr. Grd. 166. 1914. Raised by A. Foote, Williamstown, Mass., from seed of Hacon Incomparable, and distributed by him about 1870. Fruit large to very large, obtuse-pyriform, somewhat one-sided, yellow, with russet dots and light red blush in the sun; flesh fine, white, tender, moderately juicy, with a rich almond flavor; quality ranking as "best" for all purposes; first class for near market; Oct.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Hoosic. Large, obovate; greenish-yellow, russeted; flesh buttery, juicy, spicy, good. Tree erect, vigorous, prolific. Oct.