Housatonic

Pear

Housatonic

Origin/History

Originated in the garden of John J. Howe (referred to as Dr. John J. Howe by Downing) of Birmingham, Connecticut. Hedrick cites Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees of America, 2nd Appendix, p. 151 (1876) as the earliest published reference.

Tree

Healthy and vigorous, rather upright in habit; a good bearer. (Downing.)

Fruit

Size: Rather large.

Form: Downing describes the form as roundish pyriform; Hedrick describes it as globular-pyriform.

Stem: Rather long, curved. (Downing.)

Cavity: Small. (Downing.)

Calyx: Small, closed. (Downing.)

Basin: Rather shallow, slightly plaited. (Downing.)

Skin: Greenish yellow, with many green and brown dots. Surface a little uneven (Downing) / uneven (Hedrick).

Flesh/Flavor: White, half fine / semi-fine (both sources agree on the substance; Downing uses "half fine," Hedrick "semi-fine"), juicy, melting, rich, and vinous.

Core/Seeds: Not described in source.

Season

November.

Uses

A good late variety. (Downing.)

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Not described in source.

Book Sources

Described in 2 period pomological works

View original book sources (2)

Housatonic.

Origin, in the garden of Dr. John J. Howe, of Birmingham, Conn.; tree healthy and vigorous, rather upright; a good bearer, and a good late variety.

Fruit rather large, roundish pyriform; surface a little uneven; skin greenish yellow, many green and brown dots; stalk rather long, curved; cavity small; calyx small, closed; basin rather shallow, slightly plaited; flesh white, half fine, juicy, melting, rich and vinous. November.

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

Housatonic.

i. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 2nd App., 151. 1876.

Originated in the garden of John J. Howe, Birmingham, Conn. Fruit rather large, globular-pyriform; surface uneven, greenish-yellow, with many green and brown dots; flesh white, semi-fine, juicy, melting, rich, vinous; Nov.

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