Island

Island Pear

Origin/History

Sources give slightly varying accounts of origin. Downing places origin at New Utrecht, Long Island. Hedrick specifies that the variety originated with Cornelius Bergen on Bergen Island adjoining Long Island, about 1848, and cites Field's Pear Culture (1858) and Downing (1869) as early references. Elliott (1865), writing before Downing's later edition, describes it simply as "From Gowanus, L.I." and notes it as new at the time of writing. New Utrecht and Gowanus are neighboring districts of the same area of Long Island (present-day Brooklyn), consistent with the Bergen Island attribution.

Tree

Moderately vigorous, upright habit. Young wood olive yellow brown. (Downing.) Tree described by Elliott as very productive.

Fruit

Size and Form: Medium. Sources differ on form: Downing describes the fruit as roundish pyriform; Hedrick describes it as short-pyriform inclining to turbinate, often turbinate or Bergamot-shaped; Elliott gives pyramidal form.

Stem: Stalk short. (Downing.)

Cavity: Not described in source.

Calyx: Open. (Downing.)

Basin: Not described in source.

Skin: Pale yellow, netted, sprinkled, and patched with russet (Downing and Hedrick agree). Hedrick adds that the surface is covered thickly with small brown spots and slightly shaded with crimson where exposed to the sun.

Flesh and Flavor: White, a little granular, juicy, melting (Downing and Hedrick agree). On flavor, Downing describes it as sweet and slightly perfumed; Hedrick gives the flavor as sprightly, perfumed, and somewhat aromatic; Elliott calls it rich and aromatic.

Core/Seeds: Not described in source.

Season

Downing gives October. Hedrick gives September and October.

Uses

Not described in source beyond general quality ratings. Elliott notes the variety is very productive.

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Quality rated "Good" by Downing; "Very good" by Hedrick.