Japan
PearJapan
Origin / History
Raised by Gideon Ross, Westfield, N. J. Downing says the seeds were brought from Japan and calls it a "peculiar Pear," similar to the Chinese sand pear. Hedrick (citing Horticulturist 23:71, fig. 34, 1868) says the seeds were found in the trunk of his nephew, who died on his way from Japan.
Tree
Very vigorous grower, with very large thick leaves. Early and abundant bearer. Young wood rich clear brown, with long white specks.
Fruit
Size: Medium.
Form: Oblate.
Stem: Stalk very long.
Cavity: Open, deep.
Calyx: Inconspicuous.
Basin: Deep, open, broad.
Skin: Cinnamon yellow russet (Downing); reddish-russet-yellow, rough (Hedrick).
Dots: Many, large, light-colored specks.
Flesh and flavor: Coarse, gritty, firm; in consistence and flavor much like a delicate quince. Downing adds that the flesh is hard, with a peculiar quince-like aroma.
Core and seeds: Not described in source.
Season
October to February. Downing gives October, December; Hedrick gives October to February.
Uses
Valued only for cooking; very fine for cooking (Downing). Of no value for dessert (Hedrick).
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)Japan.
This peculiar Pear originated with Gideon Ross, of Westfield, N. J., from seeds brought from Japan, and is similar to Chinese sand pear. The tree is a very vigorous grower, with very large thick leaves, an early and abundant bearer. Young wood rich clear brown, with long white specks. It has a hard flesh, with a peculiar quince-like aroma, and is only valued for cooking.
Fruit medium, oblate, cinnamon yellow russet, with many large light-colored specks. Stalk very long. Cavity open, deep. Calyx inconspicuous. Basin deep, open, broad. Flesh coarse, gritty, firm, in consistence and flavor much like a delicate quince. Very fine for cooking. October, December.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Japan,
- Horticulturist 23:71, fig. 34. 1868.
Raised by Gideon Ross, Westfield, N. J., from seeds found in the trunk of his nephew who died on his way from Japan.
Fruit medium, oblate; skin rough, reddish-russet-yellow with large light-colored specks; flesh coarse, gritty, firm, with a consistence and flavor much like that of a delicate quince; of no value for dessert; Oct. to Feb.