Josephine de Binche
PearJosephine de Binche
Origin/History
Raised at Binche, Belgium, from seed of Josephine de Malines. First described in 1869; cited in Guide Pratique 110 (1876).
Tree
Very vigorous and very productive. Branches smooth, of a yellowish brown, with grayish dots. Bark, twigs, buds, leaves, and bearing habit not further described in sources.
Fruit
Size and Form: Medium. Downing describes the form as roundish obtuse pyriform; Hedrick describes it as globular-turbinate.
Stem: Of medium length, small, inserted in a moderate cavity.
Cavity: Moderate.
Calyx: Eye large, deeply sunk.
Basin: Not described in source.
Skin: Downing describes the skin as smooth, clear yellow, netted with brown and russet. Hedrick describes a bright yellow ground washed with brown.
Flesh and Flavor: Downing describes the flesh as half fine, half melting, very juicy, sugary, of an exquisite perfumed flavor. Hedrick describes the flesh as semi-melting, very juicy, sugary, with an exquisite flavor. Hedrick rates it first quality.
Core and Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
October to December (Downing); November and December (Hedrick).
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
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)Josephine de Binche.
Raised at Binche, Belgium, from seed of Josephine de Malines. Tree very vigorous and very productive, branches smooth, of a yellowish brown, with grayish dots.
Fruit medium, roundish obtuse pyriform; skin smooth, clear yellow, netted with brown and russet; stalk of medium length, small, inserted in a moderate cavity; eye large, deeply sunk; flesh half fine, half melting, very juicy, sugary, of an exquisite perfumed flavor. October, December.—Ills. Horticole.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Josephine de Binche.
i. Guide Prat. 110. 1876.
Described in 1869. Fruit medium, globular-turbinate, bright yellow ground washed with brown; flesh semi-melting, very juicy, sugary, with an exquisite flavor; first; Nov. and Dec.