Lexington

Pear

Lexington

Origin/History

Lexington is said to have originated in Kentucky. It is described by Hedrick (1921) as resembling Bartlett. Budd and Hansen (1903/1914) report it as a variety grown in Texas and the South, with the description below supplied by T. V. Munson from personal observation.

Tree

Blooms later than most varieties. Highly resistant to fire blight — Munson notes it "has never blighted since I knew it until this season when a few twigs were attacked when many other varieties were killed." Bears only when cross-pollinated by intermingling varieties.

Fruit

Size and Form: About the size of Bartlett and much like it in appearance (Munson, via Budd & Hansen).

Stem, Cavity, Calyx, Basin, Skin, Flesh/Flavor, Core/Seeds: Not described in source.

Season

The two sources conflict on ripening time relative to Bartlett: Hedrick (1921) states Lexington ripens two weeks earlier than Bartlett; Munson (via Budd & Hansen, 1914) states it ripens one week later than Bartlett. These accounts cannot be reconciled and may reflect observations in different climates or on different selections.

Uses

Not described in source.

Quality

The sources conflict. Hedrick (1921) characterizes Lexington as "too poor" in quality. Munson (via Budd & Hansen, 1914) rates it equal to Bartlett in quality.

Other

Hardy and free from blight, per Hedrick. The blight resistance and late bloom reported by Munson — with Lexington surviving a season that killed many other varieties — suggest particular value as a rootstock candidate or for regions with heavy blight pressure, provided cross-pollinators are present.

Book Sources

Described in 2 period pomological works

Nursery Catalog Sources

Found in 2 catalogs (1901–1913) from Illinois

Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1901
Benjamin Buckman (personal inventory) , Farmingdale , Illinois — 1913

View original book sources (2)

Lexington, 1. Ill. Hort. Soc. Rpt. 187. 1896. 2. Budd-Hansen Am. Hort. Man. 2:253. 1903. Originated in Kentucky and is said to resemble Bartlett, but to ripen two weeks earlier. Hardy and free from blight, but described as "too poor" in quality.

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

Lexington. — A variety grown in Texas and the South. Mr. T. V. Munson's description : " About the size of Bartlett and much like it. It ripens one week later than Bartlett and is equal to it in quality. It has never blighted since I knew it until this season when a few twigs were attacked when many other varieties were killed. It blooms later than most varieties and only bears when cross-pollinated by intermingling varieties."

— J.L. Budd & N.E. Hansen, American Horticultural Manual, Part II: Systematic Pomology (1914)