Moyamensing
PearOrigin & History
Supposed to be a native (Hedrick). The original tree stood in 1847 in the garden of J. B. Smith of Philadelphia, in the Moyamensing District (Downing, Hedrick). Elliott identifies its origin more broadly as a native of Pennsylvania.
Tree
Vigorous and productive, a regular and abundant bearer. Wood yellowish brown, with light dots (Elliott).
Fruit
Size: Generally medium, though Thomas describes it as medium or large, sometimes quite large.
Form: Variable. Downing describes it as roundish oblate; Hedrick says variable in form, some globular, others obovate; Elliott says roundish obovate; Thomas says round-obovate, rather irregular.
Stem: Downing and Elliott describe the stem as short; Elliott adds stout, often fleshy. Thomas, in contrast, describes the stalk as nearly an inch long, fleshy.
Cavity: Not described in sources.
Calyx: Downing describes the calyx as nearly closed; Elliott describes it as large.
Basin: Furrowed, broad, and rather deep (Elliott, Thomas).
Skin: Lemon yellow, sometimes marked with russet. Downing specifies lemon or greenish yellow, with patches, marblings, and dots of russet. Hedrick describes it as uniform light yellow, with patches and dots of russet. Elliott notes occasional blotches and lines of yellowish russet.
Flesh & Flavor: Whitish or white, buttery, melting, juicy, coarse, and sweet. Hedrick describes it as having "a rich, spicy and delicious flavor." Quality assessments vary: Downing rates it "Good"; Hedrick rates it "good to best"; Elliott rates it "best"; Thomas calls it "good, but not first-rate."
Core & Seeds: Core medium; seeds ovate (Elliott).
Season
August (Downing, Elliott). Hedrick extends the season to August and September. Thomas gives the broadest range, ripening from midsummer till autumn, and notes that the fruit quickly decays.
Uses
Not described in sources.
Book Sources
Described in 4 period pomological works
View original book sources (4)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)MOYAMENSING.
Smith's Early Butter.
Origin in the garden of J. B. Smith, Philadelphia, Moyamensing District. Tree vigorous and productive.
Fruit medium, roundish oblate, lemon or greenish yellow, with patches, marblings, and dots of russet. Stalk short. Calyx nearly closed. Flesh whitish, coarse, juicy, melting, sweet, pleasant. Good. August.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Moyamensing. i. Mag. Hort. 13:274. 1847. 2. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 818. 1869. Supposed to be a native. The original tree stood in 1847 in the garden of J. B. Smith of Philadelphia. Fruit medium, variable in form, some globular, others obovate, uniform light yellow, with patches and dots of russet; flesh whitish, buttery, melting, coarse, sweet; with a rich, spicy and delicious flavor; good to best; Aug. and Sept.
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)MOYAMENSING. Smith's Moyamensing.
Native of Pennsylvania. Tree, vigorous, wood yellowish brown, with light dots, regular and abundant bearer.
Fruit, medium, roundish obovate; color, lemon yellow, with occasional blotches and lines of yellowish russet; stem, short, stout, often fleshy; calyx, large; basin, furrowed, broad, and rather deep; core, medium; seeds, ovate; flesh, white, buttery, melting, juicy, "best." August.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Moyamensing. Medium or large, sometimes quite large, variable; round-obovate, rather irregular; skin lemon yellow, sometimes marked with russet; stalk nearly an inch long, fleshy; basin furrowed; flesh buttery, melting, good, but not first-rate. Ripens from midsummer till autumn, quickly decays. Productive. Origin, Philadelphia.