Musk
Pear
Musk
Origin / History
Musk is described by William Coxe in A View of the Cultivation of Fruit Trees (1817), where it appears as item 19 under the heading "Musk, Spice, or Rousselet de Rheims." Coxe calls it an "excellent and popular pear." The name Musk derives from its flavor, as Coxe states that the pear "derives its name in common use" from its "very peculiar musky flavour." The variety is also listed under the names Spice and Rousselet de Rheims in the same heading.
Tree
The tree is remarkably vigorous and grows with long shoots, resembling the Catharine in this respect. It is often called the late Catharine, or autumn Catharine, on account of this resemblance. The tree does not bear until large, after which it is very fruitful.
Fruit
Size: Less than the medium size.
Form: Oval, a little produced towards the stem.
Stem: Short and thick.
Cavity: Not described in source.
Calyx: The blossom end is round and even. The eye is large.
Basin: Not described in source.
Skin: Greenish yellow, with a brilliant cheek towards the sun, sometimes red, sometimes brown.
Dots: Spotted with small dots in every part of the skin.
Flesh and flavor: Half breaking and fine, with a high and very peculiar musky flavor.
Core and seeds: Not described in source.
Season
Musk ripens in August and September. It is eaten in the highest perfection when fully ripe from the tree.
Uses
Musk is eaten fresh. It is at its best when fully ripe and eaten directly from the tree. Coxe calls it an excellent and popular pear.
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
- Coxe, A View of the Cultivation of Fruit Trees (1817) — listed as Musk, or Spice
View original book sources (1)
— William Coxe, A View of the Cultivation of Fruit Trees (1817)
- MUSK, SPICE, OR ROUSSELET DE RHEIMS.
This excellent and popular pear, is less than the medium size — the form is oval, a little produced towards the stem, which is short and thick, the blossom end round and even ; the eye large ; the skin a greenish yellow, with a brilliant cheek towards the Sun, sometimes red, sometimes brown, spotted with small dots in every part ; the flesh is half breaking, fine, and of a high and very peculiar musky flavour, whence it derives its name in common use.
The tree is remarkably vigorous, grows with long shoots like the Catharine, from which it is often called the late Catharine, or autumn Catharine ; it does not bear till large, it is then very fruitful ; the time of ripening in August and September ; it is eaten in the highest perfection when fully ripe from the tree.