Pemberton
PearPemberton
Origin/History
A seedling raised by S. A. Shurtleff, of Boston, Massachusetts. Downing's description is drawn from Hovey's Magazine of Horticulture; Hedrick cross-references Downing (1869). Also known historically as General Banks.
Tree
Not described in source.
Fruit
Size: Medium.
Form: Downing describes the fruit as roundish, obtuse at the stem. Hedrick describes it as inclining to oval.
Stem: Short and stout (Downing). Not described by Hedrick.
Cavity: Not described in source.
Calyx: Large, open (Downing). Not described by Hedrick.
Basin: Shallow, ribbed (Downing). Not described by Hedrick.
Skin: Nearly smooth (Downing). Ground color described by Downing as yellowish green; Hedrick describes it as light green, yellowish on the sun side. The sun-exposed side shows a shade of red (Downing) or is yellowish with sometimes a red cheek (Hedrick). Dotting: Downing notes greenish specks; Hedrick describes the skin as thickly sprinkled with dark dots.
Flesh and Flavor: Flesh yellowish white (Downing); not described by Hedrick. The two sources conflict on texture: Downing calls the flesh fine and melting; Hedrick calls it somewhat coarse. Both agree it is juicy. Downing notes a rich bergamot aroma. Hedrick describes the flavor as sweet and rates it good.
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
The sources conflict on season. Downing gives Early September. Hedrick gives February and March.
Uses
Not described in source beyond Hedrick's quality rating of "good."
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)Pemberton.
General Banks.
Originated with S. A. Shurtleff, of Boston, Mass.
Fruit medium size, roundish, obtuse at the stem, nearly smooth, yellowish green, shade of red in the sun, and dotted with greenish specks. Stalk short, stout. Calyx large, open. Basin shallow, ribbed. Flesh yellowish white, fine, melting, juicy, with a rich bergamot aroma. Early September. (Hov. Mag.)
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Pemberton.
- Downing Fr. Trees Am. 831. 1869.
A seedling of S. A. Shurtleff, Boston, Mass. Fruit medium, inclining to oval, light green, thickly sprinkled with dark dots, yellowish on the side of the sun, with sometimes a red cheek; flesh somewhat coarse, but juicy, sweet; good; Feb. and Mar.