Penn
PearPenn Pear
Origin / History
The variety originated near the old Penn Manor, from which it takes its name. The two sources conflict on the precise location: Downing places the origin at Bordentown, New Jersey; Hedrick states the original tree stood in Pennsylvania, on the margin of land that later became the track of the Camden and Amboy Railroad. Hedrick adds that the railroad company threatened to cut the tree down owing to its position so close to the track, and that from this confrontation the variety acquired the name "Railroad Fuss," by which it was known for many years. Hedrick dates the planting to "the beginning of the last century" (i.e., early 1800s). The variety has also been called Fraser or Butter Pear (Downing).
Tree
Vigorous and upright in habit; an annual bearer. (Hedrick does not describe the tree.)
Fruit
Size and form: Medium. Oblate in the predominant form; Downing gives the secondary form as "sometimes roundish oblate," while Hedrick gives it as "sometimes globular-oblate, angular."
Stem: Rather stout, enlarged at the point of insertion (Downing).
Cavity: Slight, uneven (Downing).
Calyx: Open. Segments short, erect (Downing).
Basin: Slightly furrowed (Downing).
Skin: Pale lemon-yellow, thickly sprinkled with small grayish and russet dots; sometimes with a few patches and dots of russet around the calyx.
Flesh and flavor: White, a little coarse. The sources agree the flesh is melting, sweet, pleasant, and slightly aromatic; Hedrick specifies "very juicy" and "refreshing flavor" where Downing gives simply "juicy," and Hedrick adds "a little musky perfume" not mentioned by Downing.
Quality rating: Good to very good (both sources).
Season
October.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Bibliographic references (Hedrick): Horticulturist 18:58, fig. (1863); Downing, Fruits and Fruit Trees of America, p. 831 (1869).
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 1 catalog (1900)
- Central Experimental Farm , Dominion Department of Agriculture, Agassiz, British Columbia (under test; Bulletin No. 3, Second Series) — 1900
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Penn.
Fraser or Butter Pear. Railroad Fuss.
A variety originated in Bordentown, N. J., near the old Penn Manor, hence the name. Tree vigorous, upright, an annual bearer.
Fruit medium, oblate, sometimes roundish oblate, pale lemon yellow, thickly sprinkled with small grayish and russet dots, and sometimes a few patches and dots of russet around the calyx. Stalk rather stout, enlarged at insertion. Cavity slight, uneven. Calyx open. Segments short, erect. Basin slightly furrowed. Flesh white, a little coarse, juicy, melting, sweet, pleasant, slightly aromatic. Good to very good. October.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Penn.
- Horticulturist 18:58, fig. 1863.
- Downing Fr. Trees Am. 831. 1869.
The original tree was planted at the beginning of the last century close to the old Penn Manor in Pennsylvania and on the margin of land which became the track of the Camden and Amboy Railroad. Inasmuch as its position was so close to the railway the company threatened to cut it down. Hence it acquired the name of Railroad Fuss by which it was known for many years. Fruit medium, oblate, sometimes globular-oblate, angular, pale lemon-yellow, thickly sprinkled with small grayish and russet dots, sometimes with a few patches and dots of russet around the calyx; flesh white, a little coarse, very juicy, melting, with a sweet, pleasant, refreshing flavor, slightly aromatic, with a little musky perfume; good to very good; Oct.