Pennsylvania
PearPennsylvania Pear
Origin and History
The Pennsylvania is a seedling originating on the grounds of J. B. Smith of Pennsylvania — Downing identifies him more specifically as being of Philadelphia and as a well-known amateur. The variety was first recorded in the Magazine of Horticulture in 1844, and by 1845 the original tree was stated to be nearly forty feet high. It is also known as Smith's Pennsylvania.
Tree
In 1845 the original tree was described as nearly forty feet high, of a pyramidal form and remarkably robust habit (Hedrick).
Fruit
Size and Form: Medium size. Downing describes the form as roundish obovate; Hedrick describes it as obovate, tapering toward the stem, and obtuse — omitting the "roundish" qualifier.
Skin: Brown russet nearly covering a dull yellow ground; ruddy or russet red on the sunny side.
Flesh: Yellowish-white. Downing describes it as not very fine-grained, juicy, half melting; Hedrick describes it as coarse, melting, and juicy — both agree on coarse texture, with Hedrick allowing fuller melt. Flavor is rich, sweet and sugary, slightly perfumed, with a musky character (both sources agree on the musky-perfumed quality; Hedrick adds "rich" and "sugary").
Quality: The sources diverge on quality assessment. Downing rates it "hardly good." Hedrick rates it "good but not strictly first rate," comparing it favorably as an American fruit alongside Buffum, Cushing, and Fulton.
Season
Downing places it in the middle and last of September. Hedrick gives October. The two sources conflict on ripening time; the variety may ripen in late September to early October depending on location.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Pennsylvania.
Smith's Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania is a seedling originated by J. B. Smith, Esq., of Philadelphia, a well-known amateur.
Fruit of medium size, roundish obovate, brown russet, nearly covering a dull yellow ground, and becoming russet red on the sunny side. Flesh yellowish white, not very fine-grained, juicy, half melting, sweet, perfumed, musky flavor. Hardly good. Middle and last of September.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Pennsylvania.
- Mag. Hort. 10:213. 1844.
- Downing Fr. Trees Am. 832. 1869.
A seedling found on the ground of J. B. Smith of Pennsylvania. In 1845 the original tree was stated to be nearly forty feet high, of a pyramidal form and remarkably robust habit. Fruit medium, obovate, tapering toward the stem, obtuse, brown-russet on dull yellow ground, ruddy on the sunny side; flesh yellowish-white, coarse, melting, juicy, rich, sugary, slightly perfumed and with a musky flavor; good but not strictly first rate; as an American fruit it may be ranked with Buffum, Cushing and Fulton; Oct.