Petit-Muscat
PearOrigin and History
The Petit-Muscat is an ancient variety with documented history in European pomological literature dating to the sixteenth century. Charles Estienne was the first to describe it in France in 1530, naming it Musquette. The variety was subsequently documented by Jacq. Daléchamp (1615), Jean Jonston (1662), and Henri Manger (1783).
Jean Mayer, director of the gardens of the Grand Duke of Württemberg, Bavaria, demonstrated in his Pomona franconica (1801) that the Petit-Muscat was the antique pear Superba described by Pliny.
Historical references:
- Knoop Fructologie 1:75, Tab. 1 (1771)
- Leroy Dict. Pom. 2:522, fig. (1869)
- Downing Fruits of America p. 802 (1869) [as "Little Muscat"]
Fruit
Size and Form: Very small; turbinate, more or less obtuse, and sometimes globular-turbinate.
Stem and Calyx: Eye placed in a regular-formed cavity and always naked in consequence of the segments of the calyx falling off.
Skin: Pale greenish-yellow, finely dotted, and slightly clouded with rose on the side of the sun (in France).
Flesh and Flavor: Yellowish, semi-fine, breaking, not very juicy. Sugary, acidulous, and with a pleasant musk flavor.
Quality: Second class.
Season
June.
Tree
Not described in source.
Uses
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
View original book sources (1)
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Petit-Muscat.
- Knoop Fructologie 1:75, Tab. 1. 1771.
- Leroy Diet. Pom. 2:522, fig. 1869. Little Muscat. 3. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 802. 1869.
Jean Mayer, director of the gardens of the Grand Duke of Wurtzburg, Bavaria, in his Pomona franconica published in 1801 showed that the Petit-Muscat was the antique pear Superba described by Pliny. Various other pomologists wrote of it prior to Mayer as for instance Jacq. Daléchamp, 1615; Jean Jonston, 1662; and Henri Manger, 1783. Charles Estienne was the first to write of it in France, 1530, and he named it Musquette. Fruit very small, turbinate, more or less obtuse and sometimes globular-turbinate; the eye is placed in a regular-formed cavity and is always naked in consequence of the segments of the calyx falling off, pale greenish-yellow, finely dotted and slightly clouded with rose on the side of the sun (in France); flesh yellowish, semi-fine, breaking, not very juicy, sugary, acidulous and with a pleasant musk flavor; second; June.