Reliance Pear

Origin and History

Raised from seed sown in 1857, Reliance was introduced to the Georgia State Horticultural Society by P. J. Berckmans and accepted by the Society in 1890. The variety was named "Reliance" specifically because of its consistent bearing habit — it bears fruit reliably every year, a notable trait for a pear variety.

Fruit

Size and Form: Small pear.

Quality and Flavor: A dessert pear of very good quality, rated as almost equal to Seckel in desirability and flavor.

Season: Summer.

Tree

Bearing: Exceptionally reliable and regular annual bearer.

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Note on Source Limitations

Hedrick's 1921 reference provides no information on the fruit's detailed morphology (color, surface texture, cavity and calyx structure, basin shape, flesh color or texture beyond flavor rating, seed characteristics), stem length or attachment, or tree growth habit and foliage. These details would be necessary for detailed visual identification. If the Reliance pear is encountered in the field, supplementary observation of its small size, summer ripening period, and extremely reliable bearing habit should aid preliminary identification, pending comparison with Seckel for the quality benchmark noted.