Simon Bouvier
PearOrigin/History
The variety is also known as Souvenir de Simon Bouvier. The sources conflict on the originator: Downing states it originated in 1833 with M. Gregoire, of Jodoigne, Belgium; Hedrick states it was raised by Simon Bouvier, Jodoigne, Belgium. Both agree on the town of origin.
Hedrick's references: Leroy, Dict. Pom. 2:666, fig. 1869; Hogg, Fruit Man. 646, 1884; Guide Prat. 108, 305, 1876.
Tree
Moderately vigorous. Young wood rich brown. (Downing)
Fruit
Size and Form: Medium to above in size (Downing); medium, symmetrical (Hedrick). Shape described by Downing as obovate obtuse pyriform; Hedrick describes it as ovate, always swelled toward the base.
Stem: Short (Downing). Not described in Hedrick.
Cavity: Shallow and broad (Downing). Not described in Hedrick.
Calyx: Open; segments reflexed. (Downing) Not described in Hedrick.
Basin: Not described in source.
Skin: Downing describes the skin as rough, yellow, netted, patched, and dotted with russet, with a few specks and marblings of crimson in the sun. Hedrick describes it as green shaded with dull yellow, dotted and stained with russet; no crimson is mentioned.
Flesh and Flavor: White (Downing) / whitish (Hedrick); fine, almost free from granulations (Hedrick); buttery, melting (Downing); juicy and melting (Hedrick). Juice extremely abundant and saccharine, very acidulous, highly perfumed, having an aftertaste of musky anis which adds to its delicacy (Hedrick). Downing characterizes the flavor as sweet and perfumed. Quality rated first (Hedrick).
Core/Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
The sources conflict: Downing gives October–November; Hedrick gives September.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Downing cites Almanach Pomologique (Al. Pom.) as his 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)Simon Bouvier.
Souvenir de Simon Bouvier.
Originated in 1833, with M. Gregoire, of Jodoigne, Belgium. Tree moderately vigorous. Young wood rich brown.
Fruit medium or above, obovate obtuse pyriform. Skin rough, yellow, netted, patched, and dotted with russet, and a few specks and marblings of crimson in the sun. Stalk short, inserted in a shallow, broad cavity. Calyx open. Segments reflexed. Flesh white, buttery, melting, juicy, sweet, perfumed. October, November. (Al. Pom.)
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Simon Bouvier.
- Leroy Dict. Pom. 2:666, fig. 1869. 2. Hogg Fruit Man. 646. 1884. Souvenir de Simon Bouvier. 3. Guide Prat. 108, 305. 1876.
Raised by Simon Bouvier, Jodoigne, Bel. Fruit medium, symmetrical, ovate, always swelled toward the base, green shaded with dull yellow, dotted and stained with russet; flesh whitish, fine, juicy and melting, almost free from granulations; juice extremely abundant and saccharine, very acidulous, highly perfumed, having an after taste of musky anis which adds to its delicacy; first; Sept.