Stone
PearStone
Origin/History
Grew in the garden of a Mr. Stone, Cincinnati, Ohio, and named in his honor. Downing (1900) records the origin simply as Ohio. Referenced in Magazine of Horticulture 9:24, fig. 1843 (Hedrick).
Tree
Vigorous and productive (Downing). Not further described in sources.
Fruit
Size and Form: Large. Downing describes the form as roundish pyriform, uneven. Hedrick gives a more detailed characterization: broad-pyriform, sides uneven, globular toward the lower end and gradually diminishing toward the stem.
Stem: Large, long, and curved (Downing).
Cavity: Not described in sources.
Calyx: Large (Downing).
Basin: Open, broad, and shallow (Downing).
Skin: Bright yellow at maturity. Downing notes a sunny cheek; Hedrick specifies this as a bright red cheek next the sun, beautifully intermixed with yellow streaks and specks.
Flesh and Flavor: White, somewhat buttery, slightly astringent. Hedrick adds that the flesh is rather melting.
Core/Seeds: Not described in sources.
Season
August.
Uses
Not described in sources.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in sources.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Stone.
Origin, Ohio. Tree vigorous and productive.
Fruit large, roundish pyriform, uneven. Skin bright yellow with a sunny cheek. Stalk large, long, and curved. Calyx large. Basin open, broad, and shallow. Flesh white, somewhat buttery, slightly astringent. August.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Stone,
i. Mag. Hort. 9:24, fig. 1843.
Grew in the garden of a Mr. Stone, Cincinnati, O., and named in his honor. Fruit large, broad-pyriform, sides uneven, globular toward lower end and gradually diminishing toward the stem; bright yellow at maturity with a bright red cheek next the sun, beautifully intermixed with yellow streaks and specks; flesh white, somewhat buttery, rather melting, slightly astringent; Aug.