Van de Weyer Bates

Pear

Van de Weyer Bates (Pear)

Origin/History

Said to have been originated by Van Mons about 1823. Recorded in Magazine of Horticulture 18:417 (1852) and Mas, Pomologie Générale 5:71, fig. 324 (1880). Downing's account is drawn from Hogg.

Tree

Vigorous, large, rather tall; an early and good bearer. (Hedrick.)

Fruit

Size and form: Below medium, roundish-obovate.

Skin: Pale lemon yellow (Downing) / pale yellow (Hedrick), covered with small brown dots and a few brown veins.

Stem: Short, rather stout. (Hedrick.)

Cavity: Not described in source.

Calyx: Large, open.

Basin: Not described in source.

Flesh and flavor: Yellow (Downing) / yellowish (Hedrick); buttery, juicy, rich, sugary, with a pleasant aroma.

Core/Seeds: Not described in source.

Season

March to May.

Uses

Downing rates it "one of the finest late Pears." Hedrick concurs: "a fine late pear."

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Not described in source.

Book Sources

Described in 2 period pomological works

View original book sources (2)

Van de Weyer Bates.

Vandeweyer Bates.

Fruit below medium, roundish obovate, pale lemon yellow, covered with small brown dots, and a few veins of the same color. Calyx large, open. Flesh yellow, buttery, juicy, rich, sugary, with a pleasant aroma. One of the finest late Pears. March to May. (Hogg.)

— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)

Van de Weyer Bates, 1. Mag. Hort. 18:417. 1852. 2. Mas Pom. Gen. 5:71, fig. 324. 1880. Said to have been originated by Van Mons about 1823. Tree vigorous, large, rather tall, an early and good bearer. Fruit below medium, roundish-obovate, pale yellow, covered with small brown dots and a few brown veins; stem short, rather stout; calyx large, open; flesh yellowish, buttery, juicy, rich, sugary, pleasantly aromatic; a fine late pear; Mar. to May.

— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)

Vandeweyer Bates