Wormsley Grange

Pear

Wormsley Grange

Origin/History

Wormsley Grange is a pear of English origin, notable for its association with Herefordshire. It is said to have been sent to the Hon. John Lowell by Mr. Knight, with Knight's observation that it requires to be gathered before it is quite ripe and that it is a variety of first-rate excellence in Herefordshire, England. The variety appears in Kenrick's American Orchardist in 1832, and in 1842 it was listed as having been removed from the gardens of the London Horticultural Society on account of inferior merit.

Tree

Not described in source.

Fruit

Size: Not described in source.

Form: Very cylindrical.

Stem: Not described in source.

Cavity: Not described in source.

Calyx: Not described in source.

Basin: Not described in source.

Skin: Cinnamon colour with a pale speckling.

Flesh and Flavor: Flesh yellow, melting, very juicy, sweet and rich. In a favourable season it has been compared to a Chaumontel in quality, which it closely resembles.

Core and Seeds: Not described in source.

Season

In perfection at the end of October. Both the Herefordshire Pomona and Knight's original remark agree that Wormsley Grange must be gathered before it is quite ripe; if left on the tree too long it will become yellow and sleepy.

Uses

Not described in source.

Other

The merits of Wormsley Grange depend very much upon the season. Gathered at the proper time and in a favourable season it has proved most excellent. The note of its removal from the London Horticultural Society in 1842 for inferior merit likely reflects the variety's sensitivity to season and handling — a fruit that performs exceptionally under the right conditions but poorly when these are not met.

Book Sources

Described in 2 period pomological works

Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)
The Herefordshire Pomona (1876–1885) — listed as Wormseley Grange Pear

View original book sources (2)

Wormseley Grange Pear.

Very cylindrical. Skin cinnamon colour with a pale speckling. Flesh yellow, melting; very juicy, sweet and rich; in perfection the end of October, and as good as a Chaumontel, which it is very like.

Remarks.—The merits of this Pear depend very much upon the season. It ripens early, and should be gathered early, or it will become yellow and sleepy on the tree. Gathered at the proper time and in a favourable season it has proved most excellent.

— Woolhope Naturalists Field Club, The Herefordshire Pomona (1885)

Wormsley Grange. 1. Kenrick Am. Orch. 187. 1832.

This is a variety which is said to have been sent to the Hon. John Lowell by Mr. Knight with the remarks that it requires to be gathered before it is quite ripe and that it is a variety of first-rate excellence in Herefordshire, Eng. In 1842 it was listed as having been removed from the gardens of the London Horticultural Society because of inferior merit.

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

Wormseley Grange Wormseley Grange Pear