Click on link for pear’s description and taste:

Bloodgood - Flushing, Long Island, New York 1835
Buffum - Newport, Rhode Island 1832
Colonel Wilder - San Jose, California 1870
Columbia - New York City 1835
Dearborn - Roxbury, Massachusetts 1818
Dorset - Dorchester, Massachusetts 1895
Early Harvest (Chambers) - Maryland 1890
B.S. Fox - San Jose, California 1870’s
Frederick Clapp - Dorchester, Massachusetts 1870
Howell - New Haven, Connecticut 1829
Idaho - Lewiston, Idaho 1867
Lawrence - Flushing, Long Island, New York 1841
Lawson - Ulster County, New York 1800
Lucy Duke - Beaufort County, North Carolina 1880
P. Barry - San Jose, California 1873
Sudduth - Sangamon County, Illinois 1895
Wilder Early - Chautauqua County, New York 1889

19th Century pears of U.S. origin and earlier (available nursery sources)
The following list of pears existed at the turn of the 19th Century and earlier. These varieties are still available through U.S. nurseries.

Click on link for pear’s description and taste:

Clapp’s Favorite, Dorchester, Massachusetts, before 1860
Dana’s Hovey, Roxbury, Massachusetts 1854
Kieffer, Roxborough, Pennsylvania 1863
Lincoln, Corwin, Illinois 1835
Seckel, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1817
Sheldon, Huron, New York 1815
Tyson, Jenkintown, Pennsylvania 1794
Vermont Beauty, Grand Isle, Vermont 1843
Winter Bartlett, Eugene, Oregon, prior to1880
Worden Seckel, Minetto, New York 1881

20th century pears of U.S. origin (available nursery sources)
Click on link for pear’s description and taste:

Beirschmitt, Bartlett, Iowa, 1927
June Sugar, Georgia
Orcas, Orcas Island, Washington
Rescue, Washington State
Warren, Mississippi

* C. Todd Kennedy, well recognized as one of California’s leading fruit preservationists and historians, is descended from an old family of Santa Clara fruit growers and is dedicated to the preservation of heritage varieties. An attorney, Mr. Kennedy’s avocation and true passion is collecting fruit by taking budwood from derelict orchards all over the country, especially in the many remaining in New England. He also receives budwood from the state agricultural stations phasing out their collections. His private collection has grown to include 2,500 fruit trees, including varieties of rare old French and Italian dessert pears, some on the verge of extinction.

---

Bloodgood, Flushing, Long Island, New York 1835
The origin of this pear is unknown, but it is supposed to be a native of New York. It seems to have been brought to notice about 1835 by James Bloodgood of the nursery firm of Bloodgood and Company, Flushing, Long Island. According to Robert Manning, the variety was listed in Prince's Catalogue for 1837 as Early Beurre. After being introduced by Bloodgood and company, it was speedily recognized as one of the most valuable native sorts. The variety was placed upon the fruit catalog-list of the American Pomological Society in 1848.

Resources for trees and rootstock

USDA National Clonal Germplasm Repository
33447 Peoria Road
Corvallis, Oregon 97333-2521

---

Buffum, Newport, Rhode Island 1832
Believed to have originated at Warren, Rhode Island, at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Presumed to be a seedling of White Doyenne. Fruit medium or less in size, oblong-obovate-pyriform. Skin thick, fairly smooth, deep brownish-yellow, often blushed, small russet dots, very attractive. Flesh fairly firm, granular, moderately juicy. Sweet, aromatic flavor but lacking in desirable dessert quality. Early midseason. Tree upright, stately, vigorous, productive, of desirable orchard habits. Moderately susceptible to fire blight. The original tree of Buffum grew in the garden of David Buffum, Warren, Rhode Island.

Resources for trees and rootstock

USDA National Clonal Germplasm Repository
33447 Peoria Road
Corvallis, Oregon 97333-2521

---

Colonel Wilder, San Jose, California 1870
Colonel Wilder originated in California and was once a favorite there, but is now little planted. At one time it was prominent in eastern orchards because of its late season and large, handsome, well -flavored fruits. The variety came in competition with Beurre d'Anjou, however, the season and fruits of the two being very similar, but the trees of Colonel Wilder were so greatly outmatched by those of Beurre d'Anjou that the new variety is less and less planted in the East. Perhaps it is worth preserving in pear collections for the sake of variety. This pear was raised by Bernard S. Fox of San Jose, California, about 1870.

Resources for trees and rootstock

USDA National Clonal Germplasm Repository
33447 Peoria Road
Corvallis, Oregon 97333-2521

---

Columbia, New York City 1835
Originated as a chance seedling in Westchester County, New York and came to attention in 1835. Added to A.P.S. catalog list in 1862. Fruit medium in size, generally pyriform in shape. Skin greenish-yellow in color, fairly smooth. waxy, few small green dots. Flesh fairly firm, medium fine and not very juicy. Lacking in desirable flavor and texture characteristics. Tree of fair vigor, spreading in habit, small healthy leaves. Moderately susceptible to fire blight.

Resources for trees and rootstock

USDA National Clonal Germplasm Repository
33447 Peoria Road
Corvallis, Oregon 97333-2521

---

Dearborn, Roxbury, Massachusetts 1818
A small, smooth-skinned pear of early American origin that is nearly extinct. Its flesh is fine-textured, somewhat dry with no pronounced aroma. Three trees grow in the Filoli orchard in Woodside, California and may the only trees of there kind still in existence.

Resources for trees and rootstock

Filoli Gardens
86 Canada Road
Woodside, California 94062
650-364-8300

---

Dorset, Dorchester, Massachusetts 1895
Raised from a seed planted by Lemuel Clapp of Dorchester, Massachusetts. Date of origin uncertain. Introduced by Ellwanger and Barry, 1895. Fruit medium or larger in size, obovate-obtuse-pyriform, regular in size and form. Skin reasonably smooth, greenish-yellow in       color, often blushed, fairly attractive. Flesh white, medium fine, buttery but not melting, somewhat juicy. Sweet with pleasing flavor but not among the best in dessert quality. Late keeper, slow in ripening with long shelf life. Tree moderate grower, spreading in habit, very productive. Fairly susceptible to blight.

Resources for trees and rootstock

USDA National Clonal Germplasm Repository
33447 Peoria Road
Corvallis, Oregon 97333-2521

---

Early Harvest (Chambers), Maryland 1890
Originated in Maryland and brought to Middletown, Kentucky by Captain William Chambers in 1800. Added to APS catalog list in 1875. Fruit fairly large in size, obovate-obtuse-pyriform, regular and  symmetrical. Skin smooth, greenish-yellow in color, often blushed or striped with dull red. Flesh generally firm, crisp, granular, moderately juicy. Lacking in desirable flavor and texture characteristics. Early in season. Tree vigorous,    upright-spreading in habit, dark green, abundant foliage, fairly productive. Fairly resistant to fire blight.

Resources for trees and rootstock

USDA National Clonal Germplasm Repository
33447 Peoria Road
Corvallis, Oregon 97333-2521

---

B.S. Fox, San Jose, California 1870’s
Fox seems to have failed in the pear-growing regions of America, in spite of its having some excellent characters in both fruit and tree. The fruits are not quite attractive enough to sell on the markets or to grace the table of the amateur, their rough, russet skins detracting greatly from their appearance. When the skin is removed, however, a better late fall pear      cannot be found. The flesh is white, fine in texture, very juicy, melting, and has a brisk, vinous flavor and a pleasant aromatic smell and taste that at once place the quality very high. The trees are but mediocre in the prime characters of a good orchard plant. The variety is condemned for any purpose other than the collector's plantation. Fox is one of many seedlings originated by B. S. Fox, San Jose, California, about 1870.

Resources for trees and rootstock

USDA National Clonal Germplasm Repository
33447 Peoria Road
Corvallis, Oregon 97333-2521

---

Frederick Clapp, Dorchester, Massachusetts 1870
Raised by Lemuel Clapp of Dorchester, Massachusetts, about 1870. Believed to be a cross between Urbaniste and Beurre Superfine. Added to A.P.S. catalog list in 1877. Fruit medium or larger in size, roundish or obovate in form, somewhat irregular in both size and form. Skin very smooth, waxy, free of blemish, clear straw-yellow in color, very attractive. Flesh fine, melting, juicy, quite free of grit. Spicy, acidulous flavor, rates high in quality during some seasons but only fair in quality at other times. Holds up well after ripening but is susceptible to Anjou scald after cold storage. Midseason. Tree vigorous, productive, one of the best in the pear kingdom. Fairly susceptible to blight.

Resources for trees and rootstock

USDA National Clonal Germplasm Repository
33447 Peoria Road
Corvallis, Oregon 97333-2521

---

Howell, New Haven, Connecticut 1829
Howell's Seedling. Howell is everywhere condemned with faint praise. After having said that, the trees are not above the average in vigor, healthfulness, hardiness, and fruitfulness, it remains only to be said that their spreading tops make them desirable orchard inhabitants and handsome dooryard ornamentals. The fruits cannot be praised for   attractive appearance or good quality, but they are meritorious in that they are more often uniform in appearance, quality, and freedom from the ravages of the scab fungus than those of almost any other pear. These qualities make Howell an estimable variety for the home orchard where intensive care cannot be given. The trees bear early, annually, and abundantly. Howell seems to be better suited to the middle western states than to the eastern states. About 1830, Thomas Howell, New Haven, Connecticut, planted pear seed, in his garden; one of the trees resulting from these seeds was named Howell.

Resources for trees and rootstock

USDA National Clonal Germplasm Repository
33447 Peoria Road
Corvallis, Oregon 97333-2521

---

Idaho, Lewiston, Idaho 1867
Idaho was raised from seed of an unknown variety about the year 1867 by a Mrs. Mulkey, Lewiston, Idaho, and, having been propagated by the Idaho Pear Company, was first brought to public notice in the autumn of 1886 by John H. Evans of Lewiston. In 1888 it was introduced to Europe and was shown at the congress of fruit growers held at Geneva, Switzerland, in 1899. Idaho is included in the American Pomological Society's list of fruits recommended for general cultivation, having been added to this list in 1899.

Resources for trees and rootstock

USDA National Clonal Germplasm Repository
33447 Peoria Road
Corvallis, Oregon 97333-2521

---

Lawrence, Flushing, Long Island, New York 1841
There is a great diversity of opinion as to the value of Lawrence for a market pear, but no one denies it a place as one of the very best early winter pears for the home orchard. The tree is hardy, moderately vigorous and fruitful, an early, annual, and uniform bearer, and has the reputation of being one of the longest lived of all pear trees. The fruits are of but medium size, but are trim in contour and distinctive in shape because of the rounded, truncate stem end; and in color are a bright clean lemon-yellow, marked with patches of russet and faintly blushed on the side to the sun. No yellow pear is more attractive. The fruits come in season in early winter and have the excellent character of keeping well under ordinary care for a full month or longer. The melting flesh abounds with a rich, sugary, perfumed juice, by virtue of which it is justly esteemed as the best flavored pear of its season. Lawrence is a chance seedling, a native of Flushing, Long Island, and was introduced in 1843.

Resources for trees and rootstock

USDA National Clonal Germplasm Repository
33447 Peoria Road
Corvallis, Oregon 97333-2521

---

Lawson, Ulster County, New York 1800
Originated on the farm of a Mr. Lawson, Ulster County, New York, about 1800. Added to the APS catalog list in 1899. Of all early pears, the fruits of Lawson best satisfy the eye for bright colors. They are as brightly colored as the brilliant Vermont Beauty or as Mount Vernon. Another outstanding character is the small core, which, though the pears ripen early and quickly, seldom soften unduly. The pears are often nearly or quite seedless. Unfortunately, the fruits are often irregular in shape, and in quality are mediocre. The tree is fairly healthy, vigorous, hardy, and free from blight, and is characterized by its tall, upright growth. Although grown for more than a hundred years in the East, the variety has never made headway here, but seems to be attracting much attention on the Pacific slope.

Resources for trees and rootstock

USDA National Clonal Germplasm Repository
33447 Peoria Road
Corvallis, Oregon 97333-2521

---

Lucy Duke, Beaufort County, North Carolina 1880
Grown from a seed of Bartlett by Mrs. Lucy Duke, Beaufort County, North Carolina, about 1880. Second parent believed to be Winter Nelis. Why Lucy Duke is neglected is hard to see. The pear has a rich, juicy, spicy, melting flesh that makes it one of the best. In form, the fruits resemble those of Bartlett, which is probably one of the parents; they are but medium in size, but are of a beautiful golden russet color, which makes them as handsome as the handsomest. The skin is thick and the pears stand shipping well. The variety can be recommended for home and local markets, but the trees are unproductive and too irregular in bearing for commercial orchards. The tree is hardy, but only moderately vigorous, and resembles Winter Nelis, supposed to be the other parent, in habit of growth. The variety is relatively free from blight.

Resources for trees and rootstock

USDA National Clonal Germplasm Repository
33447 Peoria Road
Corvallis, Oregon 97333-2521

---

P. Barry, San Jose, California 1873
Full description and color plate in Hedrick (1921). Said to be a seedling of Belle Lucrative raised by B.S. Fox, San Jose, California in 1873. Named in honor of Patrick Barry, noted American nurseryman and pomologist. Added to APS catalog list, 1909. Fruit medium in size, oblong-obovate-pyriform. Skin dull, deep gold at maturity, overlaid with thin russet, fairly attractive. Flesh medium fine, semi-buttery, moderately juicy. Sweet, aromatic, slightly acidulous flavor, at least good in dessert quality. Very late in season. With proper handling this pear has been known to keep 10  months or more in cold storage, and actually requires a long period in cold storage before ripening properly. Tree moderately vigorous, spreading in habit, reasonably productive, fairly susceptible to blight.

Resources for trees and rootstock

USDA National Clonal Germplasm Repository
33447 Peoria Road
Corvallis, Oregon 97333-2521

---

Sudduth, Sangamon County, Illinois 1895
There is some confusion as to the identity of this variety. Trees labeled Burkett and Sudduth at the Southern Oregon Branch Station are identical in both tree and fruit characteristics. If Burkett and Sudduth are one and the same variety, the name Burkett should have priority because, according to Hedrick, it was used in 1880, whereas the name Sudduth was not applied until 1895. Full description and color plate in Hedrick under the name Sudduth. Fruit small in size, roundish in form, greenish-yellow in color. Flat in taste with disagreeable after-taste. Of no value as fruit. Tree very vigorous, healthy, spreading in habit, with dark green, abundant foliage. Highly resistant to blight and when crossed with some other blight-resistant variety produces a high percentage of blight resistant seedlings.

Resources for trees and rootstock

USDA National Clonal Germplasm Repository
33447 Peoria Road
Corvallis, Oregon 97333-2521

---

Wilder Early, Chautauqua County, New York 1889
Originated as a chance seedling found by Charles A. Green, Chautauqua County, New York, about 1884. Added to APS catalog list in 1899. Fruit medium in size, oblong-pyriform in shape. Skin pale green in color, faintly blushed on sunny side. Flesh stringy, buttery but not melting, moderately juicy. Aromatic, pleasing flavor but second rate in dessert quality. Holds up better than most early pears. Tree vigorous, thrifty, somewhat apple-like in appearance, productive, moderately susceptible to fire blight.

Resources for trees and rootstock

USDA National Clonal Germplasm Repository
33447 Peoria Road
Corvallis, Oregon 97333-2521

---

Clapp’s Favorite, Dorchester, Massachusetts, before 1860
Clapp’s Favorite was raised by Thaddeus Clapp, Dorchester, Massachusetts, but the date of its origin is uncertain. It was favorably mentioned as a promising new fruit at the meeting of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society in 1860. The fruit ripens in late August and early September. It is a large fruit with thick skin, tough, smooth, glossy; color pale lemon-yellow, mottled and dotted with bright red, deepening in highly colored specimens to a crimson blush, with occasional faint traces of russet; dots numerous, small, russet, conspicuous; flesh tinged with yellow, very granular and gritty at the center, tender and melting, buttery, juicy, sweet, rich, vinous, aromatic; quality very good.

Resources for trees and rootstock

Fedco Trees
PO Box 520
Waterville, Maine 04903-0520
207-872-8317

J.W. Jung Seed Co.
335 S. High Street
Randolph, WI 53957-0001
800-247-5864

---

Dana’s Hovey, Roxbury, Massachusetts 1854
Dana’s Hovey, developed by Francis Dana, was introduced to the public about 1854 in honor of C.M. Hovey, a well-known nurseryman in Boston and author of The Fruits of America. The fruit matures in late October and November, is medium in size. Thin skin, tender, smooth; russet; flesh tinged with yellow, granular in the center, tender and melting, juicy, sweet, highly perfumed; quality of the best.

Resources for trees and rootstock

Edible Forest Nursery
PO Box 260195
Madison, WI 53726-0195

Trees of Antiquity
20 Wellsona Rd.,
Paso Robles, CA 93446,
805-467-9909

---

Kieffer, Roxborough, Pennsylvania 1863
The seed parent of Kieffer was the Sand pear of China. Peter Kieffer, a well-known nurseryman from his state, lived in Roxborough, near Philadelphia, grew and sold Sand pear trees for ornamental purposes. In his garden there were also Bartlett trees. Among chance seedlings, Mr. Kieffer observed one of peculiar growth, which he saved. This tree bore fruit in 1863. The fruit matures in late October and November; medium to large in size; thick skin, tough, smooth; color yellow, blushed with dull red on the exposed cheek; dots numerous, small russet, conspicuous; flesh yellowish-white, very granular and coarse, crisp, juicy, not sweet, often astringent. Excellent for canning and baking.

Mr. Kennedy comments, “In the USA, the true pears (Pyrus communis) can be grown will only on the Pacific Coast. Anywhere else, pear culture is a struggle. In colonial times, exotic diseases such as fire blight had not been introduced, and others such as scab were not universally present in all parts of the Atlantic seaboard. It was much easier then to grow pears. By mid-19th century these and other disorders had become cosmopolitan and in the humid climates east of the Rockies, were devastating to pears. For most of the USA, the only variety that could be grown where these diseases prevailed, was the ‘Kieffer,’ which obtained a certain resistance (though not immunity) from its Asian nashi parent. However, even in Southern states the Kieffer did not attain a melting flesh of dessert quality equal to the best true pears; in the rest of the US Kieffer blooms too early and flowers are usually killed by frost. ‘Kieffer’, however, does have significance for extrinsic qualities: it gave rise to an Asian pear culture peculiar to the South, and supported (off and on, and very locally) for a century and a half – still going on, in various places – an industry of canning and preserving. The ‘Kieffer’ is a valid cultivar for this purpose and while not the same product as the ubiquitous canned ‘Barletts’ of California origin, has its own unique flavor and texture that is one of the few most characteristic features of Southern fruit culture.”

Resources for trees and rootstock

Christian Homesteading Movement,
Turner Road,
Oxford, NY 13830

Bob Wells Nursery,
PO Box 606,
Lindale, Texas 75771
(903) 882-3550

---

Lincoln, Corwin, Illinois 1835
This pear had its origin in a seedling grown in the spring of 1835 by Mrs. Maria Fleming, Corwin, Illinois. The original tree proved to be a vigorous grower as well as a heavy cropper, and was ultimately given the name of Lincoln. The fruit matures in late August and September; medium in size. Skin is thick, tender, roughish; color yellow, sprinkled with few russet lines and nettings; dots numerous, small, russet, conspicuous; flesh tinged with yellow, firm, coarse and granular, tender, very juicy, sweet, aromatic, pleasing but not richly flavored; good quality.

Resources for trees and rootstock

Lawson’s Nursery,
2730 Yellow Creek Road,
Ball Ground, GA 30107
(770) 893-2141

White Oak Nursery,
494 White Oak Road,
Strasburg, Pennsylvania 17579

---

Seckel, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1817
Seckel is an American pear distinct in type from any European variety. Living in Philadelphia, toward the close of the eighteenth century, Dutch Jacob was a well-known sportsman and cattle dealer. Every autumn, upon returning from his hunting excursions, he would give gifts of pears to his neighbors of exceedingly delicious flavor. The tree they were harvested from he kept secret. Dutch Jacob eventually purchased the land that this tree grew on near the Delaware River. He eventually sold the land to Mr. Seckel, who gave the pear his name and introduced it to the public. The Seckel ripens in October, it’s size is small. The skin is smooth, dull; color yellowish-brown, lightly marked with pale russet and often with a lively russet-red cheek; dots numerous, very small, russet or grayish; flesh white, with a faint tinge of yellow, slightly granular, melting, buttery, very juicy; sweet, with an exceedingly, rich, aromatic, spicy flavor; quality very good to best.

Resources for trees and rootstock

Boyer Nurseries,
405 Nursery Road,
Biglerville, Pennsylvania 17307
(717) 677-8558

Classical Fruits,
8831 AL Highway 157,
Moulton, Alabama 35650
(256) 974-8813

---

Sheldon, Huron, New York 1815
This pear is a native of the town of Huron, New York. The original tree stood on the premises of Major Sheldon, having sprung from the seed brought by his father from Washington, New York. The fruit matures is October, medium to large in size. The skin is thick, granular, tender, roughish; color dull greenish-yellow, with brownish-red blush, overspread with russet nettings and streaks; dots numerous, small, russet; flesh whitish, somewhat granular, tender and melting, very juicy, sweet, and vinous, with rich and pleasantly aromatic flavor; quality good to the best.

---

Tyson, Jenkintown, Pennsylvania 1794
Tyson originated as a wilding found about 1794 in a hedge on the land of Jonathan Tyson, Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. The tree first bore fruit in 1800. The pear proved to be so good that Mr. Tyson distributed cions among his neighbors. The fruit matures in late August, is medium in size. The skin is tough, smooth, slightly russeted, dull; color deep yellow, usually blushed; dots numerous, very small, obscure; flesh tinged with yellow, granular around the basin, otherwise rather fine-grained, tender and melting, very juicy, sweet, aromatic; quality very good.

Resources for trees and rootstock

Classical Fruits,
8831 AL Highway 157,
Moulton, Alabama 35650
(256) 974-8813

Fedco Trees,
PO Box 520,
Waterville, Maine 04903-0520,
(207) 872-8317

---

Vermont Beauty, Grand Isle, Vermont 1843
Vermont Beauty is supposed to have originated in the nursery of Benjamin Macomber, Grand Isle, Vermont. Macomber maintained a small nursery, and this pear was one to several hundreds planted for stock. The tree budded in the usual manner, but the bud failed to grow, and the original tree was allowed to stand without another budding. After the variety fruited, it attracted so much attention that Macomber propagated it. The fruit ripens in October and November, the fruit is medium in size. The skin is thick, tough, smooth or with slight russet markings; color pinkish-red dots; dots numerous, very small, light russet, conspicuous; flesh tinged with yellow, granular at the center but fine-grained near the skin, tender and melting, very juicy, with a rich, vinous flavor; very good quality.

Resources for trees and rootstock

Fedco Trees,
PO Box 520,
Waterville, Maine 04903-0520,
(207) 872-8317

---

Winter Bartlett, Eugene, Oregon, prior to1880
This pear seems to have originated at Eugene, Oregon, some time prior to 1880 and was introduced by D.W. Coolidge. Because it is resemblance to Bartlett, it is assumed that it is a seeding of that variety. The fruit ripens in December and January, large in size. Skin is uneven in surface; color yellow, splashed with russet and often blushed on the exposed cheek with bright red; dots numerous, small, brownish-russet; flesh yellow-white, fine-grained, tender, juicy, sweet, pleasant flavored; quality good to very good.

Resources for trees and rootstock

Greenmantle Nursery,
3010 Ettersburg Road,
Garberville, California 95542
(707) 986-7504

---

Worden Seckel, Minetto, New York 1881
Worden Seckel, as its name suggests, is a seedling of Seckel, raised by Sylvester Worden, Minetto, Oswego County, New York. The fruit is medium is size and ripens late September to October. The skin is thin, tender, smooth, glossy; color pale golden-yellow, blushed on the exposed cheek with solid bright red, becoming almost crimson in highly colored specimens; dots numerous, small, russet, obscure; flesh yellowish-white or dull white, fine-grained near the skin, granular at the center, tender and melting, buttery, very juicy, characteristically spicy and aromatic; quality very good.

Resources for trees and rootstock

Cummins Nursery,
18 Glass Factory Bay Rd.,
Geneva, New York 14456

White Oak Nursery,
494 White Oak Road,
Strasburg, Pennsylvania 17579

---

Beirschmitt, Bartlett, Iowa, 1927
Originated in Fairbanks, Fayette County, Iowa, by J.A. Beierschmidt. Introduced in 1927. Considered to be a seedling of Bartlett; seed planted by Marie Beierschmidt, mother of J.A. Beierschmidt, about 1900; first fruit borne about 1908 to 1910; original tree died when about 15 years old, but many suckers had been transplanted from it; first called to attention of S.A. Beach (Apples of New York author) in 1921. Fruit: medium to large; broader than, and not as necke as Bartlett; skin thin and tender, greenish-yellow to clear pale yellow when ripened, with slight russet; flesh firm, tender, very juicy, highly aromatic, of high quality. -- Brooks and Olmo Register of Fruit and Nut Varieties.  “Bierschmitt is actually an improvement on Bartlett, and has been planted in Pacific Coast dooryards during the past 20 years, though not ever grown commercially, I doubt it is found in eastern states.” -- Mr. Kennedy

Resources for trees and rootstock

Greenmantle Nursery,
3010 Ettersburg Road,
Garberville, California 95542
(707) 986-7504

---

June Sugar, Georgia
Heirloom variety from Georgia. Fruit has excellent eating quality. “Probably has a synonym in the rest of the world, was planted across the upper South for at least a century, but only as one or few trees, never in commercial plantations.” – Mr. Kennedy

Resources for trees and rootstock

Greenmantle Nursery,
3010 Ettersburg Road,
Garberville, California 95542
(707) 986-7504

---

Orcas, Orcas Island, Washington
A fall pear suitable for fresh consumption, canning, and drying. Discovered on Orcas Island, Washington, by Joseph C. Long in 1966. Roadside seedling of unknown parentage. Fruit: medium to large, 65 to 80 mm in diameter, elongated, with broad base, slightly lumpy; short stem; skin yellow with green dots and red-orange blush. Flesh creamy white, juicy, mild flavor, small core. Ripens 2 days after Bartlett in western Washington; stores 11 weeks at 1C. Tree: upright, becoming spreading; blooms 5 days after Bartlett; partially self-fruitful; pollen cross-compatible with Bartlett.  -- Brooks and Olmo Register of Fruit and Nut Varieties  “A very new variety which are strictly dooryard pears in the Pacific Coast states.” – Mr. Kennedy

Resources for trees and rootstock

Cloud Mountain Farm & Nursery,
6906 Goodwin Road,
Everson, Washington 98247

---

Rescue, Washington State
An attractive, early ripening, large-fruited pear suitable for canning and fresh use. Originated near Vancouver, B.C., by a Mr. Abrey. Pyrus communis type of unknown parentage. K. Nomura rescued scions from the original tree in 1976 before it was destroyed, after death of its owner. Fruit: large to very large, 75 to 85 mm. in diameter., often 110 mm. long; pyriform., symmetrical, with wide base and small core; short, fleshy stem. Skin bright yellow with orange-red blush; flesh cream-colored, smooth, melting, juicy, and mild, similar to Clapp Favorite. Ripens 6 days before Bartlett; stores about 12 weeks at 1C. Tree: upright; moderately vigorous; few branches and spurs. Annual bearer; pollen cross compatible with Bartlett; blooms about 3 days after Bartlett. -- Brooks and Olmo Register of Fruit and Nut Varieties

“A very new varieties which are strictly dooryard pears in the Pacific Coast states. Rescue is possibly the finest pear of American origin, but of awkward shape and usually too large for consumers. It is essentially a glossy, rich-flavored Comice.” – Mr. Kennedy

Resources for trees and rootstock

Trees of Antiquity,
20 Wellsona Rd.,
Paso Robles, CA 93446,
(805) 467-9909

---

Warren, Mississippi
Medium to large, long necked, drop-shaped fruit is faded green with an occasional red blush in full sun. Varies in shape and size. Flavor is sweet, very juicy, buttery, smooth flesh with no grit. Discovered by T.O. Warren in Mississippi. “Warren is probably a sibling of ‘Magness’, which should be on your list. Magness came from a USDA pear breeding program and has been planted commercially in New York and elsewhere, chiefly for its fireblight resistance, which Warren also has, perhaps more so, for which reason it is the only true pear generally considered suitable for trial in the South. T.O. Warren found it planted in front of a Post Office and USDA Soil Conservation Service office in Mississippi, where it definitely did not come form originally.”

Resources for trees and rootstock

Trees of Antiquity,
20 Wellsona Rd.,
Paso Robles, CA 93446,
(805) 467-9909 Christian Homesteading Movement,
Turner Road,
Oxford, NY 13830

---