Van Mons Leon Le Clerc-A Sugar and Cream Pear

Abstract

Some years ago, a neighbor of Isaac Hunter, near Dowagiac, Michigan, brought him some pear scions for grafting a new tree. The old tree (the neighbor called it his father's "Russet Pear" tree) was approximately one hundred years old, and there were two more trees the same age in the area. What made it of special interest was that the neighbor said his family was accustomed to eating this pear with sugar and cream, a treat usually reserved for strawberries and peaches or perhaps bananas. The next October, specimens were obtained from the old tree. The large, long, dull, yellowish brown fruits with tracings of russet were grand eating out of hand, buttery smooth and soft, sweet, but with just a bit of acidprobably the reason the pear went well with sugar and cream.