From England. Scions presented by the John Innes Horticultural Institution, Hertford, Herts. Received Feb. 18, 1953. PI 205464. No. 3996 (5X). Unpublished flow cytometry results (1997) suggest this is 5x or 6x. Flow cytometry results (2007) suggest 4x. This selection is likely the result of a cross made using pollen of `Beurre Bedford?, which was being used at the John Innes Institute in mid 20th century due to meiotic aberrations in the pollen. -- J. Postman
see: Thomas, P.T. 1942. A useful abnormality of the pollen in a pear. Nature 149:168-169.