Raised by William Sumner of Pomaria, South Carolina. Fruit large; specimens have often weighed 28 ounces, 6 of fair size of this pear generally weigh 8 lbs., globular, obovate with irregular protuberences, lemon-yellow inclined to greenish, dotted with russet specks and blotches; flesh melting, sprightly, buttery, slightly vinous, has no matured seeds, and seldom forms seeds at all; December in South Carolina. -- U.P. Hedrick. 1921. The Pears of New York.HEBE PEAR. by Wm. Sumner, Pomaria, S.C. - Fruit large; specimens have frequently weighed 28 ounces. Six of fair size of this pear generally weigh eight pounds. Color, lemon-yellow, inclined to greenish; dotted all over with russet specks and deep irregular russet blotches. Stem short, thick, in deep basin. Form, round, obovate, with irregular protuberances, similar to the Duchesse d'Angouleme. Flesh, sprightly, melting, buttery, with slight vinous flavor; has no matured seeds, and seldom forms seeds at all. Ripens in South Carolina in December. Tree vigorous, with finely matured wood, free from thorns. Shape, naturally pyramidal. -- Wm. Sumner. The Horticulturist and Journal of Rural Art and Rural Taste - July 1866
POMARIA, S. C., Nov. 8, 1866. EDITORS HORTICULTURIST, - A long and serious illness has prevented me, until now, responding to the inquiries of 'Reuben,' on the Hebe Pear. It is a new variety; a seedling grown from seed taken from my pear orchard; seeds of the Duchesse D'Angouleme and Easter Beurre having been sown. The product has been what we so much lacked in the South - a native winter Pear of first size and quality. The tree is in habit naturally pyramidal, and comes into bearing early. The fruit hanging until the last of October, when we have our first killing frosts, rendering it necessary to take them off. They ripen well in the house, and mature without shriveling. The large size, great beauty, thrifty growth, productiveness, and the superior quality of its fruit for table or market, renders it the 'Eureka' of pears. I am aware with what distrust new fruits should be received, and fully appreciate the responsibility of standing sponsor for novelties. In the case of the ' Hebe,' I challenge the world to produce a superior winter pear. In the description which accompanied the engraving, in July number of the HORTICULTURIST, a slight mistake occurred, in saying, 'free from thorns.' In young trees, the growth is frequently thorny. This variety, growing equally well on quinces, retains its leaves in good health until frost, a good quality in all pears, and particularly necessary for success in the South. WM. SUMMER.
Note: In the July 1866 issue the author's name is spelled 'Sumner' and in the Nov. 1866 issue it is 'Summer'. -- J. Postman