PERRY PEARS. 195 



This pear probably originated on the farm called " Moorcroft," 

 in the parish of Colvvall, near the western base of the Malvern 

 Hills. There are many trees of considerable age there ; it is 

 chiefly cultivated in that district, and thus gets its synonym 

 " Malvern Hill Pear.'' Nothing however is positively known with 

 regard to its origin. 



Description. — Fruit : large for a Perry Pear, pyriform, even 

 and regular in its outline. Skin : greenish yellow on the shaded 

 side, becoming quite yellow as it ripens, with a brownish tinge on 

 the side next the sun ; the whole surface strewed with large ash- 

 grey freckles of russet. Eye : open, set in a saucer-like basin. 

 Stalk : half to three quarters of an inch long, rather stout, inserted 

 without depression. Flesh : crisp. Juice : abundant, pale, with a 

 svi&eX. Jargonelle flavour, and some astringency. 



The chemical analysis of the juice of the Moorcroft Fear 

 (season 1880), by Mr. G. H. With, F.R.A.S., F.C.S., Trinity College, 

 Dublin, gave the following results : — 



This analysis proves that the Moorcroft Fear possesses a very 

 rich juice, capable of making Perry of considerable alcoholic 

 strength. It ripens very early, about the same time as the Barland, 

 following the Taynton Squash, and before the Fed Fear and Oldfield. 

 The fruit is apt to decay soon, and care must be taken that it 

 is used before this begins. It is usually mixed with other varieties, 

 to impart to them its excellent flavour and sweetness. 



The tree takes a spreading form of growth, attains a large 

 size, blossoms the beginning of May, and is hardy, but can scarcely 

 be called a free bearer. 



