THE PEARS OF NEW YORK 33 



for wee have in oiir country so mania, as I shall give you the names of by 

 and by, and are hitherto come to our knowledge: but I verily beleeve 

 that there be many, both in our country, and in others, that we have not 

 yet knowne or heard of; for every, yeare almost wee attaine to the 

 knowledge of some, we knew not of before. Take therefore, according to 

 the manner before held, the description of one, with the severall names 

 of the rest, untill a more exact discoiirse be had of them, every one apart." 

 Some of the names in Parkinson's list are group names covering several 

 varieties. Thus, he says, "the Winter Bon Chretien is of many sorts;" 

 and again, "the Winter Bergomot is of two or three sorts;" and, "the 

 Winter peare is of many sorts." 



Parkinson's descriptions are brief but written with rare clearness, and 

 the old herbalist seems to have possessed a nicety of observation that 

 commends him to all who have eyes for the distinguishing characters of 

 fruits. With Parkinson our history of the pear in England must come to 

 a close, since later accounts are available to all, and therefore as an 

 important inventory, and because every word is pertinent, his account 

 of varieties is republished. 



" The Summer bon Chretien is somewhat a long peare, with a greene 

 and yellow russetish coate, and will have sometimes red sides ; it is ripe at 

 Michaelmas: Some use to dry them as they doe Prunes, and keepe them 

 all the yeare after. I have not scene or heard any more Summer kindes 

 hereof then this one, and needeth no wall to nourse it as the other. 



" The Winter bon Chretien is of many sorts, some greater, others 

 lesser, and all good; but the greatest and best is that kinde that groweth 

 at Syon: All the kinds of this Winter fruit must be planted against a wall, 

 or else they will both seldome beare, and bring fewer also to ripenesse, 

 comparable to the wall fruit : The kindes also are according to their lasting ; 

 for some will endure good much longer than others. 



" The Summer Bergomot is an excellent well rellished peare, flatfish, & 

 short, not long like others, of a meane bignesse, and of a darke yellowish 

 greene colour on the outside. 



" The Winter Bergomot is of two or three sorts, being all of them small 

 fruit, somewhat greener on the outside then the Summer kindes; all of 

 them very delicate and good in their due time: For some will not be fit to 

 bee eaten when others are well-nigh spent, every of them outlasting another 

 by a moneth or more. 



" The Diego peare is but a small peare, but an excellent well rellished 

 fruit, tasting as if Muske had been put among it; many of them growe 

 together, as it were in clusters. 



