THE PEAR. 



135 



valuable in its fresh state, as well as for baking and pre- 

 serving. Many sorts were well known to the Greeks and 

 Romans ; Pliny enumerates thirty-two. It was cultivated 

 in England at a very early period. Chaucer makes mention 

 of it; arid in an account-book of Henry VIII. there are 

 the following charges, among others : j> T 



For medlars and wardens 1 ....... 3 



Item, to a woman who gaff the Kyng peres ..00 



4 



2." 



FLOWER OF PEAR-TREE. 



In Gerard's time, " threescore sundrie sorts of pears, and 

 those exceeding good," were growing in one garden ; and 

 of late years so much attention has been paid to the mul- 



i < "Wardens " were so called from their property of keeping : 

 peres " were probably some common kind of pear. 



