THE PEARS OF NEW YORK 33 
for wee have in our country so manie, 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 discourse 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. JI have not seene 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 wail, 
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, flattish, & 
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. 
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