XXIV. 

 THE HUFFCAP PEAR. 



So many distinct varieties of the Pear have been con- 

 founded under this name, in different parts of Herefordshire, 

 that it would be difficult to prove, with certainty, which was 

 the original: that represented in the Plate, however, seems to 

 have much the best pretensions; and it affords Perry of the 

 greatest excellence. 



This Pear must have been known to the writers on orchards 

 of the 17th century ; though the name does not occur in any 

 of them : and it was probably one of the " Choke Pears/' 

 which they state to have abounded in Herefordshire at that 

 period. The fruit is excessively harsh and austere; but its 

 juice becomes very sweet during the process of grinding; and 

 the Huffcap Perry possesses much strength and richness. In 

 flavour also it is esteemed inferior to the Teinton Squash 

 alone ; and it has the credit of intoxicating more rapidly than 

 any other Perry. I have not had an opportunity of ascertain- 

 ing the specific gravity of the juice, which, I believe, would be 

 found at least 1070. 



