XXIX. 



THE OLD PEARMAIN. 



This variety appears to have been extensively cultivated 

 early in the 17th century; and it occurs in Evelyn's Pomona, 

 and Worlidge, and other writers of that period, under the 

 name of the JVmier Pearmain. It appears also to have been 

 cultivated upon the Continent, and to be the Parmain cVHyver, 

 and " Fepin Parmain d'Angleterre" of Knoops Pomologie. 

 But it is not found in Du llamel ; and from this circumstance, 

 and from the names given it by Knoop, it may be supposed 

 lo be an original English variety. It is an excellent Apple, 

 and equally well calculated for the press or the dessert: but 

 it has almost disappeared in the orchards of Herefordshire; 

 and it was not without considerable difficulty that a proper 

 specimen, for delineation, was procured in the last season.* 

 The specific gravity of its juice is about 1079. 



In a light soil, and warm situation and season, the colours 

 are more clear and bright, than the plate represents them; 

 whence Philips has called it 



— — — — " The fair Pearmain, 

 Tempered like comeliest nymph, with red and white." 



• This variety has sometimes been confounded with the Green Pearmain, 

 which it resembles in the greenness of its skin ; but from which it differs in the 

 yellowness of its pulp, in its smaller size, and much greater richness. 



