/ 
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 Winter Pearmain. It appears also to have been 
cultivated upon the Continent, and to be the Parmam d’Hyver, 
and “ Pepin Parmain d’Angleterre” oi Knoop’s Pomologie. 
But it is not found in Du Hamel; and from this circumstance, 
and from the names given it by Knoop, it may be supposed 
to 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. 
