Document of the month - February

List of pear, apple and plum varieties from the papers of the Murray Family of Polmaise, late 17^th century.

This list of fruit varieties sent to the ‘Laird of Polmaise’ and given in order of tastiness is not dated but was found amongst other papers dating from the latter half of the 17^th century. It gives a fascinating insight into fruit varieties grown in Central Scotland at this time. It is clear from the list that some of the apples and pears were meant to be stored after harvest and eaten the following spring, thus spreading the availability of fresh locally grown fruit through the year.

Transcript

Fruit trees sent to the Laird of Polmaise, with ane account

of their seasons for eating, they are ranked near to the order of their

goodness, the 1^st in the first place, the next best in the second & c

Pears

i colmar, eats in March

i 1^st German, eats in February

i beure du roy, eats the end of October

i poire sans pepin, eats the end of October

i esquire d’hyver, eats in February

i jargonell, eats the beginning of September

i king’s pear, eats the beginning of September

i Cuisine madam, eats the end of July

i cailo royal, eats the middle of October

i green chissell, eats the beginning of August

Apples

i golden pippon, that is russetish, eats in March

i Kentish pippon, eats in March

i bishop of Canterbury’s apple, eats in February

i golden money, eats in May

i garth apple, eats in February

i English rennet, eats in January

i parsons pippon, eats in February

i whyte apple of blairspence, eats in March

i earlie apple of Weymes, eats in August

Plumes

i violet perdrigon, eats the middle of September

i bonum parvum fructi ferum primum, eats the beginning of September

i reyne lande, eats the beginning of October

i virginale plume, eats the end of September

i sugar plume of Culross, eats the beginning of September

i Cheston plume of Denbogg, eats the middle of September

i violet plume, eats the beginning of August

i French whyte with megg, eats the end of August

i Holland plume of Stevenson, eats the end of August

i Dutchess Damson, eats the beginning of September