Primating

Origin and History

The Primating pear is documented in John Parkinson's Theatrum Botanicum (1629), where it is described as "a good moist peare, and early ripe." The variety appears to be a European pear of early modern origin, known in English fruit cultivation by at least the early seventeenth century.

Fruit Characteristics

Moisture and Texture: Characterized as a "moist" pear, indicating succulent, juicy flesh.

Flavor Profile: Described simply as "good," suggesting agreeable palatability by seventeenth-century standards.

Season

Ripening: Early ripening variety—among the first pears to mature in the season.

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Editorial Note

This entry is drawn from a single historical reference in Parkinson (1629), as cited in Hedrick's The Pears of New York (1921). The available historical record provides minimal detail regarding size, form, skin color, tree habit, or other characteristics that would aid in positive identification. This variety may be obsolete or confused with other early pears in modern cultivation. Further documentation from period nursery catalogs or botanical herbals would be needed to fully establish identifying characteristics.