18th Century Pear

We have had a request from Jamie who is trying to transcribe a letter of 1735, in which the writer seems to have given a variety of pear tree to the Duke of Atholl. He spells it as Lieuzeinsky, which may be Luzinsky.

If anybody is able to shed any light on this subject, please let us know so that we can assist Jamie with his transcription.

Jamie has kindly sent us the relevant part of the letter as someone may have a better interpretation.

The writer was chief of the Clan Donnachaidh, who spent a good 20 years in exile in France for treason for his support of the deposed Stuart dynasty. He had a known interest in gardens.

‘I have sent my Lady Jean a part of the first trails of my young standards of which the tree in the middle of the garden is one. I have wrapped them in paper that I may know if they be sweet as they are innocent like the person to be tempted. I am told the K of France has not a finer pair in his possession nor can he bestow them half so worthily & I have seen and can judge of both competitors for Birth and Beauty, without disparagement to the ?Lieuzenskys, I am to your Grace and family an eternal humble servant A ROBERTSON OF STROWAN’

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Suppliers of old seed varieties

Here you will find a few commercial suppliers of old varieties of fruit, vegetables and flowers.

Thomas Etty, Somerset (heritage seedsman and bulb merchant) Tel: 01963 359202

Organic Gardening Catalogue, Surrey (organically grown, sundries, discount for Garden Organic and RHS members)

Edwin Tucker & Sons Ltd, Devon (seeds and seed potatoes) Tel: 01364 652233

Chiltern Seeds - Fresh seeds of around 4,500 species and varieties, many rare and unusual, and including almost 200 brand new items and more than 150 reintroductions for 2010. Tel: +44 (0) 1229 581137

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