Chapter III: Section II: Sphæroidea.--Spherical Apples (1)

They have sometimes prominences on the fruit and round the eye, but never true ribs.

CLASS III. MALA MESPILARIA.--_MEDLAR-SHAPED APPLES._

Their flavor is sweet, aromatic, similar to that of the rose, fennel, or anise.

ORDER I. APIANA.--_APIS OR ROSE APPLES._

1. Their flesh is soft, loose, marrowy, very fine-grained and of a snow-white color.--2. The cells are almost always regular and closed.--3. They are regularly ribbed round the eye, and often also over the fruit, but sometimes not at all ribbed.--4. They have a balsamic flavor, accompanied with a very agreeable odor.--5. They emit a pleasant odor, especially when briskly rubbed.--6. When they are on the tree, they are frequently covered with blue bloom, and striped like a tulip.--7. The fruit is mostly small or middle sized.--8. They are mostly of short duration, and lose their good flavor the same year.

GROUP 1. FRUCTUS OBLONGI.--_OBLONG FRUIT._

GROUP 2. FRUCTUS SPHÆRICI.--_ROUND OR FLATTENED FRUIT._

ORDER II. REINETTA.--_REINETTES._

1. These are apples which have generally the most regular and handsome shape; having the bulge in the middle, at the same distance from the eye as from the stalk.--2. All are dotted, clouded, or entirely covered with russet.--3. They are very rarely inclined to be unctuous, but generally rough when handled.--4. They all decay very readily, (they must therefore be left as long as possible on the tree.)--5. Their flesh is fine-grained, crisp, firm, or fine and delicate.--6. They are all charged with only a balsamic, sugary acid, which is called Reinette flavored.

GROUP 1. FRUCTUS UNICOLORES.--_SELF COLORED._

1. Having an uniform green ground color, which changes to the most beautiful golden yellow.--2. Having no lively colors nor marks of russet, on the side next the sun; except those that are very much exposed, and are slightly tinged with red.--3. Having no covering of russet, but only slight traces of russety stripes.

GROUP 2. FRUCTUS RUBRI.--_FRUIT RED._

Having all the properties of the self colored Reinettes; but on the side next the sun, they are of a red color, with a mixture of russet.

GROUP 3. FRUCTUS RAVI.--_FRUIT RUSSETED._

1. Their ground color is green, changing to dingy dull yellow.--2. The coatings of russet are very conspicious.--3. The side next the sun is often dingy, brownish, or ochreous-red.--4. They all decay very readily.

GROUP 4. FRUCTUS AUREI.--_YELLOW OR GOLDEN FRUIT._

GOLDEN REINETTES.

1. On the side next the sun they are washed or striped with beautiful crimson.--2. The ground color changes by keeping, to beautiful deep yellow.--3. Over the crimson there is a light, thin trace, or complete covering of russet.

CLASS IV. MALA MALARIA.--_PERFECT OR PURE APPLE SHAPED._

They are of a perfectly sweet or vinous flavor, approaching to pure acid.

ORDER I. STRIOLA.--_STRIPED APPLES._

1. They are all, and almost always, marked with broken stripes of red.--2. These are either over the whole fruit, or only indistinctly on the side exposed to the sun.--3. The stripes may all be distinct, that is, clearly and finely striped; or between these stripes on the side next the sun, the fruit is dotted, shaded, or washed with red; but on the shaded side, the stripes are well defined.--4. The cells are regular.--5. The fruit does not decay, except when gathered before maturity, or after the period when it has been properly ripened.

GROUP 1. FRUCTUS DEPRESSI.--_FRUIT FLAT._

1. They have the bulge at the same distance from the eye, as from the stalk, and are broadly flattened.--2. They are always half an inch broader than high.

GROUP 2. FRUCTUS ACUMINATI.--_POINTED FRUIT._

1. They are broader than high.--2. They diminish from the middle of the apple towards the eye, so that the superior half is conical or pyramidal, and is not at all similiar to the inferior half.

GROUP 3. FRUCTUS OBLONGI.--_FRUIT OBLONG OR CYLINDRICAL._

1. The height and breadth are almost equal.--2. They diminish gradually from the base to the apex.--3. Or from the middle of the fruit, they gradually diminish towards the base and apex equally.

GROUP 4. FRUCTUS SPHÆRICI.--_FRUIT ROUND._

1. The convexity of the fruit next the base and the apex is the same.--2. The breadth does not differ from the height, except only about a quarter of an inch.--3. When laid on their sides they present a spherical shape.

ORDER II. CONTUBERNALIA.--_STORING OR HOUSEHOLD APPLES._

1. Having the cells regular.--2. They are not striped, and are either of an uniform color, or washed with red on the side next the sun.--3. They do not decay readily.--4. They are not unctuous when handled.--5. They are never covered with bloom.

GROUP 1. FRUCTUS ACUMINATI.--_FRUIT TAPERING._

Diminishing towards the eye.

GROUP 2. FRUCTUS DEPRESSI.--_FRUIT FLAT._

They are constantly broader than high.

* * * * *

Such is the classification of Dochnahl, and although it is not all that could be desired, it is certainly the best which has yet been published, and will serve as a good foundation on which to raise a more perfect work.

I have not had an opportunity of applying either of these arrangements to the classification of our British apples, but for the purpose of affording a little assistance in identifying the different varieties described in this work, I have prepared the following, which, although I am aware is not what could be desired, will at least be sufficient for all general purposes. The period of duration, and the coloring of fruits, vary to a considerable extent according to circumstances of soil, situation, and season; but in the following arrangement, I have endeavored to embrace those characters which they are most generally found to possess.

I. SUMMER APPLES.

Consisting of such as either ripen on the tree, or shortly after being gathered, and which generally do not last longer than the beginning of October.

§--ROUND, ROUNDISH, OR OBLATE.

A. PALE COLORED.

_Being either of an uniform pale color, or occasionally tinged with faint red._

Calville Blanche d’Eté Dutch Codlin Early Harvest Early Julien Early Spice Joanneting Large Yellow Bough Madeleine Oslin Sack and Sugar Stirzaker’s Early Square

B. STRIPED.

_Being wholly or partially marked with stripes, either on a pale or colored ground._

Borovitsky Duchess of Oldenburgh Nonesuch Ravelstone Pippin Whorle

C. RED.

_Having either a cloud of red on the side next the sun, or entirely covered with red._

Calville Rouge d’Eté Calville Rouge de Micoud Cole Devonshire Quarrenden Irish Peach Maiden’s Blush Passe Pomme d’Automne Passe Pomme Rouge Red Astrachan

§§--OBLONG, CONICAL, OVAL, OR OVATE.

A. PALE COLORED.

_Being either of an uniform pale color, or occasionally tinged with faint red._

Carlisle Codlin Early Wax English Codlin Keswick Codlin Manks Codlin Springrove Codlin Sugar Loaf Pippin Summer Golden Pippin Teuchat’s Egg White Astrachan

B. STRIPED.

_Being wholly or partially marked with stripes, either on a pale or colored ground._

American Summer Pearmain Creeper Kerry Pippin Longville’s Kernel Margaret Pigeonnet

C. RED.

_Having either a cloud of red on the side next the sun, or entirely covered with red._

Dr. Helsham’s Pippin Hollow Core King of the Pippins Sugar and Brandy

II. AUTUMN APPLES.

Including such as are in use from the time of gathering to Christmas.

§--ROUND, ROUNDISH, OR OBLATE.

A. PALE COLORED.

_Being either of an uniform pale color, or occasionally tinged with faint red._

American Fall Bland’s Jubilee Breedon Pippin Bridgewater Pippin Broadend Broad Eyed Pippin Cobham Dowell’s Pippin Downton Pippin Drap d’Or Early Nonpareil Flanders Pippin Forest Stire Franklin’s Golden Pippin Gloria Mundi Golden Monday Golden Noble Gooseberry Apple Grange Harvey Apple Pawsan Small Stalk Stead’s Kernel Waltham Abbey Seedling White Westling Winter Lading Yellow Elliot

B. STRIPED.

_Being wholly or partially marked with stripes, either on a pale or colored ground._

Bachelor’s Glory Biggs’s Nonesuch Cellini Chester Pearmain Creed’s Marigold Elford Pippin Flushing Spitzenburgh Gravenstein Green Woodcock Hermann’s Pippin Hoary Morning Hollandbury Kentish Fill Basket Kingston Black Longstart Monkton Nanny Rabine Rambour Franc Red-Streak Red Streaked Rawling Siberian Harvey Summer Strawberry Trumpington

C. RED.

_Having either a cloud of red on the side next the sun, or entirely covered with red._

Api Etoillé Bere Court Pippin Borsdorffer Burn’s Seedling Calville Rouge d’Automne Cherry Apple Contin Reinette Flower of Kent Forge Foxley Glory of the West Greenup’s Pippin Hawthornden Isle of Wight Pippin Lady’s Delight De Neige Red-Must Rymer Scarlet Crofton Scarlet Tiffing Scotch Bridget Siberian Bitter Sweet Summer Broadend

D. RUSSET.

_Being entirely or to a great extent covered with russet._

Brown Kenting Cornish Aromatic Ten Shillings

§§--OBLONG, CONICAL, OVAL, OR OVATE.

A. PALE COLORED.

_Being either of an uniform pale color, or occasionally tinged with faint red._

Brookes’s Catshead Coccagee Costard Cray Pippin Green Tiffing Hargreave’s Green Sweet Harvey’s Wiltshire Defiance Isleworth Crab Kilkenny Pearmain Lucombe’s Pine Marmalade Melrose Monkland Pippin Nelson Codlin Pitmaston Golden Wreath Proliferous Reinette Sheep’s Nose Tarvey Codlin Toker’s Incomparable Transparent Codlin White Wine Wormsley Pippin Yellow Ingestrie

B. STRIPED.

_Being wholly or partially marked, with stripes, either on a pale or colored ground._

Augustus Pearmain Belle Bonne Colonel Vaughan’s Bennet Apple Best Bache Broughton Cowarne Red Duke of Beaufort’s Pippin Duncan Emperor Alexander Fill Basket Garter Glory of England Golden Streak Golden Winter Pearmain Hagloe Crab Mère de Ménage Moore’s Seedling Queen of Sauce Summer Pearmain White Paradise

C. RED.

_Having either a cloud of red on the side next the sun, or entirely covered with red._

Fox Whelp Friar Ganges Grey Leadington Kentish Pippin Long Nose Pigeon Red Ingestrie Wickham’s Pearmain Woodcock

D. RUSSET.

_Being entirely, or to a great extent covered with russet._

Bowyer’s Russet Patch’s Russet Pine Apple Russet

III.--WINTER APPLES.

Including such as are in use during the whole of the Winter and Spring.

§--ROUND, ROUNDISH, OR OBLATE.

A. PALE COLORED.

_Being either of an uniform pale color, or occasionally tinged with faint red._

Alfriston Bedfordshire Foundling Belledge Pippin Birmingham Pippin Blenheim Pippin Bringewood Pippin Calville Blanche d’Hiver Cluster Golden Pippin Court of Wick Devonshire Buckland Dredge’s Fair Maid of Wishford Dredge’s Fame Essex Pippin Fair’s Nonpareil Famagusta Fenouillet Jaune Gogar Pippin Golden Pippin Holland Pippin Hollow Crowned Pippin Hughes’s Golden Pippin Minchall Crab Morris’s Court of Wick Rambo Reinette Diel Reinette Franche Reinette Jaune Sucrée Reinette Vert Rhode Island Greening Saint Julien Screveton Golden Pippin Siely’s Mignonne Sleeping Beauty Spitzenberg Veiny Pippin Wyken Pippin Yellow Newtown Pippin

B. STRIPED.

_Being wholly or partially marked with stripes, either on a pale or colored ground._

Brabant Bellefleur Calville Rouge d’Hiver Caroline Christie’s Pippin Dutch Mignonne Fulwood Golden Reinette Gros Faros Hall Door Hambledon Deux Ans Hoskreiger Keeping Red Streak Kirke’s Lord Nelson Lincolnshire Holland Pippin Lucombe’s Seedling Newtown Spitzenberg Ribston Pippin Round Winter Nonesuch Royal Reinette Scarlet Nonpareil Selwood’s Reinette Shakespere Shepherd’s Fame Somerset Lasting Spice Apple Striped Beefing Striped Monstrous Reinette Taunton Golden Pippin Watson’s Dumpling West Grinstead Pippin Yorkshire Greening

C. RED.

_Having either a cloud of red on the side next the sun, or entirely covered with red._

Api Api Gros Api Noir Baddow Pippin Bank Belle Grisdeline Braddick’s Nonpareil Brickley Seedling Calville Malingre Clara Pippin Coul Blush Court-pendu Plat Dumelow’s Seedling Fair Maid of Taunton Fearn’s Pippin Harvey’s Pippin Haute Bonté London Pippin Mela Carla Minier’s Dumpling Newtown Pippin Nonpareil Norfolk Beefing Norfolk Paradise Northern Greening Osterley Pippin Padley’s Pippin Pearson’s Plate Petworth Nonpareil Pomewater Reinette de Breda Reinette Blanche d’Espagne Reinette de Canada Reinette Van Mons Rose de China Royal Shepherd Sir William Gibbons’s Sops in Wine Squire’s Greening Sturmer Pippin Surry Flat Cap Turk’s Cap Wanstall Wheeler’s Extreme White Virgin Winter Colman Winter Greening Winter Majetin

D. RUSSET.

_Being entirely, or to a great extent, covered with russet._

Acklam’s Russet Aromatic Russet Ashmead’s Kernel Boston Russet Byson Wood Russet Fenouillet Gris Fenouillet Rouge Golden Harvey Horsham Russet Keeping Russet Knobbed Russet Morris’s Russet New Rock Pippin Pennington’s Seedling Pile’s Russet Pitmaston Nonpareil Pomme Grise Powell’s Russet Reinette Carpentin Reinette Grise Robinson’s Pippin Ross Nonpareil Royal Russet Sam Young Sweeney Nonpareil Sykehouse Russet Wheeler’s Russet

§§--OBLONG, CONICAL, OVAL, OR OVATE.

A. PALE COLORED.

_Being either of an uniform pale color or occasionally tinged with faint red._

Barton’s Incomparable Beachamwell Bossom Cockle Pippin Coe’s Golden Drop Colonel Harbord’s Pippin Darling Pippin Hanwell Souring Hormead Pearmain Hunthouse Lemon Pippin Mitchelson’s Seedling Norfolk Stone Pippin Nottingham Pippin Oxnead Pearmain Pitmaston Golden Pippin Pope’s Apple Tower of Glammis Trumpeter Warner’s King Winter Codlin

B. STRIPED.

_Being wholly or partially marked with stripes, either on a pale or colored ground._

Adams’s Pearmain Baldwin Baxter’s Pearmain Beauty of Kent Benwell’s Pearmain Bess Pool Bristol Pearmain Claygate Pearmain Cornish Gilliflower Esopus Spitzenburgh Federal Pearmain Grange’s Pearmain Lamb Abbey Pearmain Lewis’s Incomparable Loan’s Pearmain Margil Parry’s Pearmain Royal Pearmain Scarlet Leadington Scarlet Pearmain Seek-no-Farther Winter Pearmain Winter Quoining

C. RED.

_Having either a cloud of red on the side next the sun, or entirely covered with red._

Barcelona Pearmain Farleigh Pippin Foulden Pearmain Hunt’s Deux Ans Hutton Square Irish Reinette Lady’s Finger Mannington’s Pearmain New York Pippin Ord’s Apple Petit Jean Pomeroy Ponto Pippin Russet Table Pearmain Tulip Vale Mascal Pearmain Violette Wadhurst Pippin Whitmore Pippin Woolman’s Long

D. RUSSET.

_Being entirely, or to a great extent, covered with russet._

Betsey Forman’s Crew Golden Knob Golden Pearmain Golden Russet Hubbard’s Pearmain Hunt’s Duke of Gloucester Martin Nonpareil Morris’s Nonpareil Russet Pinner Seedling Rosemary Russet Rushock Pearmain Uellner’s Gold Reinette

THE APPLE.--ITS VARIETIES.

1. ACKLAM’S RUSSET.--Fors.

IDENTIFICATION.--Fors. Treat. 92. Lind. Guide, 85. Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 733.

SYNONYME.--Aclemy Russet, _Gibs. Fr. Gard._ 359.

Fruit, below the medium size, two inches and a quarter wide, and two inches high; round and somewhat flattened. Skin, pale yellow tinged with green, and covered with thin grey russet, particularly on the side exposed to the sun. Eye, small and closed, set in a smooth, round, and shallow basin. Stalk, short, inserted in a moderately deep cavity. Flesh, white with a greenish tinge, firm, crisp, juicy, and highly flavoured.

An excellent dessert apple of first-rate quality; ripe in November, and will keep under favourable circumstances till March.

The tree is very hardy, and an excellent bearer. It succeeds best in a dry soil, and is well adapted for espalier training.

This variety is supposed to have originated at the village of Acklam, in Yorkshire.

2. ADAMS’S PEARMAIN.--Lind.

IDENTIFICATION.--Lind. Guide, 60. Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 529.

SYNONYME.--Norfolk Pippin, _Hort. Soc. Cat._ ed. 1, 685.

FIGURE.--Pom. Mag. t. 133.

Fruit, large, varying from two inches and a half to three inches high and about the same in breadth at the widest part; pearmain-shaped, very even, and regularly formed. Skin, pale yellow tinged with green, and covered with delicate russet on the shaded side; but deep yellow tinged with red, and delicately streaked with livelier red on the side next the sun. Eye, small and open, with acute erect segments, set in a narrow, round, and plaited basin. Stalk, varying from half an inch to an inch long, obliquely inserted in a shallow cavity, and generally with a fleshy protuberance on one side of it. Flesh, yellowish, crisp, juicy, rich, and sugary, with an agreeable and pleasantly perfumed flavor.

A dessert apple of first-rate quality; in use from December to February. It is a large and very handsome variety, and worthy of general cultivation.

The tree is a free and healthy grower, producing long slender shoots, by which, and its cucullated ovate leaves, it is easily distinguished. It is an excellent bearer even in a young state, particularly on the paradise or doucin stock, and succeeds well as an espalier.

3. ALFRISTON.--Hort.

IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 8. Lind. Guide, 26. Down. Fr. Amer. 97.

SYNONYMES.--Lord Gwydyr’s Newtown Pippin, _Acc. Hort. Soc. Cat._ ed. 3. Oldaker’s New, _Ibid._ Shepherd’s Pippin, _in Sussex_. Shepherd’s Seedling, _Ibid._

FIGURE.--Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. xxxv. f. 1.

Fruit, of the largest size, generally about three inches and a half wide, and from two and three quarters to three inches high; roundish, and angular on the sides. Skin, greenish yellow on the shaded side, and tinged with orange next the sun, covered all over with veins, or reticulations of russet. Eye, open, set in a deep and uneven basin. Stalk, short, inserted in a deep cavity. Flesh, yellowish white, crisp, juicy, sugary, and briskly flavoured.

This is one of the largest and best culinary apples. It comes into use in the beginning of November and continues till April.

The tree is a strong and vigorous grower, very hardy, and an abundant bearer.

This variety is supposed to have been raised by a person of the name of Shepherd, at Uckfield, in Sussex, and has for many years been extensively cultivated in that county, under the names of _Shepherd’s Seedling_, and _Shepherd’s Pippin_, two names by which it is there most generally known. Some years ago a Mr. Brooker, of Alfriston, near Hailsham, in Sussex, sent specimens of the fruit to the London Horticultural Society, by whom, being unknown, it was called the _Alfriston_, a name by which it is now generally known, except in its native county. By some it is erroneously called the _Baltimore_ and _Newtown Pippin_.

4. AMERICAN FALL PIPPIN.--H.

SYNONYME.--Fall Pippin, _Coxe. View_, 109, _Down. Fr. Amer._ 84.

Fruit, large, three inches and a quarter wide, and two inches and three quarters high; roundish, ribbed on the sides, and almost the same width at the apex as the base. Skin, yellow tinged with green, and strewed with brown dots on the shaded side; but with a tinge of brown, and numerous embedded pearly specks on the side next the sun. Eye, large and open, with broad, flat segments, set in a wide, deep, and rather angular basin. Stalk, three quarters of an inch long, inserted in a rather shallow cavity, which is slightly marked with russet. Flesh, yellowish, slightly tinged with green at the margin, tender, juicy, sugary, slightly perfumed, and pleasantly flavoured.

Unlike the majority of American Apples, this comes to great perfection in this country, and is a valuable and first-rate culinary apple. It is ripe in October and will last till Christmas.

This is the true Fall Pippin of the American orchards, and a very different variety from the Fall Pippin of this country, which is known by the names of Cobbett’s Fall Pippin, and Reinette Blanche d’Espagne.

5. AMERICAN SUMMER PEARMAIN.--Ken.

IDENTIFICATION.--Ken. Amer. Or. 1. Hort Soc. Cat. ed. 3. Down. Fr. Amer. 70.

SYNONYME.--Early Summer Pearmain, _Coxe. View_, 104.

Fruit, medium sized; oblong, regularly and handsomely shaped. Skin, yellow, covered with patches and streaks of light red, on the shaded side; and streaked with fine bright red, interspersed with markings of yellow on the side next the sun. Eye, set in a wide and deep basin. Stalk, slender, inserted in a round and deep cavity. Flesh, yellow, very tender, rich, and pleasantly flavored.

An excellent early apple, either for dessert or kitchen use. It is ripe in the end of August, and will keep till the end of September.

The tree is a healthy grower, a prolific bearer, and succeeds well on light soils.

6. API.--Duh.

IDENTIFICATION.--Duh. Arb. Fr. I. 309. Quint. Traité, 1, 202.

SYNONYMES.--Lady Apple, _Coxe. View_, 117. _Down. Fr. Amer._ 115. Pomme d’Apict, _Inst. Arb. Fr._ 154. Pomme Appease, _Worl. Vin._ 165. L’Api, _Bret. Ecole._ II. 478. Pomme d’Apis, _Knoop. Pom._ 68, t. xii. Api Rouge, _Poit. Pom. Franç._ t. 113. Pomme d’Api, _Fors. Treat._ 121. Petit Api Rouge, _Nois. Jard. Fr. ed._ 2, pl. 105. Api Petit, _Hort. Soc. Cat._ ed. 3, n. 11. Pomme Rose, _Acc. Hort. Soc. Cat._ erroneously. Pomme Dieu and Long Bois, _in some provinces of France_. Kleine Api Apfel, _Christ. Handb. ed._ 2, n. 145. Der Jungfernapfel, _Christ Handworter_, 17. Der Einfache, der Welsche Api, _Ibid._ Bollen oder Traubenapfel, _Ibid._ Api Roesje, _Ibid._ Appius Claudius, _Evelyn. Fr. Gard._ 124. Malus Apiosa, _Hort. Par._

FIGURES.--Duh. Arb. Fr. I. pl. ix. Brook. Pom. Brit. pl. lxxxvii. f. 1. Jard. fruit, ed. 2, pl. 105. Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. xxxii. f. 1.

Fruit, small; oblate. Skin, thick, smooth, and shining, yellowish green in the shade, changing to pale yellow as it attains maturity; and deep glossy red, approaching to crimson, on the side next the sun. Eye, small, set in a rather deep and plaited basin. Stalk, short, and deeply inserted. Flesh, white, crisp, tender, sweet, very juicy, and slightly perfumed.

A beautiful little dessert apple in use from October to April.

It should be eaten with the skin on, as it is there that the perfume is contained. The skin is very sensitive of shade, and any device may be formed upon it, by causing pieces of paper, in the form of the design required, to adhere on the side exposed to the sun, before it has attained its deep red color.

The tree is of a pyramidal habit of growth, healthy, and an abundant bearer. It succeeds well in almost any situation, provided the soil is rich, loamy, and not too light or dry; and may be grown with equal success either on the doucin, or crab stock. When worked on the French paradise it is well adapted for pot culture. The fruit is firmly attached to the spurs and forcibly resists the effects of high winds.

It has been asserted, that this apple was brought from Peloponessus to Rome, by Appius Claudius. Whether this be true or not, there can be no doubt it is of great antiquity, as all the oldest authors regard it as the production of an age prior to their own. Dalechamp and Harduin are of opinion that it is the Petisia of Pliny; but J. Baptista Porta considers it to be the Appiana of that author, who thus describes it, “Odor est his cotoneorum magnitudo quæ Claudianis, color rubens.”[I] From this description it is evident that two varieties are referred to, the Appiana and Claudiana. Such being the case, J. Baptista Porta says, “duo sunt apud nos mala, magnitudine, et colore paria, et preciosa, quorum unum odorem servat cotoneorum, alterum minimè. Quod odore caret, vulgo dictum _Melo rosa_. Id roseo colore perfusum est, mira teneritudine et sapore, minimè fugax, pomum magnitudine media, ut facile cum ceteris de principatu certet, nec indignum Claudii nomine. Hoc Claudianum dicerem.”[J] This Melo Rosa may possibly be the Pomme Rose or Gros Api; and if so, we may infer that the Api is the _Appiana_, and the Gros Api the _Claudiana_ of Pliny. This, however, may be mere conjecture, but as the authority referred to, was a native of Naples, and may be supposed to know something of the traditionary associations of the Roman fruits, I have deemed it advisable to record his opinion on the subject. According to Merlet, the Api was first discovered as a wilding in the Forest of Api, in Brittany.

Although mentioned by most of the early continental writers, the Api does not appear to have been known in this country, till towards the end of the 17th century. It is first mentioned by Worlidge, who calls it “Pomme Appease, a curious apple, lately propagated; the fruit is small and pleasant, which the Madams of France carry in their pockets, by reason they yield no unpleasant scent.” Lister, in his “Journey to Paris, 1698,” speaking of this as being one of the apples served up in the dessert, says, “Also the Pome d’Apis, which is served here more for show than for use; being a small flat apple, very beautiful, and very red on one side, and pale or white on the other, and may serve the ladies at their toilets as a pattern to paint by.” De Quintinye calls it “Une Pomme des Damoiselles et de bonne compagnie.”

Under the name of _Lady Apple_, large quantities of the Api are annually imported to this country from the United States, where it is grown to a great extent, and produces a considerable return to the growers, as it always commands the highest price of any other fancy apple in the market. In the winter months, they may be seen encircled with various coloured tissue papers, adorning the windows of the fruiterers in Covent Garden Market.

There are other varieties mentioned by J. B. Porta as belonging to the Api family; one which ripened in August, in size like the Claudiana already mentioned, and commonly called _Melo Appio Rosso_, because it retained the scent of the Api; this is probably the Rother Sommer-api of Diel. There is another, of which he says, “Assererem tuto esse Melapium Plinii,” and which was held in such estimation as to give rise to the proverb--

“Omme malum malum præter appium malum.”

[I] Plinii Hist. Nat. Lib. xv., cap. 14.

[J] Villæ, p. 278.

7. API GROS.--Duh.

IDENTIFICATION.--Duh. Arb. Fr. 1, 312. Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3.

SYNONYMES.--Pomme Rose, _Quint. Traité_, I. 203, but not of Knoop. Pomme d’Api Gros. _Ron. Pyr. Mal._ 39. Passe-rose, _Chart. Cat._ 55. Grosser Api, Rosenapi, _Diel Kernobst._ iv., 228. Api Rose. Doppelter Api, _Acc. Christ Handworter_. Rubenapfel, _Ibid._ Api Grand, _Ibid._

FIGURE.--Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. xx. f. 1.

Fruit, below medium size, two inches and three quarters wide, and two inches high; oblate. Skin, pale green, changing as it ripens to pale yellow on the shaded side, and pale red, mottled with green, where exposed to the sun. Eye, small and closed, set in a shallow and plaited basin. Stalk, short, inserted in a wide, rather deep, and russety cavity. Flesh, greenish, tender, crisp, very juicy, and briskly flavored.

Suitable either for the dessert, or for culinary purposes; it is inferior to the Api and not a first-rate apple. In use from December to March. The tree has much similarity to the Api in its growth, and is a good bearer.

This is a variety of the preceding, and closely resembles it in all its parts, except that it is much larger. “La Pomme Rose resemble extremement partout son exterieur a la Pomme d’Apis, mais à mon goût elle ne la vaut pas quoy que puissent dire les curieux du Rhône, qui la veulent autant élever aussi au dessus des autres, qu’ils élevent la Poire Chat au dessus des autres Poires.”--_De Quintinye._

8. API ETOILLE.--Diel.

IDENTIFICATION.--Diel. Kernobst. B. iv. 31.

SYNONYMES.--Pomme Etoillée, _Duh. Arb. Fr._ I. 312. Pomme d’Etoille, _Ibid._ Gelber Sternförmiger Api, _Diel Kernobst._ B. iv. 31. Sternapfel, _Christ Handworter_, 106. _Hort. Soc. Cat._ ed. 3, n. 797.

This is a variety of the Api, from which it is distinguished by being very much flattened, and furnished with five very prominent angles on the sides, which give it the appearance of a star, hence its name. It is of a deep yellow on the shaded side, and redish orange next the sun. It is a well-flavored apple, but only of second-rate quality. It ripens about the middle or end of September.

The variety received under this name by the London Horticultural Society must have been incorrect, as in the last edition of their catalogue it is made synonymous with Api Petit.

9. API NOIR.--Duh.

IDENTIFICATION.--Duh. Arb. Fr. I. 311. Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3.

SYNONYME.--Schwarzer Api, _Diel Kernobst._ ix. 214.

FIGURE.--Poit et. Turp. pl. 137.

Fruit, small, but a little larger and somewhat flatter than the Api, to which it bears a close resemblance. Skin, tender, smooth, and shining as if varnished, and almost entirely covered, where exposed to the sun, with very dark crimson, almost approaching to black, like the Pomme Violette, but becoming paler towards the shaded side, where there is generally a patch of light yellow; it is strewed with fawn-colored dots, and some markings of russet. Eye, very small, set in a pretty deep and plaited basin. Stalk, slender, about three quarters of an inch long, inserted in a rather deep, wide, and funnel-shaped cavity, which is slightly marked with russet. Flesh, pure white, firm and juicy, tinged with red under the skin, and with a pleasant, vinous, and slightly perfumed flavor.

A dessert apple, inferior to the Api, and cultivated merely for curiosity. It is in use from November to April, but is very apt to become meally.

The habit of the tree is similar to that of the Api, but it is rather a larger grower.

10. AROMATIC RUSSET.--Lind.

IDENTIFICATION.--Lind. Guide, 86. Rog. Fr. Cult. 105.

FIGURE.--Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. viii.

Fruit, medium sized, two inches and a half wide, and about two inches and a quarter high; roundish-ovate, and flattened at both ends. Skin, greenish yellow, almost entirely covered with brownish grey russet, strewed with brownish scales on the shaded side, and slightly tinged with brownish red, strewed with silvery scales on the side exposed to the sun. Eye, small and open, with broad recurved segments, and set in a rather shallow basin. Stalk, short, inserted in a deep and round cavity. Flesh, greenish yellow, firm, crisp, brisk, sugary, and richly aromatic.

A dessert apple of the first quality, in use from December to February.

The tree is very hardy and an abundant bearer.

11. ASHMEAD’S KERNEL.--Lind.

IDENTIFICATION.--Lind. Guide, 86. Ron. Pyr. Mal. 63, but not of Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 2.

SYNONYME.--Dr. Ashmead’s Kernel, _in Gloucestershire_.

FIGURE.--Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. xxxii. f. 5.

Fruit, below medium size; round and flattened, but sometimes considerably elongated; the general character, however, is shown in the accompanying figure. Skin, light greenish yellow, covered with yellowish brown russet, and a tinge of brown next the sun. Eye, small and partially open, placed in a moderately deep basin. Stalk, short, inserted in a round and deep cavity. Flesh, yellowish, firm, crisp, juicy, sugary, rich, and highly aromatic.

A dessert apple of the very first quality, possessing all the richness of the Nonpareil, but with a more sugary juice. It comes into use in November, but is in greatest perfection from Christmas till May.

The tree is very hardy, an excellent bearer, and will succeed in situations unfavorable to the Nonpareil, to which its leaves and shoots bear such a similarity, as to justify Mr. Lindley in believing it to be a seedling from that variety.

This delightful apple was raised at Gloucester, about the beginning of last century, by Dr. Ashmead, an eminent physician of that city. The original tree existed within the last few years, in what had originally been Dr. Ashmead’s garden, but was destroyed in consequence of the ground being required for building. It stood on the spot now occupied by Clarence Street. It is difficult to ascertain the exact period when it was raised; but the late Mr. Hignell, an eminent orchardist at Tewkesbury, in Gloucestershire, informed me, that the first time he ever saw the fruit of Ashmead’s Kernel, was from a tree in the nursery of Mr. Wheeler, of Gloucester, in the year 1796, and that the tree in question had been worked from the original, and was at that time upwards of thirty years old. From this it may be inferred that the original tree had attained some celebrity by the middle of last century. The Ashmead’s Kernel has long been a favorite apple in all the gardens of West Gloucestershire, but it does not seem to have been known in other parts of the country. Like the Ribston Pippin it seems to have remained long in obscurity, before its value was generally appreciated; it is not even enumerated in the catalogue of the extensive collection which was cultivated by Miller and Sweet, of Bristol, in 1790. I find it was cultivated in the Brompton Park Nursery, in 1780, at which time it was received from Mr. Wheeler, nurseryman, of Gloucester, who was author of “The Botanist’s and Gardener’s Dictionary,” published in 1763, and grandfather of Mr. J. Cheslin Wheeler, the present proprietor of the nursery, to whom I am indebted for specimens of the fruit, and much valuable information connected with the varieties cultivated in that district.

12. AUGUSTUS PEARMAIN--Hort.

IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3. p. 30.

Fruit, below medium size; pearmain-shaped, regular and handsome. Skin, thick and membranous, yellow in the shade, and marked with a few broken stripes of red; but red, streaked all over with deeper red on the side next the sun; it is dotted with grey dots, and sometimes marked with patches of grey-colored russet, which is strewed with scales of a darker color. Eye, small and closed, with long segments, set in a narrow and even basin. Stalk, very short, not protruding beyond the base, and having the appearance of a knob obliquely attached. Flesh, tender, juicy, brisk, and vinous, with a pleasant aromatic flavor.

A dessert apple, generally of only second-rate quality; but in some seasons it is of a rich flavor and of first-rate quality.

It is in use from November to Christmas.

13. BACHELOR’S GLORY.--H.

Fruit, large, three inches wide, and two and three quarters high; roundish and irregularly ribbed, generally higher on one side of the eye than the other. Skin, smooth and shining, striped with deep golden yellow, and crimson stripes. Eye, closed, with broad flat segments, and set in a plaited, irregular, and angular basin. Stalk, about half an inch long, deeply inserted in a funnel-shaped cavity, which is lined with rough scaly russet. Flesh, yellow, tender, juicy, and pleasantly flavored.

A second-rate fruit, suitable either for the dessert or culinary purposes; in use from October to November.

This is a variety grown in the neighbourhood of Lancaster, where it is much esteemed, but in the southern districts, where the more choice varieties can be brought to perfection, it can only rank as a second-rate fruit.

14. BADDOW PIPPIN.--H.

SYNONYME.--Spring Ribston, _Riv. Cat._ 1848.

Fruit, medium sized; roundish or rather oblate, with prominent ribs on the sides, which terminate in four, and sometimes five considerable ridges at the crown, very much in the character of the London Pippin. It is sometimes of an ovate shape, caused by the stalk being prominent instead of depressed, in which case the ribs on the sides, and ridges round the eye, are less apparent. Skin, deep lively green, changing as it ripens to yellowish green, on the shaded side; but covered on the side next the sun with dull red, which changes to orange where it blends with the yellow ground; the whole considerably marked with thin brown russet, and russety dots. Eye, rather large and open, with short segments, and set in an angular basin. Stalk, very short, not more than a quarter of an inch long, and inserted in a shallow cavity. Flesh, greenish white, firm, crisp, juicy, sugary, and with a particularly rich and vinous flavor, partaking somewhat of the Nonpareil and Ribston, but particularly the latter.

This is a first-rate dessert apple, in use in November, and possessing the desirable property of keeping till April or May.

This variety originated in the garden of Mr. John Harris, of Broomfield, near Chelmsford, and was first introduced to public notice in the autumn of 1848.

15. BALDWIN.--Ken.

IDENTIFICATION.--Ken. Amer. Or. 41. Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 22. Down. Fr. Amer. 98.

SYNONYMES.--Red Baldwin, _Acc. Hort. Soc. Cat._ ed. 2. Butter’s, _Ibid._ Woodpecker, _Ibid._

Fruit, large, three inches and a half wide, and about three inches high; ovato-conical. Skin, smooth, yellow on the shaded side; and on the side next the sun, deep orange, covered with stripes of bright red, which sometimes extend over the whole surface to the shaded side, and marked with large russety dots. Eye, closed, set in a deep, narrow, and plaited basin. Stalk, about an inch long, slender, and inserted in a deep cavity, from which issue ramifying patches of russet. Flesh, yellowish, crisp, juicy, and pleasantly acid, with a rich and agreeable flavor.

A culinary apple, in season from November to March. The tree is vigorous, and an abundant bearer; but like the generality of the American sorts, it does not attain the size, or flavor in this country, which it does in its native soil.

This is considered one of the finest apples in the Northern States of America, and is extensively grown in Massachussets, for the supply of the Boston Market.

16. BANK APPLE.--H.

Fruit, medium sized, two inches and three quarters wide, and about two inches and a half high; roundish-ovate, regularly and handsomely formed. Skin, greenish yellow, with a blush and faint streaks of red next the sun, dotted all over with minute dots, and marked with several large spots of rough russet; the base is covered with a coating of russet, strewed with silvery scales. Eye, large and open, set in a shallow and plaited basin. Stalk, half an inch long, obliquely inserted by the side of a fleshy prominence. Flesh, firm, crisp, brisk, juicy, and pleasantly acid, resembling the Winter Greening in flavor.

It is an excellent culinary apple, in use from November to February; but as it has nothing to recommend it, in preference to other varieties already in cultivation, it need only be grown in large collections.

The original tree was produced from a pip, accidentally sown in the home nursery of Messrs. Ronalds, of Brentford, and from growing on a bank by the side of a ditch, it was called the _Bank Apple_.

17. BARCELONA PEARMAIN.--Hort.

IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 532. Lind. Guide, 62. Rog. Fr. Cult. 74.

SYNONYMES.--Speckled Golden Reinette, _Hort. Soc. Cat._ ed. 1, n. 933. Speckled Pearmain, _Ibid._ ed. 2. Polinia Pearmain, _Acc. Rog. Fr. Cult._ Reinette Rousse, _Duh. Arb. Fr._ I. 302. Reinette des Carmes, _Acc. Chart. Cat._ 51. Glace Rouge, _Hort. Soc. Cat._ ed. 1, n. 365. Kleine Casseler Reinette, _Diel Kernobst._ I. 182. Cassel Reinette, _Christ. Handb._ No. 58.

FIGURES.--Pom. Mag. t. 85, Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. xxi., f. 4.

Fruit, of medium size; oval. Skin, clear pale yellow, mottled with red in the shade; but dark red next the sun, the whole covered with numerous star-like russety specks, those on the shaded side being brownish, and those next the sun yellow. Eye, small and open, with erect acuminate segments, and set in a round, even, and pretty deep basin. Stalk, about an inch long, slender, inserted in a rather shallow cavity, which is lined with russet. Flesh, yellowish white, firm, crisp, very juicy, and with a rich, vinous, and highly aromatic flavor.

One of the best dessert apples, and equally valuable for culinary purposes. It comes to perfection about the end of November, and continues in use till March.

The tree is a free grower, but does not attain the largest size. It is very hardy, an abundant bearer, and succeeds well either as a standard or an espalier.

In the third edition of the Horticultural Society’s Catalogue, this is said to be the same as Reinette Rouge. I do not think that it is the Reinette Rouge of the French, which Duhamel describes as being white, or clear yellow in the shade, having often prominent ribs round the eye, which extend down the sides, so as to render the shape angular; a character at variance with that of the Barcelona Pearmain. But I have no doubt of it being the Reinette Rousse of the same author, which is described at page 302, vol. 1, as a variety of Reinette Franche, and which he says is of an elongated shape, skin marked with a great number of russety spots, the most part of which are of a longish figure, so much so, when it is ripe, it appears as if variegated with yellow and red; a character in every way applicable to the Barcelona Pearmain.

18. BARTON’S INCOMPARABLE.--Hort.

IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 352?

Fruit, below medium size; in shape somewhat like a Golden Knob, ovate or conical, with prominent ribs on the sides, which terminate in five ridges round the eye. Skin, yellowish green, covered with patches of pale brown russet, thickly strewed with large russety freckles, like the Barcelona Pearmain, and tinged with orange next the sun. Eye, small, partially open, with reflexed segments, set in a narrow and angular basin. Stalk, nearly three quarters of an inch long, inserted in a narrow and round cavity. Flesh, yellowish white, tender, crisp, brittle, very juicy, and when eaten is quite a mouthful of lively, vinous juice.

A dessert apple of the highest excellence, in use from October to February.

The tree is a good and healthy grower, attains a considerable size, and is an excellent bearer.

This variety seems to be but little known, and considering its excellence rarely cultivated. I am not aware that it exists in any of the nurseries, or that it was at any period extensively propagated. The only place where I ever met with it was, in the private garden of the late Mr. Lee, of Hammersmith, whence I procured grafts from a tree in the last stage of decay.

19. BAXTER’S PEARMAIN.--Lind.

IDENTIFICATION.--G. Lind. in Hort. Trans. vol. iv., p. 67. Lind. Guide, 62. Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 533.

Fruit, large, three inches and a quarter wide, and three inches high; roundish-ovate, and slightly angular. Skin, pale green, but tinged with red, and marked with a few indistinct streaks of darker red, on the side exposed to the sun. Eye, open, with long spreading segments, and placed in a moderately deep basin. Stalk, short and thick, not deeply inserted. Flesh, yellowish, firm, brisk, and sugary, and with an abundance of pleasantly acid juice.

An excellent apple, suitable either for culinary purposes, or the dessert; in use from November to March.

The tree is hardy, vigorous, a most abundant bearer, and even in seasons when other varieties fail, this is almost safe to ensure a plentiful crop. It is extensively cultivated in Norfolk, and deserves to be more generally known in other districts of the country.

20. BEACHAMWELL.--Hort.

IDENTIFICATION--Lind. Guide, 35. Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 13.

SYNONYMES.--Beachamwell Seedling, _Hort. Soc. Cat._ ed. 1, 42. Motteux’s Seedling, _Acc. Hort. Soc. Cat._

FIGURES.--Pom. Mag. t. 82. Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. xxvii. f. 6.

Fruit, small, about two inches wide, and the same in height; ovate, handsomely and regularly formed. Skin, greenish yellow, covered with patches and dots of russet, particularly round the eye. Eye, small and open, set in a shallow, narrow, and even basin. Stalk, about half an inch long, almost embedded in a round cavity. Flesh, yellowish white, tender, crisp, and very juicy, with a rich, brisk, and sugary flavor.

A rich and deliciously flavored dessert apple, of the highest excellence; in use from December to March.

The tree is perfectly hardy, a healthy and vigorous grower, but does not attain a large size; it is an excellent bearer.

This variety was raised by John Motteux, Esq., of Beachamwell, in Norfolk, where, according to Mr. George Lindley, the original tree still existed in 1831. It is not very generally cultivated, but ought to form one even in the smallest collections.

21. BEAUTY OF KENT.--Fors.

IDENTIFICATION.--Fors. Treat. 93. Lind. Guide, 27. Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 37. Down. Fr. Amer. 81.

SYNONYME.--Kentish Pippin, of some, _Acc. Hort. Soc. Cat._

FIGURES.--Brook. Pom. Brit. pl. xc. f. 6. Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. xv. f. 1.

Fruit, large; roundish-ovate, broad and flattened at the base, and narrowing towards the apex, where it is terminated by several prominent angles. Skin, deep yellow slightly tinged with green, and marked with faint patches of red, on the shaded side; but entirely covered with deep red, except where there are a few patches of deep yellow, on the side next the sun. Eye, small and closed, with short segments, and set in a narrow and angular basin. Stalk, short, inserted in a wide and deep cavity, which, with the base, is entirely covered with rough brown russet. Flesh, yellowish, tender, and juicy, with a pleasant sub-acid flavor.

A valuable and now well-known culinary apple, in use from October to February. When well grown the Beauty of Kent is perhaps the most magnificent apple in cultivation. Its great size, the beauty of its coloring, the tenderness of the flesh, and profusion of delicate sub-acid juice, constitute it one of our most popular winter apples, for culinary purposes, and one of the most desirable and useful, either for a small garden, or for more extended cultivation.

The tree is a strong and vigorous grower, attains a large size, and is a good bearer; but I have always found it subject to canker when grown on the paradise stock, and in soils which are moist and heavy.

I have not been able to ascertain the time when, or the place where this variety originated. It is first noticed by Forsyth in his Treatise on Fruit Trees, but is not enumerated in any of the nurserymen’s catalogues, either of the last, or the early part of the present, century. It was introduced to the Brompton Park Nursery, about the year 1820, and is now as extensively cultivated as most other leading varieties. In America, Downing says, “the fruit in this climate is one of the most magnificent of all apples, frequently measuring sixteen or eighteen inches in circumference.”

22. BEDFORDSHIRE FOUNDLING.--Hort.

IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 42. Lind. Guide, 63. Down. Fr. Amer. 107.

SYNONYME.--Cambridge Pippin, _Acc. Hort. Soc. Cat._

FIGURE.--Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. xxviii. f. 2.

Fruit, large, three inches and a quarter wide, and three inches and a half high; roundish-ovate, inclining to oblong, with irregular and prominent angles on the sides, which extend to the apex, and form ridges round the eye. Skin, dark green at first, and changing, as it attains maturity, to pale greenish yellow on the shaded side; but tinged with orange on the side next the sun, and strewed with a few fawn-colored dots. Eye, open, set in a deep, narrow, and angular basin. Stalk, short, inserted in a deep cavity. Flesh, yellowish, tender, pleasantly sub-acid, and with a somewhat sugary flavor.

An excellent culinary apple of first-rate quality, in use from November to March.

23. BELLE BONNE.--Lind.

IDENTIFICATION.--Lind. Guide, 63. Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 43.

SYNONYMES.--Winter Belle boon, _Park. Par._ 587. Winter Belle and Bonne, _Raii Hist._ II. 1448. Winter Belle and Bon, _Worl. Vin._ 156. Rolland, _Acc. Lind. Guide_.

Fruit, above medium size, three inches wide, and three and a quarter high; ovato-conical. Skin, thick, pale greenish yellow, and marked with a few redish streaks on the side next the sun. Eye, small and closed. Stalk, half-an-inch long, obliquely inserted under a fleshy lip. Flesh, firm, juicy, and well-flavored.

A valuable culinary apple, in use from October to January. The tree is very hardy, a strong, vigorous, and healthy grower, and a good bearer.

This is a very old English variety. It was known to Parkinson so early as 1629, and also to Worlidge and Ray. But it is not noticed by any subsequent author, or enumerated in any of the nursery catalogues of the last century, until discovered by George Lindley, growing in a garden at Gatton, near Norwich, and published by him in the Transactions of the London Horticultural Society, vol. iv., p. 58. He seems to be uncertain whether it is the Summer, or Winter Belle Bonne of these early authors, but Worlidge’s description leaves no doubt as to its identity. He says “The Summer Belle et Bonne is a good bearer, but the fruit is not long lasting. The Winter Belle and Bon is much to be preferred to the Summer in every respect.” I have no doubt, therefore, that the latter is the Belle Bonne of Lindley. Parkinson says “they are both fair fruit to look on, being yellow, and of a meane (medium) bignesse.”

24. BELLEDGE PIPPIN.--Hort.

IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 49.

SYNONYMES.--Belledge, _Lind. Guide_, 36. Belledge Pippin, _Hort. Soc. Cat._ ed. 1, 65.

FIGURE.--Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. xvi., f. 4.

Fruit, below medium size, two inches and a half wide, and two inches high; roundish, narrowing a little towards the apex, regularly and handsomely formed. Skin, pale green, changing to yellow as it ripens, with a tinge of brown where exposed to the sun, and strewed with grey, russety dots. Eye, small, partially closed with short segments, and placed in a round, narrow, and rather shallow basin. Stalk, half-an-inch long, inserted in a round and deep cavity. Flesh, greenish yellow, tender, soft, brisk, sugary, and aromatic.

An excellent, but not first-rate apple, suitable either for the dessert or culinary purposes. It is in use from November to March.

25. BELLE GRIDELINE.--Lind.

IDENTIFICATION.--Lind. Plan Or. 1796. Lind. Guide, 36.

SYNONYME.--Belle Grisdeline, _Fors. Treat._ 93.

Fruit, medium sized; round, and regularly formed. Skin, clear yellow, marbled and washed with clear red, and intermixed with thin grey russet next the sun. Eye, set in a deep, round basin. Stalk, slender, deeply inserted in a round cavity. Flesh, white, firm, crisp, and briskly flavored.

An excellent dessert apple, in season from December to March. The tree is healthy and vigorous, of the middle size, and an excellent bearer.

This beautiful variety was first brought into notice by Mr. George Lindley, who found it growing in a small garden near Surrey Street Gates, Norwich, where it had originated about the year 1770. Mr. Lindley first propagated it in 1793, and the original tree died about seven years afterwards.

26. BENNET APPLE.--Knight.

IDENTIFICATION AND FIGURE.--Pom. Heref. t. 21. Lind Guide, 101.

Fruit, somewhat long, irregularly shaped, broad at the base, and narrow at the apex, but sometimes broader at the middle than either of the extremities. A few obtuse angles terminate at the eye, which is small and nearly closed, with very short segments. Stalk, half-an-inch long, and very slender. Skin, dingy colored russety grey in the shade; and shaded on the sunny side with numerous streaks and patches of orange color and muddy red.

The specific gravity of the juice is 1073.

This is a good cider apple, and produces liquor of great excellence when mixed with other varieties. It is chiefly grown in the deep strong soils of the south-west part of Herefordshire, and is common in the district known as the Golden Vale. Knight says it was a very old variety, and was known previous to the 17th century, but I have not been able to find any record of it in the early works on Pomology.

27. BENWELL’S PEARMAIN.--Hort.

IDENTIFICATION.--Hort Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 534. Lind. Guide, 64.

Fruit, medium sized; pearmain-shaped. Skin, dull green with broken stripes of dull red, on the side next the sun. Eye, small, set in a shallow and slightly plaited basin. Stalk, deeply inserted in a round cavity, scarcely protruding beyond the base. Flesh, yellowish white, crisp, juicy, brisk, and aromatic.

A dessert apple, in use from December to January.

It received its name from a gentleman of the name of Benwell, of Henley-on-Thames, from whom it was received, and brought into cultivation by Kirke, a nurseryman at Brompton.

28. BERE COURT PIPPIN.--Hort.

IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Trans. vol. v. p. 400. Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 55. Lind. Guide, 10.

Fruit, medium sized; round, and slightly flattened. Skin, pale green, and changing to yellow as it ripens, with stripes of red next the sun. Eye, open, placed in a wide and shallow basin. Stalk, inserted in a deep cavity. Flesh, crisp, juicy, and briskly acid.

An excellent culinary apple, in use during September and October.

This variety was raised by the Rev. S. Breedon, D.D., of Bere Court, near Pangbourne, in Berkshire.

29. BESS POOL.--Ron.

IDENTIFICATION.--Ron. Pyr. Mal. 46.

SYNONYME.--Best Pool, _Fors. Treat._ 94.

FIGURE.--Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. xxiii. f. 8.

Fruit, above medium size, two inches and three quarters wide, and nearly three inches high; conical, and handsomely shaped. Skin, yellow, with a few markings of red on the shaded side; but where exposed to the sun it is almost entirely washed and striped with fine clear red. Eye, small, and partially open, set in a rather deep and plaited basin, which is surrounded with five prominent knobs or ridges. Stalk, short and thick, inserted in a rather shallow cavity, with generally a fleshy protuberance on one side of it, and surrounded with yellowish brown russet, which extends over a considerable portion of the base. Flesh, white, tender, and juicy, with a fine, sugary, and vinous flavor.

An excellent apple either for culinary or dessert use. It is in season from November to March.

The tree is hardy, a vigorous grower, and an abundant bearer. The flowers are very late in expanding, and are, therefore, not liable to be injured by spring frosts.

30. BEST BACHE.--Knight.

IDENTIFICATION.--Pom. Heref. t. 16. Lind. Guide, 194.

SYNONYME.--Bache’s Kernel, _Acc. Pom. Heref._

Fruit, medium sized; oblong, with obtuse angles on the sides, which extend to the apex. Skin, yellow, shaded with pale red, and streaked with darker red, interspersed with a few black specks. Eye, small, segments short and flat. Stalk, short and stout.

Specific gravity of the juice 1073.

A cider apple, grown in the south-east part of Herefordshire.

31. BETSEY.--Hort.

IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 57.

Fruit, small, about two inches wide, and an inch and three quarters high; roundish, inclining to conical and flattened. Skin, dark green at first, and considerably covered with ashy grey russet; but changing to pale yellow, and with a brownish tinge on the side next the sun. Eye, open, with short reflexed segments, and set in a very shallow depression. Stalk, short, about a quarter of an inch long, with a fleshy protuberance on one side of it, and inserted in a shallow and narrow cavity. Flesh, greenish yellow, tender, juicy, rich, and sugary.

A dessert apple of first-rate quality, in use from November to January.

32. BIGGS’S NONESUCH.--Hort.

IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Trans. vol. I. p. 70. Lind. Guide, 88. Rog. Fr. Cult. 40.

SYNONYME.--Bigg’s Nonsuch, _Fors. Treat._ 116.

FIGURE.--Brook. Pom. Brit. pl. lxxxviii., f. 3.

Fruit, medium sized; round, and broadest at the base. Skin, yellow, striped with bright crimson next the sun. Eye, open, with long reflexed segments, set in a wide and deep basin. Stalk, short, and deeply inserted. Flesh, yellowish, tender, and juicy.