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.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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?
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]