dessert use, or culinary purposes. It is in use from December to March.
In his letter to Mr. Forsyth, referred to above, Mr. Dredge says, “This
is the best apple yet known; in eating from Easter till Midsummer--most
excellent.”
The tree is hardy, a vigorous grower, an early and abundant bearer, but
according to Rogers, liable to be attacked by the woolly aphis; still
I have never found it more susceptible of that disease than most other
varieties.
There are several other varieties mentioned by Forsyth as _seedlings_
of Dredge’s, which I have not met with, as Dredge’s Queen Charlotte,
Dredge’s Russet, and Dredge’s Seedling. I have also in my collection,
Dredge’s Emperor and Lord Nelson, both of which are grown in the
West of England, but I have not yet had an opportunity of seeing the
fruit. It is, however, a question whether these are really seedlings
of Dredge’s or not; there are several varieties to which he affixed
his name, which have been ascertained to be identical with others that
existed before him, such as Dredge’s White Lily, which is synonymous
with Devonshire Buckland, and Dredge’s Beauty of Wilts, which is the
same as Harvey’s Pippin. Such instances tend to weaken our faith in the
high encomium passed upon him, by Rogers, of Southampton, in the “Fruit
Cultivator,” and induce us to class him with those who not only change
the name of some varieties, and append their own to others under the
pretence of their being new, and seedlings of their own, but dispose
of them at greater prices than they could have procured, had they
been sold under their correct names. We have but to glance over the
Horticultural Society’s Catalogue, or the Index to this work, to find
numerous instances confirmatory of this statement.
99. DUCHESS OF OLDENBURGH.--Hort.
IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 221. Down. Fr. Amer. 82.
Ron. Pyr. Mal. 12.
FIGURE.--Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. vi. f. 6.
Fruit, large, about three inches and a quarter wide, and two inches
and a half high; round, and sometimes prominently ribbed on the sides
and round the eye. Skin, smooth, greenish-yellow on the shaded side,
and streaked with broken patches of fine bright red, on the side next
the sun, sometimes assuming a beautiful dark crimson cheek; it is
covered all over with numerous russety dots, particularly round the
eye, where they are large, dark, and rough. Eye, large and closed, with
long broad segments, placed in a deep and angular basin. Stalk, long
and slender, deeply inserted in a narrow and angular cavity. Flesh,
yellowish-white, firm, crisp, and very juicy, with a pleasant, brisk,
and refreshing flavor.
An excellent early dessert apple of the first quality; ripe in the
middle of August, and continues in use till the end of September.
The tree is hardy, a free grower, and an excellent bearer.
This variety is of Russian origin.
100. DUKE OF BEAUFORT’S PIPPIN.--Hort.
IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, p. 14. Lind. Guide, 28.
Fruit, medium sized; conical, and angular on the sides. Skin, green,
strewed with freckles of russet; and streaked with red on the side
exposed to the sun. Eye, set in a deep and angular basin. Stalk, short,
inserted in a deep cavity. Flesh, greenish-white, crisp, and tender,
very juicy, and sub-acid.
A culinary apple of second-rate quality; in use from October to
Christmas.
101. DUMELOW’S SEEDLING.--Hort.
IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Trans. vol. iv. 529. Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n.
224. Lind. Guide, 44.
SYNONYMES.--Dumelow’s Crab, _acc. Hort. Trans._ Duke of Wellington,
_Ron. Pyr. Mal._ 37. Normanton Wonder, _acc. Hort. Soc. Cat._ Winter
Hawthornden, _acc. Riv. Cat._ Wellington’s, _Diel Kernobst._ v. B. 55.
Wellington’s Reinette, _Ibid._
FIGURE.--Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. xix. pl. 1.
[Illustration]
Fruit, large; roundish and flattened. Skin, pale yellow, strewed
with minute russety dots, and greenish embedded specks under the
surface and with a tinge of pale red on the side next the sun, which
is sometimes almost entirely covered with a bright red cheek. Eye,
large and open, with broad, reflexed, acuminate segments, set in an
irregular, uneven, and pretty deep basin. Stalk, half-an-inch long,
deeply inserted in a narrow, and funnel-shaped cavity, which is lined
with russet. Flesh, yellowish-white, firm, crisp, brisk, and very
juicy, with a slight aromatic flavor.
One of the most valuable culinary apples; it is in use from November to
March.
The tree is one of the strongest, and most vigorous growers, very
hardy, and an excellent bearer. The young shoots which are long and
stout, are thickly covered with large greyish white dots, which readily
distinguish this variety from almost every other.
This excellent apple was raised by a person of the name of Dumeller,
(pronounced _Dumelow_), a farmer at Shakerstone, a village in
Leicestershire, six miles from Ashby-de-la-Zouch, and is extensively
cultivated in that, and the adjoining counties under the names of
Dumelow’s Crab. It was first introduced to the neighbourhood of London,
by Mr. Richard Williams, of the Turnham Green Nursery, who received it
from Gopsal Hall, the seat of Earl Howe, and presented specimens of the
fruit to the Horticultural Society in 1820. It was with him that the
name of Wellington Apple originated, and by which only it is now known
in the London markets.
102. DUNCAN.--Hort.
IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, p. 14?
Fruit, medium sized, two inches and three quarters broad, and two
inches and a half high; conical, with ribs on the sides which terminate
in irregular and unequal knobs round the eye. Skin, pale yellow in the
shade; but deep orange finely veined with rich deep crimson next the
sun. Eye, partially closed with short, broad segments, and set in a
deep, irregular, and prominently angular basin. Stalk, very short, set
in a round cavity. Flesh, yellowish-white, crisp, juicy, and pleasantly
acid.
A handsome, showy, and very good culinary apple; in use from November
to January.
103. DUTCH CODLIN.--Hort.
IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 155. Lind. Guide, 29. Down.
Fr Amer. 83.
SYNONYMES.--Chalmers’s Large, _acc. Hort. Soc. Cat._ White Codlin _of
the Scotch Nurseries_. Glory of the West, _acc. Lind._
FIGURE.--Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. xxxvii.
Fruit, very large, four inches wide, and three inches and a half high;
roundish, inclining to oblong, irregularly and prominently ribbed.
Skin, pale green at first, but changing to pale yellow, with a faint
tinge of red next the sun. Eye, small, and deeply inserted in a narrow
and angular basin. Stalk, short and thick, inserted in a deep cavity.
Flesh, white, firm, somewhat sugary, and pleasantly sub-acid.
An excellent culinary apple of first-rate quality; in use during August
and September.
The tree is healthy and vigorous, and a good bearer.
According to Lindley this variety is sometimes called _Glory of the
West_, but that is quite a different apple, _see_ No. 141.
104. DUTCH MIGNONNE.--Hort.
IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Trans. vol. iv., p. 70. Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3,
n. 225. Lind. Guide, 44. Down. Fr. Amer. 107.
SYNONYMES.--Christ’s Golden Reinette, _Lipp. Taschenb._ p. 405.
Reinette Dorée, _Mayer. Pom. Franc._ t. xxx. but not of Knoop or
Duhamel. Grosze oder doppelte Casseler Reinette, _Diel Kernobst._ iv.
140. Paternoster Apfel, _Audibert. Cat._ Pomme de Laak, _acc. Pom.
Mag._ Stettin Pippin, _acc. Hort. Soc. Cat._ Dutch Minion, _Ron. Pyr.
Mal._ Holländische Goldreinette, _acc. Ditt. Handb._
FIGURE.--Pom. Mag. t. 84. Ron. Pyr. Mal. t. xxvi. f. 1.
[Illustration]
Fruit, medium sized; roundish, even and handsomely shaped, narrowing a
little towards the apex, where it is sometimes slightly ribbed. Skin,
dull greenish-yellow, marked all over with broken streaks of pale red
and crimson, with traces of russet, and numerous russety dots, which
are thickest round the eye. Eye, small and closed, with short and
pointed segments, placed in a deep and narrow basin. Stalk, an inch
long, inserted in a round and deep cavity, which, with a portion of
the base, is lined with rough russet. Flesh, yellow, firm, crisp, very
juicy, rich, sugary, and aromatic.
A very valuable and delicious dessert apple; in use from December to
April.
The tree is hardy, a vigorous grower, and a very abundant bearer.
It attains about the middle size when fully grown. The shoots are
thickly set with fruit spurs. It is well adapted for dwarf or espalier
training, and for these purposes succeeds well on the paradise stock.
105. EARLY HARVEST.--Hort.
IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 228. Down. Fr. Amer. 72.
Gard. Chron. 1845, p. 800.
SYNONYMES.--Early French Reinette, _Coxe. View_. 101. July Pippin,
_Floy Lind._ Prince’s Harvest, _acc. Coxe_. Prince’s Early Harvest,
_Prince Cat._ Large Early, _acc. Hort. Soc. Cat._ July Early Pippin,
_Ibid._ Yellow Harvest, _Ibid._ Large White Juneating, _acc. Down._
Tart Bough, _Ibid._ Prince’s Yellow Harvest, _acc. Gard. Chron._ July
Early Pippin, _Ibid._ Pomme d’Eté, of Canada, _Ibid._
Fruit, of medium size, two inches and three quarters wide, and two
inches and a quarter high; round. Skin, smooth, pale yellowish-green
at first, but changing to clear pale yellow as it ripens, and set with
embedded white specks, particularly round the eye. Eye, small and
closed, set in a round and shallow basin. Stalk, half an inch long,
inserted in a rather shallow cavity. Flesh, white, tender, crisp, and
juicy, with a quick and pleasantly sub-acid flavor, and as is justly
remarked by Mr. Thompson, “closely approximates that of the Newtown
Pippin, of perfect American growth.”
An estimable and refreshing early dessert apple, of the first quality;
ripe in the end of July and the beginning of August.
The tree is a healthy, and free, though not a vigorous grower, and an
abundant bearer. It is well adapted for dwarf or espalier training
when grown on the paradise stock, and ought to find a place in every
collection however small.
Though of American origin this variety succeeds to perfection in this
country; a qualification which few of the American apples possess.
106. EARLY JULIEN.--Hort.
IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Trans. vol. v. p. 267. Lind. Guide, 4. Rog. Fr.
Cult. 32.
Fruit, of medium size, two inches and three quarters wide, and
two inches and a quarter high; roundish, slightly flattened, and
prominently ribbed from the eye downwards to the base. Skin, smooth,
pale yellow, with an orange tinge next the sun, strewed all over with
minute dots and a few whitish specks. Eye, closed with broad segments,
and set in a deep, irregular, and angular basin. Stalk, short, not
extending beyond the base, and inserted in a deep and angular cavity.
Flesh, yellowish-white, crisp, very juicy, and with a brisk, pleasant,
and refreshing flavor.
An excellent early culinary apple, of first-rate quality, ripe in
the second week of August. It might with propriety be called the
Summer Hawthornden, as it equals that esteemed old variety in all its
properties.
The tree is healthy and hardy, but not a large grower. It is, however,
a good bearer, though not so much so as the Hawthornden, and is well
adapted for growing as a dwarf.
This variety is said to be of Scotch origin, but I cannot ascertain
where, or when it was first discovered. It is not mentioned by Gibson,
neither is it enumerated in the catalogue of Leslie and Anderson, of
Edinburgh, or any of the Scotch nurserymen of the last century. It
was first introduced to the south by the late Mr. Hugh Ronalds, of
Brentford, who exhibited it at the London Horticultural Society.
107. EARLY NONPAREIL.--Lind.
IDENTIFICATION.--Lind. Plan. Or. 1796. Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 467.
Lind. Guide, 88. Rog Fr. Cult. 67.
SYNONYMES.--Stagg’s Nonpareil, _acc. Hort. Soc. Cat._ New Nonpareil,
_Ibid._ Summer Nonpareil, _Ron. Cat._ Hicks’s Fancy, _Ron. Pyr. Mal._
4. Lacy’s Nonpareil, _acc. Rogers_.
FIGURE.--Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. ii. f. 6.
[Illustration]
Fruit, medium sized; somewhat oblato-ovate. Skin, dull yellow, covered
with thin brownish grey russet, and marked with large russety dots.
Eye, open, placed in a small, round, and rather shallow basin. Stalk,
half-an-inch long, inserted in a narrow, deep, and russety cavity.
Flesh, yellowish-white, tender, crisp, juicy, and sugary, with a brisk
and rich aromatic flavor, resembling the old Nonpareil.
A delicious apple for the dessert, and of the first quality; it is in
use during October and November, after which it becomes dry and meally.
The tree is a free and upright grower, perfectly hardy, an early and
abundant bearer; even in the nursery quarters it produces freely
when only two years from the graft. It is well adapted for dwarf and
espalier training, when grown on the paradise stock.
This esteemed variety was raised about the year 1780, by a nurseryman
of the name of Stagg, at Caister, near Yarmouth, in Norfolk. The name
of Hicks’s Fancy was given to it by Kirke, formerly a nurseryman at
Brompton, near London, from the circumstance of a person of the name
of Hicks, giving it the preference to the other varieties which were
fruited in the nursery. An instance of the absurd system by which the
names of fruits have been multiplied.
108. EARLY SPICE.--Hort.
IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 786.
Fruit, of medium size, two inches and three quarters wide, and two
inches and a quarter high; roundish, and somewhat angular. Skin,
smooth, of an uniform pale yellow or straw color, and thinly strewed
with greenish dots. Eye, small and open, with long, reflexed segments,
and set in a small basin. Stalk, three quarters of an inch long, deeply
inserted in a rather angular cavity, which is thickly lined with
russet. Flesh, white, tender, marrowy and very juicy; with a pleasant,
refreshing and sub-acid flavor.
An excellent early culinary apple, which is well suited for baking,
and is also good as an eating apple. It is ripe in the first week of
August, but soon becomes woolly after being gathered.
109. EARLY WAX.--Hort.
IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 2, p. 14.
SYNONYME.--Wax Apple, _Ron. Pyr. Mal._ 3.
FIGURE.--Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. ii. f. 1.
Fruit, below medium size, two inches wide, and two inches and a half
high; oblong, and somewhat ribbed, particularly at the base. Skin,
thick and membranous, of an uniform waxen yellow color. Eye, partially
open, with long reflexed segments, and set in a moderately deep basin.
Stalk, long and slender, inserted in a deep and angular cavity, from
which issue prominent ribs. Flesh, yellowish-white, tender and soft,
with a sweet and abundant juice.
A dessert apple of ordinary merit, valuable only for its earliness, as
it ripens in the first week of August, but does not keep any time.
110. ELFORD PIPPIN.--M.
IDENTIFICATION AND FIGURE.--Maund. Fruit, pl. 45.
Fruit, of medium size, two inches and three quarters wide, and the same
in height; roundish, inclining to ovate, and ribbed round the eye.
Skin, yellowish-green, with markings of russet on the shaded side, but
covered with red, which is striped with darker red on the side next the
sun. Eye, large, and somewhat closed, with broad flat segments like
those of Trumpington, placed in a rather deep and somewhat undulating
basin. Stalk, short, inserted in a rather shallow cavity, which is
lined with delicate yellowish-brown russet. Flesh, yellowish, crisp,
and tender, with a fine, brisk, sugary, and vinous flavor.
An excellent dessert apple of first-rate quality, in use from October
to Christmas. The tree is a healthy and vigorous grower, and a good
bearer.
The Elford Pippin is supposed to have been raised at Elford, near
Lichfield, where it is a very popular variety, and to which locality it
is at present chiefly confined.
111. EMPEROR ALEXANDER.--Hort.
IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Trans. vol. ii., p. 407. Lind. Guide, 14.
SYNONYMES.--Alexander, _Hort. Soc. Cat._ ed. 1, 6, and ed. 3, n. 7.
Phœnix Apple, _Brook. Pom. Brit._ Aporta, _acc. Hort. Soc. Cat._
Russian Emperor, _Ibid._ Kaiser Alexander von Russland, _Diel
Kernobst._ 2 B. 65. Aporta Nalivia, _acc. Diel Kernobst._
FIGURES.--Hort. Trans. vol. ii. t. 28. Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. xxxv. f. 2.
[Illustration]
Fruit, of the largest size; ovate. Skin, smooth, greenish-yellow,
with a few streaks of red on the shaded side; and orange covered with
streaks and patches of bright crimson on the side exposed to the sun,
the whole strewed with numerous russety dots. Eye, large, and half
open, with broad, erect, and acuminate segments, set in deep, even,
and slightly ribbed basin. Stalk, an inch or more in length, inserted
in a deep, round, and even cavity, which is lined with russet. Flesh,
yellowish-white, tender, crisp, juicy, and sugary, with a pleasant and
slightly aromatic flavor.
A beautiful and valuable apple, both as regards its size and quality.
It is more adapted for culinary than dessert use, but is also desirable
for the latter were it only on account of its noble appearance at the
table. It is in use from September to December.
The tree is a strong and vigorous grower, producing long stout shoots,
is perfectly hardy and a good bearer.
This apple was introduced to this country by Mr. Lee, nurseryman
of Hammersmith, in 1817, and was exhibited by him at the London
Horticultural Society; the specimen produced being five inches and a
half in diameter, four inches deep, sixteen inches in circumference,
and weighed nineteen ounces. It is generally supposed that this was
its first appearance in England; but there can be little doubt that
it is the _Phœnix Apple_ figured by Brookshaw, whose account of it
in 1808, is as follows:--“It was much grown fifty years back in the
neighbourhood of Twickenham, but was rather lost. The late Mr. Ash,
nurseryman at Strawberry Hill, near Twickenham, preserved it from his
father, who had an old tree of it. This specimen came from that tree.
This apple was seen in Russia by an English nobleman, who thought it
so excellent an apple, that he was induced to send some trees of it
to England, and what will appear extraordinary to English gardeners,
they were taken up in the summer with their leaves on, when they could
not be less than twelve years old by their appearance, and when they
arrived, after being six months before they came to hand, they were
planted and produced fruit, and are now fine trees. The apple has a
bloom on it like a red plum when on the tree, and is a very excellent
beautiful apple, ripens in October, and will keep through December. It
is to be had at the late Mr. Ash’s nursery, at Strawberry Hill, near
Twickenham, under the name of Phœnix Apple, from its being lost and
revived.”
112. ENGLISH CODLIN.--Hort.
IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 1, n. 176. Lind. Guide, 29. Rog.
Fr. Cult. 63.
SYNONYMES.--Quodling _Aust. Treat._ 66. Codling. _Raii Hist._ ii.
1447. Old English Codlin, _Hort. Soc. Cat._ ed. 3, n. 163. Common
Codlin, _Aber. Bot. Arr._ ii. 312.
FIGURE.--Lang. Pom. t. lxxiv. f. 3.
Fruit, above medium size; conical, irregular in its shape. Skin, pale
yellow with a faint blush on the side exposed to the sun. Eye, closed,
set in a moderately deep basin. Stalk, short, stout, and rather deeply
inserted. Flesh, white, tender, and agreeably acid.
A culinary apple of first-rate quality; ripe in August and continues in
use till October.
The trees are excellent bearers, but in most orchards they are
generally found unhealthy, cankered, and full of the woolly aphis, a
state produced, according to Mr. Lindley, by their being raised from
suckers, and truncheons stuck into the ground. In the “Guide to the
Orchard,” he says, “Healthy, robust, and substantial trees are only to
be obtained by grafting on stocks of the real Sour Hedge Crab; they
then grow freely, erect, and form very handsome heads, yielding fruit
as superior to those of our old orchards, as the old, and at present
deteriorated Codlin is to the Crab itself.” This circumstance was
noticed by Worlidge nearly two hundred years ago--“You may graft them
on stocks as you do other fruit, which will accelerate and augment
their bearing; but you may save that labor and trouble, if you plant
the Cions, Slips, or Cuttings of them in the spring-time, a little
before their budding; by which means they will prosper very well, and
soon become Trees; but these are more subject to the canker than those
that are grafted.”
This is one of our oldest English apples, and still deserving of
more general cultivation than is at present given to it. Formerly it
constituted one of the principal dishes in English cookery, in the
shape of “Codlings and Cream.” Ray says, “Crudum vix editur ob duritiem
et aciditatem, sed coctum vel cum cremore lactis, vel cum aqua rosacea
et saccharo comestum inter laudatissima fercula habetur.” The name is
derived from _coddle_, to parboil.
113. ESOPUS SPITZENBURGH.--Coxe.
IDENTIFICATION.--Coxe. View. 127. Down. Fr. Amer. 138.
SYNONYMES.--Æsopus Spitzenberg, _Hort. Soc. Cat._ ed. 3, 790. Æsopus
Spitzenburg, _Ken. Amer. Or._ 40. True Spitzenburgh, _acc. Down._
FIGURE.--Down. Fr. Amer. 138.
Fruit, large, three inches and a quarter wide, and three inches high;
ovate, and regularly formed. Skin, almost entirely covered with clear
bright red, and marked with fawn-colored russety dots, except on a
portion of the shaded side, where it is yellow tinged and streaked with
red. Eye, small and closed, set in a moderately deep and undulating
basin. Stalk, slender, about an inch long, inserted in a wide, round,
and deep cavity. Flesh, yellow, crisp, juicy, richly, and briskly
flavored.
A most excellent dessert apple; in use from November to February.
This is a native of the United States, and is there considered one of
the best dessert apples. Along with the Newtown Pippin it ranks as
one of the most productive and profitable orchard fruits, but like
many, and indeed almost all the best American varieties, it does not
attain to that degree of perfection in this country that it does in its
native soil. The tree is tender and subject to canker, and the fruit
lacks that high flavor, and peculiar richness which characterizes the
imported specimens. It was raised at Esopus, on the Hudson, where it is
still grown to a large extent.
114. ESSEX PIPPIN.--Hort.
IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 239.
Fruit, small; round and flattened, somewhat oblate. Skin, smooth, green
at first, but becoming of a yellowish-green as it ripens, and with a
faint tinge of thin red where exposed to the sun. Eye, open, with long,
reflexed, acuminate segments, placed in a shallow basin. Stalk, three
quarters of an inch long, slender, inserted in a round and even cavity.
Flesh, yellowish, firm, and crisp, with a brisk, sugary, and rich
flavor.
A dessert apple of first-rate quality, nearly allied to the Golden
Pippin; it is in use from October to February.
115. FAIR MAID OF TAUNTON.--Hort.
IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, p. 15
Fruit, small, two inches and a quarter wide, and an inch and three
quarters high; ovato-oblate, and rather irregularly formed. Skin,
smooth and shining, thick and membranous, of a pale straw color, and
with a faint of red on the side exposed to the sun; thickly strewed
all over with small russety dots. Eye, somewhat closed, with broad,
flat segments, which are reflexed at the tips, and set in a shallow
and plaited basin. Stalk, very short, inserted in a wide cavity, which
is lined with rough brown russet. Flesh, yellowish-white, tender, very
juicy, sweet, and though not richly yet pleasantly flavored.
A dessert apple, but not of the first quality; in use from November to
February.
116. FAIR’S NONPAREIL.--Hort.
IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 469.
Fruit, small, two inches and a quarter broad, and two inches high;
ovate, even, and regularly shaped. Skin, tender, of a bright green
color at first, but changing as it attains maturity, to a fine clear
yellow without any tinge of red. Eye, closed, set in a shallow, and
finely plaited basin. Stalk, inserted in a pretty deep cavity, which
has sometimes a fleshy protuberance on one side of it. Flesh, fine,
firm, crisp, and juicy, with a rich, refreshing, sugary, and vinous
flavor.
A dessert apple of first-rate quality, in use from November to February.
117. FAMAGUSTA.--Hort.