Part 15

Fruit, rather below medium size; ovate or conical, slightly and obscurely ribbed about the eye. Skin, of an uniform, clear, pale, yellow, but with an orange tinge on the side next the sun, the whole surface thinly strewed with pale-brown russety dots. Eye, small and closed, with somewhat ovate segments, set in a narrow, shallow, and plaited basin. Stalk, stout, about a quarter of an inch long, inserted in a narrow, and shallow cavity. Flesh, yellowish-white, tender and delicate, juicy and sugary, with a rich aromatic flavor, resembling that of a pine apple.

A dessert apple of first-rate quality; it is in use from the beginning of October to Christmas.

This desirable apple was raised in the nursery of Messrs. Lucombe, Pince, & Co., of Exeter, and is well worthy of general cultivation.

216. LUCOMBE’S SEEDLING.--Hort.

IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 416. Lind. Guide, 52. Rog. Fr. Cult. 49.

FIGURES.--Pom. Mag. t. 109. Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. xiv. f. 3.

Fruit, large, three inches and a half wide, and two inches and three quarters high; roundish, and angular. Skin, pale greenish-yellow, strewed with dark dots, and imbedded green specks on the shaded side; but bright red, which is streaked with crimson, on the side next the sun. Eye, small and open, set in an angular and plaited basin. Stalk, short and thick, inserted in a rather deep cavity. Flesh, white, firm, juicy, and pleasantly flavored.

A culinary apple of first-rate quality; in use from October to February.

The tree is a strong and vigorous grower, attains a large size, and is an excellent and early bearer.

This variety as well as the preceeding was raised in the Exeter nursery.

217. MADELEINE.--Calvel.

IDENTIFICATION.--Calvel. Traité. iii. 24.

SYNONYMES.--Margaret, _Mill. Dict._ Summer Pippin, _acc. Hort. Soc. Cat._ ed. 3.

Fruit, rather below medium size; roundish. Skin, yellowish-white, with numerous imbedded pearly specks, with an orange tinge next the sun, and sometimes marked with faint streaks of red. Eye, small and closed, set in a narrow basin, and surrounded with several unequal plaits. Stalk, short and slender, not extending beyond the base, and inserted in a funnel-shaped cavity. Flesh, white, very crisp and tender, juicy, sugary, and highly flavored.

An early dessert apple, of good, but only second-rate quality; ripe in the middle and end of August.

The tree is a free grower, and is readily distinguished by the excessive pubescence of its leaves and shoots.

Mr. Lindley in the “Guide to the Orchard” considers this variety as identical with the Margaret of Ray, which is a mistake. It is no doubt the Margaret of Miller, but certainly not of any English author either preceeding, or subsequent to him. It is to be observed that the lists of fruits given by Miller in his Dictionary are chiefly taken from the works of the French pomologists, while the fruits of his own country are almost wholly neglected; and the only reason I can assign for him describing this variety for the Margaret is, because our own Margaret being by some authors called the _Magdalene_, he might have thought the two synonymous.--See Margaret.

218. MAIDEN’S BLUSH.--Coxe.

IDENTIFICATION.--Coxe, View, 106. Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 420. Fors. Treat. 213. Down. Fr. Amer. 90.

Fruit, large, three inches and a quarter wide, and two inches and a half high; roundish and flattened. Skin, of a fine, rich, pale-yellow color, tinged with a blush of beautiful red on the side exposed to the sun. Eye, pretty large and closed, set in a round, even, and rather deep basin, Stalk, short, inserted in a deep, and round cavity. Flesh, white, tender, brisk, and pleasantly acid.

A very beautiful culinary apple, but not of first-rate quality. It is in use during September and October.

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

This variety is of American origin. It is highly esteemed in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia, and considered one of the best culinary apples in America; it is also much used for drying, for which purpose it is considered the best. It is not however held in great repute in this country, its size and color being its chief recommendation.

219. MANKS CODLIN.--Hort.

IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Soc. Cat. 161. Lind. Guide, 32. Rog. Fr. Cult. 66.

SYNONYMES.--Irish Pitcher, _acc. Hort. Soc. Cat._ ed. 3. Irish Codlin, _Hort. Soc. Cat._ ed. 1, 178. Eve, _in Scotland_. Frith Pippin, _acc. Lind. Guide_.

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

Fruit, large; conical, and slightly angular. Skin, smooth, greenish-yellow at first, but changing as it ripens to clear pale-yellow, tinged with rich orange-red on the side next the sun; but sometimes, when fully exposed, assuming a clear bright-red cheek. Eye, small and closed, set in a small, plaited, and pretty deep basin. Stalk, three quarters of an inch long, more or less fleshy, sometimes straight, but generally obliquely inserted, and occasionally united to the fruit by a fleshy protuberance on one side of it. Flesh, yellowish-white, firm, brisk, juicy and slightly perfumed.

A very valuable early culinary apple, of first-rate quality. It is ripe in the beginning of August, and continues in use till November.

The tree is very hardy, and healthy, but not a large grower. It is a very early and abundant bearer, young trees in the nursery quarters generally producing a considerable quantity of fruit, when only two years old from the grafts. It is well suited for planting in exposed situations, and succeeds well in shallow soils. It forms a beautiful little tree when grafted on the paradise stock, and is well adapted for espalier training.

220. MANNINGTON’S PEARMAIN.--H.

[Illustration]

Fruit, medium sized; abrupt pearmain-shaped. Skin, of a rich golden-yellow color, covered with thin brown russet, on the shaded side; but covered with dull brownish-red, on the side next the sun. Eye, partially closed, with broad flat segments, set in a shallow and plaited basin. Stalk, three quarters of an inch long, obliquely inserted in a moderately deep cavity, with generally a fleshy protuberance on one side of it. Flesh, yellow, firm, crisp, juicy, and very sugary; with a brisk and particularly rich flavor.

This is one of the best and richest flavored of our dessert apples. It is only of recent introduction; but will no doubt, ere long, prove one of the most popular, as it is one of the most valuable varieties in its class; not only on account of its excellence, but for the long period during which it is in perfection; it comes into use in October and November, and continues in good condition till March.

A communication of some importance has been forwarded to me by Mr. Cameron of Uckfield, by whom this variety was first propagated. He says the fruit should be allowed to hang late on the tree before it is gathered, so as to secure its peculiar richness of flavor, and long period of duration; for if gathered too soon, it looses much of its fine richness and is very apt to shrivel.

The tree does not attain a large size, but is perfectly hardy, and an early and excellent bearer; young trees, only two or three years from the graft, producing a considerable crop of handsome, well-grown fruit.

This esteemed variety originated about the year 1770, in a garden now in the possession of Mr. Mannington, a respectable butcher at Uckfield in Sussex. At the time it was raised the garden belonged to Mr. Turley, a blacksmith, and grandfather of Mr. Mannington. The original tree grew up at the root of a hedge, where the refuse from a cider press had been thrown; it never attained any great size, but continued to preserve a stunted, and diminutive habit of growth, till it died about the year 1820. Previous to this, however, grafts had been freely distributed to persons in the neighbourhood, many of whom were anxious to possess such a desideratum; but it does not seem to have been known beyond its own locality, till the autumn of 1847, when Mr. Mannington caused specimens of the fruit to be forwarded to the London Horticultural Society, and by whom it was pronounced to be a dessert fruit of the highest excellence. It was designated by Mr. Thompson “Mannington’s Pearmain.”

221. MARGARET.--Rea.

IDENTIFICATION.--Rea. Pom. 209. Raii. Hist. ii. 1447. Lang. Pom. 134, t. lxxiv. fig. 1. Rog. Fr. Cult. 30. Fors. Treat. 114.

SYNONYMES.--Early Red Margaret, _Hort. Soc. Cat._ ed. 3, n. 425. _Lind. Guide_, 8. _Down. Fr. Amer._ 73. Early Red Juneating, _Hort. Soc. Cat._ ed. 1, 504. Red Juneating, _acc. Hort. Soc. Cat._ Striped Juneating, _Ibid._ ed. 1, 506. Early Striped Juneating, _Ibid._ Striped Quarrenden, _Ibid_, ed. 1, 823. Summer Traveller, _Ibid_, 1083. Eve Apple, _In Ireland, acc. Robertson in Hort. Trans._ iii. 452. Early Margaret, _acc. Hort. Soc. Cat._ Marget-Apple, _Meager. Eng. Gard._ Maudlin, _Switz. Fr. Gard._ 135. Magdalene, _Gibs. Fr. Gard._ 352. Marguerite, _acc. Hort. Soc. Cat._ Lammas, _acc. Fors. Treat._

FIGURES.--Pom. Mag. t. 46. Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. vi. f. 1.

[Illustration]

Fruit, medium sized; roundish-ovate, and narrowing towards the eye, where it is angular. Skin, greenish-yellow on the shaded side; but bright-red next the sun, striped all over with darker red, and strewed with grey russety dots. Eye, half open, and prominent; with long, broad, erect segments, surrounded with a number of puckered knobs. Stalk, short and thick, about half-an-inch long, inserted in a small, and shallow cavity. Flesh, greenish-white, brisk, juicy, and vinous, with a pleasant and very refreshing flavor.

A first-rate early dessert apple; it is ripe in the beginning of August, but does not keep long, being very liable to become meally. To have it in perfection, it is well to gather it a few days before it ripens on the tree, and thereby secure its juicy, and vinous flavor.

The tree does not attain a large size, being rather a small grower. It is a good bearer, more so than the Joanneting, and is quite hardy, except in light soils, when it is liable to canker. It is well adapted for growing as dwarfs, either for potting or being trained as an espalier, when grafted on the paradise, or pomme paradis stock.

This is a very old English apple. It is without doubt the Margaret of Rea, Worldige, Ray, and all our early pomologists except Miller; Mr. Lindley, however, is of a different opinion, for he believes the Margaret of Miller to be identical with that of Ray. That this variety is the Margaret of Rea, his description is sufficient evidence. “The _Margaret or Magdelen Apple_ is a fair and beautiful fruit, yellow, and thick striped with red, early ripe, of a delicate taste, sweet flavor, and best eaten off the tree.” Ray gives _no description_ of it, but it is only reasonable to suppose, that it is this variety he refers to, seeing it is the Margaret of all authors both immediately preceeding, and subsequent to him. And indeed in no instance is that of Miller noticed by any English author, but himself, anterior to Mr. Lindley.

222. MARGIL.--Hook.

IDENTIFICATION.--Hook. Pom. Lond. Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 428. Lind. Guide, 53. Down. Fr. Amer. 117. Thomp. in Gard. Chron. 1847, p. 116.

SYNONYMES.--Margill. _Fors. Treat._ 114. Rog. Fr. Cult. 48. Never Fail, _Hort. Soc. Cat._ ed. 1, 629. Munches Pippin, _Ibid._ 623. Small Ribston, _M.C.H.S._

FIGURES.--Hook. Pom. Lond. t. 33. Pom. Mag. t. 36. Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. xii. f. 4.

Fruit, small, two inches and an eighth wide, and the same in height; conical, distinctly five sided, with acute angles on the side, which terminate at the crown in five prominent ridges. Skin, orange, streaked with deep red, and covered on one side with patches of russet. Eye, small and closed, compressed as it were between the angles of the basin. Stalk, half-an-inch long, slender, and rather deeply inserted in a round, and russety cavity. Flesh, yellow, firm, juicy, rich, and sugary, with a powerful, and delicious aromatic flavor.

One of the finest dessert apples, a rival of the Ribston Pippin, excelling it in juiciness, and being of a better size for the dessert; it is in use from November to February.

The tree is quite hardy, and generally an abundant bearer, except in seasons when the bloom is injured by frosts, to which it is liable. It is of a small, and slender habit of growth, and is well adapted for growing as dwarfs, or espaliers, when grafted on the paradise stock.

There seems to be no record of this variety before the publication of the _Pomona Londonensis_, although it was known for many years previously. Rogers says, he saw a tree of it growing as an espalier in the garden at Sheen, which was planted by Sir William Temple. I find it was cultivated to a considerable extent in the Brompton Park nursery, so early as 1750; it must therefore have been well known at that period; but I cannot discover any trace of its origin. It may have been introduced from the continent by George London who was for some years in the gardens at Versailles under De Quintinye, and afterwards in partnership with Henry Wise as proprietor of the Brompton Park nursery, as the name seems to indicate more of French than English origin.

223. MARMALADE PIPPIN.--Hort.

IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 429. Diel Kernobst. i. B. 23.

SYNONYMES.--Althorp Pippin, _Hort. Soc. Cat._ ed. 1, 8. Welsh Pippin, _acc. Ron. Pyr. Mal._

FIGURE.--Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. xxviii. f. 3.

Fruit, medium sized, two inches and a half wide, and two inches and three quarters high; oblong, with a prominent rib on one side, and flattened at the apex, where it terminates in several prominences. Skin, very thick, hard, and membranous; deep yellow, with a brownish tinge next the sun, and strewed with numerous imbedded pearly specks. Eye, small and open, with long acuminate and reflexed segments, set in a deep, and angular basin. Stalk, half-an-inch long, inserted in a deep, and smooth cavity. Flesh, yellowish-white, firm and tender, sweet, juicy, and pleasantly flavored.

A culinary apple, but only of second-rate quality; it is in use from October to January.

The tree is hardy and an abundant bearer.

This variety was introduced in 1818--the year in which the original tree first produced fruit--by a Mr. Stevens of Stanton Grange, in Derbyshire, by whom it was raised from a seed of the Keswick Codling. The Marmalade Pippin of Diel which is described in the 22 vol. and which he says is an English apple, is not the same as the above, for he describes it as “a true streaked apple, and ripe in August”.

224. MARTIN NONPAREIL.--Hort.

IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Trans. vol. iii. p. 456. Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 475. Lind. Guide, 91. Rog. Fr. Cult. 68.

FIGURE.--Pom. Mag. t. 79.

Fruit, below medium size; ovate, and angular on the sides. Skin, pale yellow, sprinkled with yellowish-brown russet. Eye, large and open, set in an angular basin. Stalk, short and thick. Flesh, yellow, firm, rich, juicy and sugary.

An excellent dessert apple, but equal to the old Nonpareil; consequently can only be regarded as a second-rate variety; it is in use from December to March.

The tree is a vigorous grower, hardy and a good bearer.

This apple was received from a nursery, as a crab stock, by the Rev. George Williams of Martin-Hussingtree, near Worcester, and after producing fruit, was communicated by him to the London Horticultural Society.

225. MELA CARLA.--Gallesio.

IDENTIFICATION.--Gallesio Pom, Ital. vol. i. p. 1.

SYNONYMES.--Male Carle, _Hort. Soc. Cat._ ed. 3, n. 424. _Down. Fr. Amer._ 116. Malcarle, _Lind. Guide_, 52. Pomme Malecarle, _Cal. Traité_. iii. 63. Mela di Carlo, _acc. Hort. Soc. Cat._ Pomme de Charles, _Ibid._ Pomme Carl, _Ibid._ Pomme Finale, _Ibid._ Charles Apple, _acc. Hort. Trans._ vol. vii. p. 259. Der Malacarle, _Diel Kernobst._ xxi. 35.

FIGURES.--Galles. Pom. Ital. vol. i. t. 1. Hort. Trans. vol. vii. t. 7.

Fruit, medium sized, two inches and three quarters wide, and the same in height; roundish, inclining to ovate, narrowing a little towards the eye, but generally of an ovate shape. Skin, thin and tender, pale green at first, changing as it ripens to fine delicate waxen-yellow, on the shaded side; but covered with fine dark crimson, on the side next the sun. Eye, small and closed, with long acuminate segments, and set in a pretty wide, and deep basin, which is sometimes a little ribbed. Stalk, three quarters of an inch long, inserted in a small, and smooth cavity. Flesh, white with a greenish tinge, very delicate, juicy, and tender, with a sweet and vinous flavor, and a perfume like that of roses.

A dessert apple, which, when in perfection, is of the most exquisite flavor, but being indigenous to a warmer climate, it does not attain its full maturity in this country. By the aid of a south wall, in a warm and sheltered situation, it may however be brought to some degree of perfection. At Elvaston Castle, Mr. Barron has successfully cultivated it upon earthen mounds, with an inclination to the sun, of 45°. When in perfection, its flesh is said to be as melting as that of the Beurré, and Doyenné pears; it is in use from December to March.

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

This apple is of Italian origin, and is extensively cultivated about Turin. Its name is by some supposed to have been given in honor of Charlemagne, who is said to have held this fruit in high estimation.

226. MELROSE.--H.

SYNONYME.--White Melrose, _Hort. Soc. Cat._ ed. 3, p. 25.

[Illustration]

Fruit, large; roundish-ovate, inclining to conical, and broad at the base; it has an irregularity in its outline, caused by prominent ribs, which extend from about the middle, to the basin of the eye, where they form large and unequal ridges; and also by several flattened parts on the sides, giving it the appearance as if indented by a blow. Skin, smooth and shining, pale yellow tinged with green, on the shaded side; but yellow tinged with orange, and marked with crimson spots and dots, on the side exposed to the sun. Eye, large and closed, with broad flat segments, and deeply set in a plaited, and prominently ribbed basin. Stalk, very short, not more than a quarter of an inch long, inserted in a deep, irregular cavity, in which are a few streaks and patches of rough russet. Flesh, yellowish-white, firm, but tender and marrow-like, with a sweet, and pleasantly sub-acid flavor.

A very valuable and fine looking apple, of first-rate quality, suitable either for culinary purposes or the dessert; it is in use from October to January.

The tree is a strong, healthy, and vigorous grower, and forms a large round head. It is also an abundant and free bearer.

This is an old Scotch apple, the cultivation of which is confined exclusively to the Border counties, where it was probably first introduced by the monks of Melrose Abbey. Though it is one of the most popular apples of the Tweedside orchards, it does not seem to have been ever known beyond its own district. It is without doubt the largest, and one of the most useful apples of which Scotland can boast, and requires only to be more generally known, to be cultivated throughout the length and breadth of that country. Even in the south it is not to be disregarded, as both in size, and quality, it is one of the most attractive market apples. I have known them sold at two shillings a dozen. The figure given above is only from a medium-sized specimen of the fruit.

227. MERE DE MENAGE.--Hort.

IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 436.

Fruit, very large; conical. Skin, red, streaked with darker red all over, except a little on the shaded side where it is yellow. Eye, set in an angular basin. Stalk, very stout, inserted in a deep cavity, so much so as to be scarcely visible. Flesh, firm, crisp, brisk and juicy.

A valuable and very beautiful culinary apple of first-rate quality; in use from October to January.

228. MINCHALL CRAB.--Fors.

IDENTIFICATION.--Fors. Treat. 115. Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 440. Lind. Guide, 54. Rog. Fr. Cult. 58.

SYNONYMES.--Minshul Crab, _Hort. Soc. Cat._ ed. 1. 609. Mincham’s Crab, _Brook. Pom. Brit._ Lancashire Crab, _Ibid._ 536. Lancaster Crab, _Ibid._ 539.

FIGURES.--Brook. Pom. Brit. pl. xciii. f. 2. Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. xxxiii. f. 4.

Fruit, above medium size, three inches wide, and two inches and a half high; roundish, and considerably flattened, almost oblate. Skin, yellow, covered with dark dots, and a few veins of russet; russety over the base, and marked with a few broken stripes and mottles of pale crimson on the side next the sun. Eye, large and open, with short, and ragged segments, set in a wide, shallow, and plaited basin. Stalk, half-an-inch long, inserted in a rather shallow cavity. Flesh, white, firm, crisp, and juicy, with a rough, and sharp acid flavor.

A culinary apple, but only of second-rate quality; it is in use from November to March.

The tree is very hardy, and is not subject to canker, or the attacks of insects. It is an abundant bearer.

This apple is extensively grown in the southern parts of Lancashire, and is a great favorite in the Manchester market, and all the other manufacturing towns of that district. It receives its name from the village of Minchall in Cheshire, where, according to Rogers, the original tree existed in 1777.

229. MINIER’S DUMPLING.--Hort.

IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Trans. vol. i. 70. Fors. Treat. 114. Lind. Guide, 54.

Fruit, large, from three to three inches and a half wide, and nearly the same in height; roundish, somewhat flattened and angular on the sides. Skin, dark green, striped with darker green on the shaded side; but covered with dark red where exposed to the sun. Stalk, an inch long, rather thick, inserted in a rather deep cavity. Flesh, firm, juicy, sub-acid and pleasantly flavored.

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

The tree is a strong grower, hardy, and an excellent bearer.

230. MITCHELSON’S SEEDLING.--H.

[Illustration]

Fruit, above the medium size; somewhat ovate. Skin, of a fine deep yellow, thinly strewed with minute brown dots, interspersed with slight patches of very delicate russet; but faintly mottled with clear red, on the side exposed to the sun. Eye, large and open, with short stunted segments, and set in a rather deep, and plaited basin. Stalk, very short, inserted in a round, and even cavity, which is tinged with green, and lined with fine delicate grey russet. Flesh, yellowish, firm, crisp, brisk, very juicy and vinous, abounding in a rich and agreeable perfume.

A very excellent apple, suitable either for culinary purposes, or the dessert; it is in use from December to February.

This beautiful apple, was raised by Mr. Mitchelson, a market gardener at Kingston-on-Thames.

231. MONKLAND PIPPIN.--Hort.

IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 442.

Fruit, small, two inches wide, and the same in height; oval, even, and regularly formed, with five obscure ribs round the eye. Skin, green, becoming yellow as it attains maturity, marked with imbedded green specks, and numerous very minute dots. Eye, half open, set in a round, and plaited basin. Stalk, three quarters of an inch long, slender, and inserted in a round, narrow cavity, which is lined with rough russet. Flesh, greenish-white, soft and juicy, but with little or no flavor.

An apple of which it is difficult to say to what use it is applicable, having nothing whatever to recommend it; it is ripe in November.

232. MONKTON.--H.