Part 21

This neat and very valuable little apple, was introduced to notice about the beginning of the present century, by the late Mr. Andrew Siely, of Norwich, who had it growing in his garden on the Castle Ditches, and being a favorite with him he always called it the “Pride of the Ditches.” The tree is a weak grower and somewhat tender. It is therefore advisable to graft it on the doucin stock, and train it either as a dwarf or as an espalier in a garden.--_Lindley._

332. SIR WILLIAM GIBBON’S.--Hort.

Fruit, very large, three inches and three quarters wide, and three inches high; calville-shaped, being roundish-oblate, with several prominent angles, which extend from the base to the apex, where they terminate in five or six large unequal knobs. Skin, deep yellow, tinged with green, and strewed with minute russety dots on the shaded side; but deep crimson, streaked with dark red, on the side exposed to the sun. Eye, open, with short ragged segments, set in a deep, wide, and irregular basin. Stalk, very short, imbedded in a deep and angular cavity, which is lined with russet. Flesh, yellowish-white, crisp, juicy, and slightly acid, with a pleasant vinous flavor.

A very showy and excellent culinary apple, in use from November to January.

333. SLEEPING BEAUTY.--H.

SYNONYMES.--Winter Sleeping Beauty. Sleeper.

Fruit, medium sized; roundish, and somewhat flattened, slightly angular on the sides, and undulating round the eye; in some specimens there is an inclination to an ovate, or conical shape, in which case the apex is narrow and even. Skin, pale straw-colored, smooth and shining, occasionally washed on one side with delicate lively red, very thinly sprinkled with minute russety dots. Eye, large, somewhat resembling that of Trumpington, with broad, flat, and incurved segments, which dove-tail, as it were, to each other, and set in a shallow, uneven, and plaited basin. Stalk, from a quarter to half-an-inch long, slightly fleshy, inserted in a narrow, round, and rather shallow cavity, which is tinged with green, and lined with delicate pale brown russet. Flesh, yellowish-white, crisp, tender, and juicy, with a fine poignant and agreeably acid flavor.

A most excellent, and very valuable apple for all culinary purposes; and particularly for sauce. It is in use from November till the end of February.

The tree is a most excellent bearer, and succeeds well in almost every situation.

This excellent apple bears such a close resemblance to Dumelow’s Seedling, that at first sight it may be taken for that variety; from which however, it is perfectly distinct, and may be distinguished by the want of the characteristic russet dots on the fruit, and the spots on the young wood of the tree. It is extensively cultivated in Lincolnshire, for the supply of the Boston markets.

334. SMALL STALK.--H.

Fruit, medium sized, two inches and a half wide, and two inches high; roundish, slightly angular on the sides, and knobbed at the apex. Skin, dull greenish-yellow, with a tinge of orange on the side next the sun, and thickly covered with redish brown dots. Eye, small, and closed with long flat segments, and placed in an angular basin. Stalk, about an inch long, slender, inserted in a wide and rather shallow cavity. Flesh, white, tender, juicy, and well flavored.

A good apple for ordinary purposes, much grown about Lancaster. It is in use during September and October.

335. SOMERSET LASTING.--Hort.

IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 2, n. 782.

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

Fruit, large, three inches and a quarter wide, and two inches and a quarter high; oblate, irregular on the sides, and with undulating ridges round the eye. Skin, pale yellow, streaked, and dotted with a little bright crimson, next the sun. Eye, large and open, with short stunted segments, placed in a wide and deep basin. Stalk, short, inserted in a wide and deep cavity, which is lined with russet. Flesh, yellowish, tender, crisp, very juicy, with a poignant, and somewhat harsh flavor.

A culinary apple, in use from October to February.

336. SOPS IN WINE.--Park.

IDENTIFICATION.--Park. Par. 588. Raii. Hist. ii. 1447.

SYNONYMES.--Sops of Wine, _Hort. Soc. Cat._ ed. 3, n. 874. _Lind. Guide_, 34. _Down. Fr. Amer._ 77. Sapson, _Ken. Amer. Or._ 28. Sapsonvine, _acc. Kenrick_.

FIGURE.--Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. ii. f. 4.

Fruit, rather above medium size, two inches and three quarters broad, and the same in height; roundish, but narrowing a little towards the eye, and slightly ribbed on the sides. Skin, covered with a delicate white bloom, which when rubbed off exhibits a smooth, shining, and varnished rich deep chestnut, almost approaching to black, on the side exposed to the sun; but on the shaded side, it is of a light orange red, and where very much shaded quite yellow, the whole strewed with minute dots. Eye, small, half open, with long, broad, and reflexed segments, placed in a round and slightly angular basin. Stalk, half-an-inch long, inserted in a deep funnel-shaped cavity. Flesh, red, as if sopped in wine, tender, sweet, juicy, and pleasantly flavored.

A very ancient English culinary and cider apple; but perhaps more singular than useful. It is in use from October to February.

The tree is vigorous and spreading, very hardy, an excellent bearer, and not subject to canker.

337. SPICE APPLE.--Diel.

IDENTIFICATION--Diel Kernobst. x. 34.

Fruit, medium sized, two inches and a half broad, and two and a quarter high; roundish, but narrowing towards the eye. Skin, deep yellow, but marked with broad streaks of crimson on the side next the sun. Eye, open, with long, broad, reflexed, downy segments, set in a narrow, shallow, and plaited basin. Stalk, short, inserted in a round cavity, which is lined with russet. Flesh, yellow, firm, crisp, brisk, and perfumed.

A good second-rate dessert apple, in use from November to February.

This is not the Spice Apple of the Horticultural Society’s Catalogue, but one which was cultivated by Kirke, of Brompton, under that name, and so described by Diel.--_See Aromatic Russet._

338. SPITZEMBERG.--Booth Cat.

IDENTIFICATION AND FIGURE.--Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. i. f. 5.

SYNONYME.--Pomegranate Pippin, _acc. Ron. Pyr. Mal._

Fruit, medium sized, two inches and a half broad, and two inches high; roundish, flattened at the base, and narrowing a little towards the eye. Skin, deep yellow, with an orange tinge on the side exposed to the sun, and strewed with large stelloid russety specks. Eye, partially open, with long, broad, and erect segments, set in a narrow and shallow basin. Stalk, short and stout, inserted in a small narrow cavity. Flesh, tender, juicy, sweet, and pleasantly flavored.

An apple of second-rate quality, in use from November to Christmas.

This is the Spitzemberg of the German nurseries.

339. SPRINGROVE CODLIN.--Hort.

IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Trans. vol. i. p. 197. t. 11. Lind. Guide, 7. Rog. Fr. Cult. 65.

FIGURE.--Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. iii. f. 4. Hort. Trans.

Fruit, above medium size, three inches wide at the base, and two inches and three quarters high; conical, and slightly angular on the sides. Skin, pale greenish-yellow, tinged with orange on the side exposed to the sun. Eye, closed, with broad segments, and set in a narrow, plaited basin. Stalk, short, inserted in a rather deep cavity. Flesh, greenish-yellow, tender, juicy, sugary, brisk, and slightly perfumed.

A first-rate culinary apple. It may be used for tarts, as soon as the fruit are the size of a walnut, and continues in use up to the beginning of October. It received the name of Springrove Codlin, from being first introduced by Sir Joseph Banks, Bart., who resided at Springrove, near Hounslow, Middlesex.

340. SQUIRE’S GREENING.--H.

Fruit, about medium size; roundish and flattened, irregular in its outline, having sometimes very prominent, unequal, and obtuse angles, on the sides, which terminate in undulations round the eye. Skin, of a fine clear grass-green color, which it retains till the spring, covered with dull brownish-red where exposed to the sun, thinly strewed all over with minute dots. Eye, small and closed, inserted in a narrow, irregular, and plaited basin. Stalk, short and slender, inserted in a round, narrow, and deep cavity, which is lined with rough scaly russet. Flesh, yellowish-white, firm and crisp, with a brisk, somewhat sugary and pleasant flavor.

A good culinary apple, and useful also as a dessert variety. It is in use from Christmas till April or May.

This variety was raised on the property of Mrs. Squires, of Nigtoft, near Sleaford.

341. STEAD’S KERNEL.--Knight.

IDENTIFICATION.--Pom. Heref. t. 25. Lind. Guide, 112.

Fruit, a little turbinate, or top-shaped, somewhat resembling a quince. Eye, small, flat, with a short truncate or covered calyx. Stalk, short. Skin, yellow, a little reticulated with a slight greyish russet, and a few small specks intermixed.

Specific gravity of the juice, 1074.

As a cider apple, this appears to possess great merit, combining a slight degree of astringency, with much sweetness. It ripens in October, and is also a good culinary apple during its season. It was raised from seed by Daniel Stead, Esq., Brierly, near Leominster, Herefordshire.--_Knight & Lindley._

342. STIRZAKER’S EARLY SQUARE.--H.

Fruit, below medium size; roundish, with prominent ribs which run into the eye, forming sharp ridges at the crown. Skin, of an uniform pale yellow, freckled and mottled, with very thin dingy brown russet on the shaded side, and, completely covered with the same on the side next the sun. Eye, small, half open, set in an irregular and angular basin. Stalk, very short, imbedded in a deep cavity. Flesh, white, tender, juicy, and pleasantly flavored.

An early apple, grown in the neighbourhood of Lancaster. It is ripe in August, and continues in use during September.

343. STRIPED BEEFING.--H.

SYNONYMES.--Striped Beaufin. Lind. Guide, 57.

[Illustration]

Fruit, of the largest size; beautiful and handsome, roundish, and somewhat depressed. Skin, bright lively green, almost entirely covered with broken streaks, and patches of fine deep red, and thickly strewed with russety dots; in some specimens the color extends almost entirely round the fruit. Eye, like that of the Blenheim Pippin, large and open, with short erect ragged segments, set in a deep, irregular, and angular basin. Flesh, yellowish, firm, crisp, juicy, and pleasantly acid.

One of the handsomest and best culinary apples in cultivation; for baking it is unrivalled. It is in use from October till May.

The tree is very hardy, and an excellent bearer.

This noble apple was introduced by Mr. George Lindley, who found it growing in 1794, in the garden of William Crowe, Esq., at Lakenham near Norwich. He measured a specimen of the fruit, and found it twelve inches and a half in circumference, and weighing twelve ounces and a half, avoirdupoise. It does not seem ever to have been in general cultivation, as it is not mentioned in any of the nursery catalogues; nor is it enumerated in that of the London Horticultural Society. Through the kindness of George Jefferies, Esq., of Marlborough Terrace, Kensington, who procured it from his residence in Norfolk, I had the good fortune in 1847, to obtain grafts, which when propagated, I distributed through several of the principal nurseries of the country, and by this means I trust, it will become more generally known, and universally cultivated.

344. STRIPED MONSTROUS REINETTE.--Hort.

IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, p. 37. Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. xxxvi. f. 1.

Fruit, large, three inches and a half broad, and three inches high; roundish, and a little flattened, irregular in its outline, having prominent angles on the sides, which extend from the base to the apex. Skin, smooth, of a deep yellow-ground color, which is almost entirely covered with pale red, and streaked with broad stripes of dark crimson. Eye, closed, with long acuminate segments, set in a narrow, angular basin. Stalk, an inch long, slender, deeply inserted in a round, and russety cavity. Flesh, white, tender, juicy, and pleasantly flavored.

A culinary apple of second-rate quality. It is in use during November and December.

345. STURMER PIPPIN.--Hort.

IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 808. Down. Fr. Amer, 135. Gard. Chron. 1847, 135.

[Illustration]

Fruit, below medium size, two inches and a quarter broad, by one inch and three quarters high; roundish, and somewhat flattened, and narrowing towards the apex, a good deal resembling the old Nonpariel. Skin, of a lively green color, changing to yellowish-green, as it attains maturity, and almost entirely covered with brown russet, with a tinge of dull red, on the side next the sun. Eye, small, and closed, set in a shallow, irregular, and angular basin. Stalk, three quarters of an inch long, straight, inserted in a round, even, and russety cavity. Flesh, yellow, firm, crisp, very juicy, with a brisk and rich sugary flavor.

This is perhaps the most valuable dessert apple of its season, it is of first-rate excellence; and exceedingly desirable both on account of its delicious flavor, and arriving at perfection, at a period when the other favorite varieties are past. It is not fit for use till the Ribston Pippin is nearly gone, and continues long after the Nonpariel. The period of its perfection may be fixed from February to June.

The Sturmer Pippin, was raised by Mr. Dillistone, a nurseryman at Sturmer, near Haverhill, in Suffolk, and was obtained by impregnating the Ribston Pippin, with the pollen of the Nonpareil.

The tree is hardy and an excellent bearer, and attains about the middle size.

346. SUGAR AND BRANDY.--H.

Fruit, medium sized, two inches and three quarters broad at the bulge, and the same in height; conical, and angular, with a very prominent rib on one side, forming a high ridge at the apex, terminated at the apex, by a number of knobs which are the continuations of the costal angles. Skin, deep dull yellow, freckled with pale red on the shaded side, the remaining portion entirely covered with bright orange-red. Eye, small and closed, set in a deep and furrowed basin. Stalk, very short, inserted in a round and shallow cavity, which is lined with rough russet. Flesh, deep yellow, spongy, juicy, very sweet, so much so, as to be sickly.

An apple grown about Lancashire, in use during the end of August and September.

347. SUGAR-LOAF PIPPIN.--Hort.

IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 811. Lind. Guide, 10. Down. Fr. Amer. 76.

SYNONYMES.--Hutching’s Seedling, _acc. Pom. Mag._ Dolgoi Squoznoi, in Russia, _acc. Pom. Mag._

FIGURE.--Pom. Mag. t. 3.

Fruit, above medium size, two inches and three quarters wide, and three inches high; oblong. Skin, clear pale yellow, becoming nearly white, when fully ripe. Eye, set in a rather deep and plaited basin. Stalk, an inch long, inserted in a deep and regular cavity. Flesh, white, firm, crisp, juicy, brisk, and pleasantly flavored.

An excellent early culinary apple of first-rate quality; ripe in the beginning of August, but in a few days becomes mealy.

This variety was introduced from St. Petersburg, by the London Horticultural Society.

348. SUMMER BROAD-END.--H.

SYNONYMES.--Summer Broadend, _Lind. Guide_, 24. Summer Colman, _Lind. Plan. Or._ 1796.

Fruit, above the middle size, about two inches and three quarters in diameter, and two inches and a quarter deep; slightly angular on the sides. Eye, small, with a closed calyx, in a rather narrow basin, surrounded by some angular plaits. Stalk, short, slender, deeply inserted, not protruding beyond the base. Skin, dull yellowish-green, tinged on the sunny side, with pale dull brown. Flesh, greenish-white, not crisp. Juice, sub-acid, with a pretty good flavor.

A culinary apple in use in October and November. This is an useful Norfolk apple, and known in the markets by the above name. The trees are rather small growers, but great bearers.--_Lindley._

I have never seen the Summer Broad-End, and have therefore here introduced the description of Mr. Lindley, for the benefit of those under whose observation it may fall.

349. SUMMER GOLDEN PIPPIN.--Hort.

IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 290. Lind. Guide, 7. Down. Fr. Amer, 77. Rog. Fr. Cult. 78.

SYNONYMES.--Summer Pippin, _acc. Hort. Soc. Cat._ White Summer Pippin, _Ron. Pyr. Mal._ 11.

FIGURES.--Pom. Mag. t. 50. Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. vi. f. 4.

[Illustration]

Fruit, below medium size, two inches and a quarter broad at the base, and two inches and a quarter high; ovate, flattened at the ends. Skin, smooth and shining, pale yellow, on the shaded side; but tinged with orange and brownish-red on the side next the sun, and strewed over with minute russety dots. Eye, open, set in a wide, shallow, and slightly plaited basin. Stalk, thick, a quarter of an inch long, completely imbedded in a moderately deep cavity, which is lined with russet. Flesh, yellowish, firm, very juicy, with a rich, vinous, and sugary flavor.

This is one of the most delicious summer apples, and ought to form one of every collection, however small. It is ripe in the end of August, and keeps about a fortnight.

The tree is a small grower, and attains about the third size. It is an early and abundant bearer, and succeeds well when grafted on the doucin or paradise stock. When grown on the pomme paradis of the French, it forms a beautiful little tree, which can be successfully cultivated in pots.

350. SUMMER PEARMAIN.--Park.

IDENTIFICATION.--Park. Par. 587. Aust. Or. 54. Raii. Hist. ii. 1447. Mill. Dict. Fors. Treat. ed. 7, 126. Lind. Guide, 34. Rog. Fr. Cult. 72.

SYNONYMES.--Autumn Pearmain, _Hort. Soc. Cat._ ed. 3, n. 531. American Pearmain, _acc. Hort. Soc. Cat._ Gestreifte Sommerparmäne. Drue Summer Pearmain. Diel Kernobst. vi. 129.

FIGURES.--Pom. Mag., t. 116. Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. xxii. f. 1.

Fruit, medium sized, two inches and three quarters wide at the base, and the same high; conical, or abrupt pearmain-shaped, round at the base, and tapering towards the apex. Skin, yellow, streaked all over with large patches, and broken streaks of red, mixed with silvery russet, strewed with numerous russety dots, and covered with large patches of rough russet on the base. Eye, closed, half open, with long acuminate segments, placed in a wide, shallow, and plaited basin. Stalk, half-an-inch long, obliquely inserted under a fleshy protuberance on one side of it, which is a permanent and distinguishing character of this apple. Flesh, deep yellow, firm, crisp, juicy, richly, and highly perfumed.

An excellent apple, long cultivated, and generally regarded as one of the popular varieties of this country, it is suitable either for culinary purposes, or the dessert, and is in use during September and October.

The tree is a good grower, and healthy; of an upright habit of growth, and forms a fine standard tree of the largest size. It succeeds well grafted on the paradise stock, when it forms handsome espaliers, and open dwarfs.

This is what in many nurseries is cultivated as the _Royal Pearmain_, but erroneously. It is one of the oldest English varieties, being mentioned by Parkinson, in 1629.

351. SUMMER STRAWBERRY.

Fruit, rather below medium size, two and a half inches broad, and an inch and three quarters high; oblate, even and regularly formed. Skin, smooth and shining, striped all over with yellow, and blood-red stripes, except on any portion that is shaded, and there it is red. Eye, prominent, not at all depressed, closed with long flat segments, and surrounded with prominent plaits. Stalk, three quarters of an inch long, inserted in a round, narrow cavity, which is lined with russet. Flesh, white, tinged with yellow, soft, tender, juicy, brisk and pleasantly flavored.

A dessert apple, ripe in September, but when kept long becomes dry and mealy. It is much cultivated in all the Lancashire and northern orchards of England.

352. SURREY FLAT-CAP.--H.

Fruit, above medium size, three inches wide, and two inches and a quarter high; oblate, even and regularly formed. Skin, of a pale bluish-green, or verdigris color, changing as it ripens to a yellowish tinge, and marked with dots and flakes of rough veiny russet, on the shaded side; but deep red, which is almost obscured with rough veiny russet on the side next the sun. Eye, open, with broad segments, reflexed at the tips, set in a wide, shallow, and plaited basin. Stalk, half-an-inch long, inserted in a round and deep cavity. Flesh, yellow, firm, not very juicy, but rich and sugary.

A very excellent dessert apple, remarkable for its singular color, but is rather void of acidity. It is in use from October to January.

353. SWEENY NONPAREIL.--Hort.

IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Trans. vol. iv. 526. Lind. Guide, 99. Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 484.

Fruit, above medium size, two inches and three quarters broad, and two inches high; very similar in form to the old Nonpariel. Skin, of a fine lively green color, which is glossy and shining, but almost entirely covered with patches, and reticulations of thick greyish-brown russet, which in some parts is rough and cracked; sometimes tinged with brown where exposed to the sun. Eye, very small, half open, with short, flat, ovate segments, and set in a small, narrow, and rather shallow basin. Stalk, three quarters of an inch long, inserted in a rather shallow and russety cavity. Flesh, greenish-white, firm, crisp, sugary, and with a very powerful yet pleasant sub-acid flavor.

An excellent culinary apple admirably adapted for sauce; but too acid for the dessert. It is in use from January to April.

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

This variety was raised in 1807, by Thomas Netherton Parker, Esq., of Sweeny, in Shropshire, and twenty specimens of the fruit, were exhibited at the London Horticultural Society, in 1820, the aggregate weight of which, was seven pounds thirteen ounces.

354. SYKE HOUSE RUSSET.--Hooker.

IDENTIFICATION.--Hook. Pom. Lond. Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 752. Lind. Guide, 100. Fors. Treat. 126. Rog. Fr. Cult. 106.

SYNONYMES.--Sykehouse, _acc. Hort. Soc. Cat._ Englische Spitalsreinette, _Diel Kernobst._ x. 139.

FIGURES.--Hook. Pom. Lond. t. 40. Pom. Mag. t. 81. Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. xxxviii. f. 1.

[Illustration]

Fruit, below medium size, two inches and a quarter broad, by one inch and three quarters high; roundish-oblate. Skin, yellowish-green, but entirely covered with brown russet, strewed with silvery grey scales; sometimes it has a brownish tinge on the side which is exposed to the sun. Eye, small and open, set in a shallow basin. Stalk, half-an-inch long, inserted in a shallow cavity. Flesh, yellowish, firm, crisp, and juicy, with a rich, sugary, and very high flavor.

One of the most excellent dessert apples; it is in use from October to February.

The tree is a free grower, hardy, and an excellent bearer; it attains about the middle size, and is well adapted for growing as an espalier, when grafted on the paradise stock.

This variety originated at the village of Syke House, in Yorkshire, whence its name.

Diel’s nomenclature of the Syke House Russet, affords a good example of the transformations the names of fruits are subject to, when translated from one language to another; he writes it Englische Spitalsreinette, which he translates Sik-House Apple, because as he supposed it received this appellation, either from the briskness of its flavor being agreeable to invalids, or from its having originated in the garden of an hospital, He says he finds it only in Kirke’s Fruit Tree Catalogue, _where it is erroneously printed Syke-House_!

355. TARVEY CODLIN.--Hort.

IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Trans. vol. vii. p. 383. Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 167. Lind. Guide, 83.

Fruit, large and conical. Skin, dull olive-green, with an imperfect mixture of yellow on the shaded side, and yellowish-red, much spotted with broken rows of large blood-red dots, next the sun. Flesh, white and juicy, somewhat resembling the English Codlin.

A good culinary apple for a northern climate, in use during November and December.

This variety was raised from seed of the Manks Codlin, impregnated with the Nonpariel, by Sir. G. S. Mackenzie, Bart., of Coul, in Rosshire.

356. TAUNTON GOLDEN PIPPIN.--Hort.

IDENTIFICATION.--Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, p. 18.

FIGURE.--Maund. Fruit. pl. 21.