Part 4

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]

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

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

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

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

22. BEDFORDSHIRE FOUNDLING.--Hort.

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

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

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