Dwarf Apples. 387 



most highly flavored varieties then grown, and according to 

 Champier, who lived about a hundred years later, it was identical 

 with two of the best varieties grown in his day. The first pub- 

 lished account of the fruit, according to Koch, appeared in Jean 

 de Ruelle's " De Natura stirpium, libri tres." This fruit was of a 

 red color on the side exposed to the sun,* and for this reason 

 could not have been identical with other forms classed in the 

 group. 



The Doucin apple. — The introduction of the Doucin stock can 

 be traced with more accuracy than that of the Paradise. Ac- 

 cording to Koch,t " It appears that the Doucin is of Italian ori- 

 gin and was first brought to notice by Agostino Gallo during the 

 first century following the middle ages [probably the 16th cen- 

 tury.] He mentioned two forms, Dolciano nano and Dolciano 

 Mezzano, meaning the dwarf and the semi-dwarf sweet-apple. 

 We do not know when the Doucin was brought to France, but 

 it was probably introduced soon after it became known in Italy." 

 The time of its first use in England is also a matter of doubt, 

 and judging from the writings of Philip Miller, it does not ap- 

 pear to have retained its original name. (See page 386.) Yet 

 Parkinson briefly mentions it: J ''The Deusan or apple John is 

 a delicate fine fruit, well relished when it beginneth to be fit 

 to be eaten, and endureth good longer than any other apple." 



The Doucin is a stronger growing stock than the French 

 Paradise, forming a bush or small tree intermediate between the 

 latter and a standard tree. It also is said to have the power of 

 throwing out underground stems or suckers, although it does 

 not have stolons, and it may be propagated from cuttings of 

 ripened wood. The wood is more or less covered with fine hairs, 

 or tomentum. The fruit resembles the Paradise in size, but the 

 color is more red, especially on the sunny side. The sweet flavor 

 has caused it to receive its common name, Doucin. 



Koch statesjj that the plant apparently grows wild in south- 

 eastern Russia, where it forms thickets, especially in the region 

 of the lower Don and Danube rivers. It was called Pyrus prae- 



* Bauhiu, " Historia Plaiitarum" i. 18. 

 t "Die Deutsche!] Obstgeliolze," 66. 

 t "Paradisus Terrestris," 1629, 587. 

 II Die Deutsclien Obstgeliolze. 65. 



