26 BRITISH POMOLOGY, ETC. 



9. API NOIR.— Duh. 



Identification. — Duh. Arb. Fr. I. 311. Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3. 

 Synonyme. — Schwarzer Api, Diel Kernohst. ix. 214. 

 FiGDRE.— Poit et. Turp. pi. 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, bvit 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. Fleslf, pure white, firm and juicy, tinged 

 with red under the skin, and with a pleasant, vinous, and slightly per- 

 fumed flavor. 



A dessert apple, inferior to the Api, and cultivated merely for curi- 

 osity. 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. 10.5. 

 FiGDRE. — Ron. Pyr. Mai. pi. 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.— I.ind. 



Identification.— Lind. Guide, 86. Eon. Pyr. Mai. 63, but cot of Hort. Soc. 



Cat. ed. 2. 

 Synonyme. — Dr. Ashmead's Kernel, in Gloucestershire. 

 Figure. — Ron. Pyr. Mai. pi, xxxii. f. 5. 



Fruit, below medium size; round and flattened, but sometimes consider- 

 ably elongated ; the general character, however, is shown in the accom- 

 panying figure. Skin, light greenish yellow, covered with yellowish brown 

 russet, and a tinge of broAvn next the sun. Eye, small and partially open, 

 placed in a moderately deep basin. Stalk, short, inserted in a round and 



