THE APPLE. ITS VARIETIES. 53 



64. CATS HE AD.— Ray. 



Idkntification. — Rail Hist. ii. 1447, n. 8. Liad. Guide, 65. Down. Pr, ^Vmer. 

 103. Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 130. 



Synonyme. — Cat's Head, Fors. Treat. 97. 



Fruit, large, three inches and a quarter broad, and the same in height ; 

 oblong, nearly as broad at the apex as at the base, with prominent ribs 

 on the sides, which extend into the basin of the eye, and terminate in 

 several knobs. Skin, smooth and unctuous, pale green ; but with a 

 brownish tinge next the sun, and strewed with minute russety dots. 

 Eye, large and open, set in a large, angular, and rather deep basin. 

 Stalk, short, and slender for the size of the fruit, inserted in a shallow 

 and angular cavity. Flesh, tender, juicy, and sweet» with a pleasant, 

 acid, and slightly perfumed flavor. 



One of our oldest and best culinary apples ; it is in use from October 

 to January, 



The tree is a strong and vigorous grower, and attains the largest size, 

 and though not an abundant bearer during the early period of its growth, 

 it is much more productive as it becomes aged. 



In the Horticultural Society's Catalogue of Fruits, and also in Lindley's 

 Guide to the Orchard." This is made synonymous with the Costard of 

 Ray, which is undoubtedly an error, the Costard being a distinct variety. 



The Catshead is one of our oldest varieties, and was always highly 

 esteemed for its great size. Phillips, in his poem on Cyder, says — 



Why should we sing the Thrift, 



Codling or Pomroy, or of pimpled coat 

 The Russet, or the Cat's-Head's weighty orb, 

 Enormous in its growth, for various use 

 Tho' these are meet, tho' after full repast. 

 Are oft requir'd, and crown the rich dessert." 



In Ellis's " Modern Husbandman," he says the Catshead is, " a very 

 useful apple to the farmer, because one of them pared and wrapped 

 up in dough, serves with little trouble for making an apple-dumpling, so 

 much in request with the Kentish farmer, for being part of a ready 

 meal, that in the cheapest manner satiates the keen appetite of the hun- 

 gry plowman, both at home and in the field, and, therefore, has now got 

 into such reputation in Hertfordshire, and some other counties, that it is 

 become the most common food with a piece of bacon or pickle-pork for 

 families." 



65. CELLINI.— Hort. 



Identification. — Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 132. 



Fruit, rather above medium size ; roundish and flattened at both 

 ends. Skin, rich deep yellow, with spots and patches of lively red on 

 the shaded side ; and bright red streaked and mottled with dark crimson 

 next the sun, with here and there a tinge of yellow breaking through. 

 Eye, large and open, with short, acute, and reflexed segments, and set 

 in a shallow and slightly plaited basin. Stalk, very short, inserted in a 



