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Nonpareils, Pearmains, Pippins, and Reinettes, indiscriminately. 

 Though formerly the meaning of these terms may have been well 

 understood, this is not the case at the present time, and people do not 

 know how to distinguish one class from the other. The Codlin 

 section seems to have been kept more true than any other to a distinctive 

 type. The word was originally written codling, from coddle, to stew or 

 boil, in allusion to the value of this section for culinary purposes. 

 Nonpareil is a French word, meaning incomparable, but varieties to 

 which this term is applied have nothing to distinguish them from 

 Pippins or other classes. The term Pearmain means pear-shaped, and, 

 though appropriate to some of the kinds classed under the name, it is by 

 no means suitable for others. The term Pippin originally signified a 

 seedling, but now has lost that meaning, and is applied to varieties, 

 grafted or budded, that differ materially in characteristics. 



VARIETIES. 



There are an immense number of varieties in cultivation in fact, far 

 more than are required for practical purpose?. In Australasia we have a 

 large number, most of the leading European and American varieties 

 having been imported. Australasian growers have also been active in 

 producing new kinds, and our lists contain several superior colonial 

 varieties. As a matter of course, a great many varieties that have been 

 introduced are comparatively worthless, because other kinds have proved 

 to be superior to them. Many kinds alter materially from their 

 characteristics in Europe or America, some improving and others falling 

 off. Consequently, a correct estimate of the value of any variety cannot 

 be obtained from the description given by European or American writers. 

 Many of the British varieties have considerably more colour than when 

 grown in the United Kingdom, and to such an extent sometimes that 

 they are difficult to recognise under their original names. Though many 

 popular kinds have been originated within the last few years, yet there 

 are some sterling old sorts that can still hold their own. For instance, 

 the celebrated Ribston Pippin was raised in Yorkshire considerably more 

 than 100 years ago, and the equally famous Golden Pippin, which was 

 originated in Sussex, can claim to be older still. As regards the last- 

 named Apple, it is said that the Empress Catharine of Russia was so 

 passionately fond of this variety that she employed special messengers 

 to bring her supplies from England. 



QUALITIES REQUIRED IN APPLES. 



The qualities required in Apples must depend to some extent upon 

 the objects of the grower. Dessert Apples should not be above medium- 

 size, regular in form, well coloured, and the fruit must be firm, crisp, 

 juicy and pleasantly flavoured. Culinary or kitchen Apples should 

 possess the property of cooking evenly into a tender pulpy mass, those 

 having an acid flavour being the best. The terms, dessert and culinary 

 Apples, are somewhat arbitrary, as some of the finest flavoured of the 



