APPLES. 28 



This derives its name from the parish of Birdstow, near Ross, Herefordshire, 

 nd is called " the Wasp Apple," because these insects are so fond of it. The 

 skin is greasy when handled, and leaves the apple scent on the hands. 



BIRMINGHAM PIPPIN (GnnnnsCs Pippin.; nnunm.i,^ /'/>/>! n ; 

 <i niwHiHii,' rijijdn ; Stnif 7V/'/*m). Fruit, small, two inches and a 

 -quarter wide, and an inch and three-quarters high ; round, and slightly 

 flattened. Skin, pale dingy yellow, mottled and veined with very thin 

 grey russet, and russety round the base. Eye, small, quite open, 

 frequently without any segments, and placed in a very slight depres- 

 sion. Stalk, short, scarcely at all depressed. Flesh, greenish, very 

 firm, crisp, and juicy, briskly and pleasantly flavoured. 



A very good dessert apple : in use from January to June. 



It is remarkable for the firmness and density of its flesh, and Mr. 

 Lindley says its specific gravity is greater than that of any other apple 

 with which he was acquainted. 



The tree is of diminutive size, with short but very stout shoots. It 

 is a good bearer. 



This variety is supposed to be a native of Warwickshire. It is what is generally 

 known in the nurseries under the name of Stone Pippin. 



Black Blenheim. See Hambledon Deux Am. 



BLACK CRAB. Fruit, small, roundish, regular in its outline. Skin, 

 of a dark mahogany colour, sometimes approaching black next the 

 sun ; and greenish fawn where shaded. Eye, small and closed, with 

 short erect segments. Stamens, median ; tube, long, conical. Stalk, 

 very short and stout. Flesh, greenish yellow ; sub-acid. Cells, ovate ; 

 .axile, closed. 



An apple of inferior quality which keeps till Christmas. 



BLACK FOXWHELP. Fruit, small, roundish ovate, inclining to 

 short conical ; even in its outline, slightly angular towards the crown, 

 where it is prominently plaited round the eye. Skin, smooth and 

 rather shining, of a dark mahogany colour on the side next the sun ; 

 tut on the shaded side greenish yellow, covered with broad broken 

 streaks of bright crimson. Eye, small and rather open, with some- 

 what connivent segments prominently set. Stamens, median ; tube, 

 very short, conical. Stalk, short and slender, set in a shallow cavity. 

 Flesh, yellow, sometimes with a greenish tinge, and briskly acid. 

 Cells, obovate ; axile, open. 



A Herefordshire cider apple. 



Black Jack. See Winter Cohnan. 



BLACK NORMAN. Fruit, roundish, nearly oblate; obscurely 

 ribbed, especially round the eye. Skin, smooth and shining, unctuous 

 to feel after the fruit has been gathered ; dull mahogany red on the 

 side next the sun, and gradually becoming paler towards the shaded 

 .side, which is green and slightly mottled with red. Eye, closed, with 



