APPLES. 41 



A culinary apple of tirst-rate quality; in use from November to 

 February. 



This variety was named in honour of Caroline, Lady Suffield, the wife of the 

 second Lord Suth'eld, of Bliekling and Guntou Hall, Norfolk. SShc was Lady 

 Caroline Hohart, daughter of the second Earl of Buckinghamshire. 



CASTLE MAJOR. Fruit, large, three inches to three and a quarter 

 wide, ami the same in height ; conical, and prominently ribbed, the 

 ribs ex ton ding from the base to the apex, where they terminate in the 

 form of small knobs in the basin of the eye. Skin, deep yellow over 

 the whole surface, except on the side next the sun. where there is a 

 blush of reddish orange. Eye, closed, or nearly so, with erect con- 

 vergent segments, which are slightly divergent, set in a narrow knobbed 

 cavity. Stamens, basal ; tube, conical. Stalk, short, quite imbedded 

 in the deep angular cavity, which is slightly russety. Flesh, white, 

 tender, juicy, and with a mild acidity. Cells, elliptical ; abaxile. 



An excellent cooking apple ; in use during October and November. 

 It is a favourite among the Kentish orchardists, and is frequently met 

 with in the London markets. 



CATSHEAD. 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 round the crown. Skin, smooth and unc- 

 tuous, 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. Stamens, median ; tube, conical, inclining to 

 funnel-shape. 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 flavour. Cells, ovate; abaxile. 



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 -ynonunons with the Costard of Kay, which is 

 undoubtedly an error, the Costard being distinct. 



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

 its great si/e. 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 arc inert, tin/ after full repast, 

 Are uft requir'd, and crown the rich >i 



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 hungry ploughman, both at home and in the field, and, there- 

 fore, 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." 



