140 THE FRUIT MANUAL. 



covered with thin brown russet on the shaded side, but covered with 

 dull brownish red on the side next the sun, strewed with large russet 

 dots. Eye, partially closed, with broad flat segments, set in a shallow 

 and plaited basin. Stamens, median; tube, funnel-shaped. Stalk, 

 three-quarters of an inch to an inch long, obliquely inserted in a 

 moderately deep cavity, with generally a fleshy protuberance on one 

 side of it. Flesh, yellow, firm, crisp, juicy, and very sugary, with a 

 brisk and particularly rich flavour. Cells, open, obovate ; axile. 



This is one of the best and richest flavoured of our dessert apples ; 

 it comes into use in October and November, and continues in good 

 condition till March. 



A communication of some importance was sent me by Mr. Cameron, 

 of Uckfield, by whom this variety was first propagated. He says the 

 fruit should be allowed to hang late on the tree before it is gathered, so 

 as to secure its peculiar richness of flavour, and long period of duration ; 

 for if gathered too soon, it loses much of its fine richness, and is very 

 apt to shrivel. 



The tree does not attain a large size, but is perfectly hardy, and 

 an early and excellent bearer ; young trees, only two or three years 

 from the graft, producing a considerable crop of handsome, well-grown 

 fruit. 



This esteemed variety originated about the year 1770, in a garden lately in pos- 

 session of Mr. John Mannington, at Uckfield, in Sussex. At the time it was raised 

 the garden belonged to Mr. Turley, a blacksmith, and grandfather of Mr. Man- 

 nington. The original tree grew up at the root of a hedge, where the refuse from 

 a cider press had been thrown ; it never attained any great size, but continued to 

 preserve a stunted and diminutive habit of gjowth, till it died about the year 1820. 

 Previous to this, however, grafts had been freely distributed to persons in the 

 neighbourhood ; but it does not seem to have been known beyond its own locality 

 till the autumn of 1847, when Mr. Mannington caused specimens of the fruit to 

 be forwarded to the London Horticultural Society, by whom it was pronounced to 

 be a dessert fruit of the highest excellence, and was designated by Mr. Thompson 

 " Mannington's Pearmain." 



Mr. Mannington, whose acquaintance I made in 1846, was a man of singular 

 intelligence on many subjects, and was an enthusiastic pomologist. He raised 

 many varieties of fruits, especially pears, some of which are of great excellence. 

 He was an unwearying correspondent, and up to within a few months of his death 

 I was favoured with his views in respect to pomological matters. He died at Uck- 

 field on the 19th September, 1880, aged 93 years, and one of his last letters to me 

 finished thus " Written without spectacles." 



MARBLE PIPPIN. Fruit, medium sized, nearly three inches in 

 diameter, and two inches and a quarter high ; round and flattened ; in 

 shape and colour bearing much resemblance to Blenheim Pippin. Skin, 

 pale yellow, strewed with russet dots, and with a red blush next the sun 

 side. Eye, open, with reflexed, sharp-pointed segments, set in a round, 

 smooth basin. Stamens, median ; tube, funnel-shaped. Stalk, half an 

 inch long, set in a deep wide cavity. Flesh, very tender, sweet, juicy, 

 and pleasantly flavoured. Cells, open, roundish ovate. 



An excellent dessert or culinary apple ; in use from November till 

 January. 



