APPLES. ] 95 



length in a round cavity, which is surrounded with russet. Flesh, 

 yellow, firm, crisp, rich, and sugary, charged with a powerful aromatic 

 flavour. Cells, obovate ; axile, slit. 



An apple so well known as to require neither description nor 

 encomium. It is in greatest perfection during November and Decem- 

 ber, but with good management will keep till March. 



The tree is in general hardy, a vigorous grower, and a good bearer, 

 provided it is grown in a dry soil ; but if otherwise it is almost sure to 

 canker. In all the southern and middle counties of England it succeeds 

 well as an open standard ; but in the north, and in Scotland, it requires 

 the protection of a wall to bring it to perfection. Nicol calls it " a 

 universal apple for these kingdoms ; it will thrive at John O'Groat's, 

 while it deserves a place at Exeter or at Cork." 



The Ribston Pippin did not become generally known till the end of the last 

 century, and it is not mentioned in any of the editions of Miller's Dictionary, or 

 by any other author of that period ; neither was it grown in the Brompton Park 

 ^Nurserv in 1770. In 1785 I find it was in that collection, when it was grown to the 

 extent of a quarter of a row, or about twenty-five plants ; and as this supply seems 

 to have sufficed for three years' demand, its merits must have been but little known. 

 In 1788 it extended to one row, or about one hundred plants, and three years later 

 to two rows ; from 1791 it increased one row annually, till 1794, when it reached 

 five rows. From these facts we may pretty well learn the rise and progress of its 

 popularity. In 1847, in the same nursery, it was cultivated to the extent of about 

 twenty-five rows, or 2,500 plants annually. 



The original tree was first discovered growing in the garden at Ribston Hall, 

 near Knaresborough, but how, when, or by what means it came there, has not been 

 satisfactorily ascertained. One account states that about the year 1688 some apple 

 pips were brought from Rouen and sown at Ribston Hall ; the trees produced from 

 them were planted in the park, and one turned out to be the variety in question. 

 The original tree stood till 1810, when it was blown down by a violent gale of 

 wind. It was afterwards supported by stakes in a horizontal position, and continued 

 to produce fruit till it lingered and died in 1835. Since then, a young shoot has 

 been produced about four inches below the surface of the ground, which, with 

 proper care, may become a tree, and thereby preserve the original of this favourite 

 old dessert apple. The gardener at Ribston Hall, by whom this apple was raised, 

 was the father of Lowe, who during the last century was the fruit-tree nurseryman, 

 at Hampton Wick. 



RINGER. Fruit, large, three inches wide, and two inches and a 

 half high ; roundish and depressed, obtusely angular, ribbed round the 

 eye. Skin, yellow, with tinges and broken stripes of pale crimson 

 here and there, and sometimes without colour ; the surface sprinkled 

 with thin patches of pale brown russet. Eye, with erect connivent 

 segments, reflexed at the tips, and set in a pretty deep and angular 

 basin. Stamens, marginal ; tube, conical. Stalk, yellowish green, 

 three-quarters of an inch to an inch long, straight, deeply inserted in 

 a round cavity. Flesh, yellow, very tender and juicy, with an agree- 

 able acidity and good flavour. Cells, open, roundish obovate or 

 roundish ovate ; axile, and with a fine perfume. 



A second-rate dessert apple, but excellent for kitchen use from 

 November till February. 



It is a very fragrant apple, and with a very delicate flesh. 



