288 THE FRUIT MANUAL. 



A pretty little dessert apple, but not of first-rate quality ; it is in use 

 from November to February. 



This was raised by James Wheeler, nurseryman, of Gloucester. The original 

 tree is still existing in the nursery of his great-grandson. The late Mr. J. Cheslin 

 Wheeler informed me that the name of " Extreme " is supposed to have been 

 applied to this variety, from the circumstance of producing its fruit on the 

 extremities of the last year's shoots. 



WHEELEE'S RUSSET. Fruit, medium sized, two inches and 

 three-quarters broad, and two inches and a quarter high ; roundish 

 ovate, and somewhat irregular in its outline. Skin, entirely covered 

 with pale yellowish grey russet, with reddish brown where exposed to 

 the sun, strewed with russety freckles. Eye, small and closed, with 

 short segments, set in a narrow and plaited basin. Stamens, median ; 

 tube, funnel-shaped. Stalk, from half an inch to an inch long, slender, 

 inserted in a round, narrow, and deep cavity. Flesh, greenish white, 

 firm, juicy, brisk, and sugary, with a rich, vinous, and aromatic 

 flavour. Cells, ovate ; axile, closed. 



A valuable and highly flavoured dessert apple of the first quality ; it 

 is in use from November to April ; and as Mr. Lindley says, when 

 ripened and begins to shrivel, it is one of the best russets of its season. 



The tree is a free grower, healthy, and hardy, but does not attain 

 above the middle size. It is generally a good bearer, and succeeds well 

 in almost any soil, provided it be not too moist. 



This was long supposed to have been raised by James Wheeler, the founder of 

 the Gloucester Nursery, now in the occupation of his great-grandson. He pub- 

 lished, in 1763, "The Botanist's and Gardener's New Dictionary," and died 

 about the beginning of the present century, having attained over ninety years of 

 age. I am doubtful, however, if this apple was raised by him, for I have dis- 

 covered in an old day-book dated 1717, which belonged to Smith and Carpenter, 

 of the Brompton Park Nursery, that it was cultivated there at that period, when 

 James Wheeler must have been a mere child. 



WHITE ASTRACHAN (Transparent Apple}. Fruit, medium sized, 

 two inches and a half wide, and nearly the same in height ; roundish 

 ovate, or rather conical, flattened at the base, with obtuse angles on the 

 sides, which extend and become more prominent and rib-like round the 

 eye. Skin, smooth, pale yellow, with a few faint streaks of red next 

 the sun, and covered with a delicate white bloom. Eye, closed, set in 

 a narrow and plaited basin. Stamens, marginal ; tube, funnel-shaped. 

 Stalk, thick and short, inserted in a small and very shallow cavity. 

 Flesh, pure white, semi-transparent, with somewhat gelatinous-like 

 blotches, tender, juicy, with a pleasant and refreshing flavour. Cells, 

 ovate ; axile. 



A dessert apple, but not of first-rate quality ; ripe in August and the 

 early part of September. The tree is a strong and vigorous grower, 

 and an excellent bearer. 



The Transparent Apple of Rogers, and the Muscovy Apple of Mortimer, can- 

 not be identical with this, for they are described by both as winter apples ; may 

 they not be the Russischer Glasapfel or Astracanischer Winterapfel of Diel? 



