530 THE APPLE. 



expressed, indicates, with very considerable accuracy, the strength of the 

 future cider. 



1130. Varieties. The varieties of apple in cultivation previous to the 

 time of Henry VIII. do not appear to have been numerous; but Evelyn 

 informs us, that Harris, the fruiterer to that monarch, introduced many 

 sorts of apples and other fruits from Flanders, and distributed them in the 

 neighbourhood of thirty towns in Kent only, to the great and universal im- 

 provement of the country. In the time of Charles I., Lord Scudamore in- 

 troduced a number of cider apples from Normandy into Herefordshire. 

 Hartlib, during the Commonwealth, in 1650, " believes there are nearly 

 500 sorts in this island." Some were introduced from Holland in the time 

 of William III., and the number would doubtless gradually increase till the 

 commencement of the present century, when it has been greatly accel- 

 erated by the growing taste for gardening, and the great stimulus given by 

 Mr. Knight to raising new fruits from seed. The Horticultural Society of 

 London have collected varieties of fruit from every part of the world, and 

 the number of sorts of apples, that have been proved in their gardens to be 

 distinct, is believed to be nearly 1500 ; the number of names exceeding twice 

 that amount, many varieties having more than one name. The great diffi- 

 culty, where the choice is so ample, is to make a selection, and this, with 

 the assistance of Mr. Thompson, we have been enabled to do, so as to present 

 lists of unquestionable excellence. 



1131. Early dessert Apples. 



Early Red Margaret, syn. Red juneating, middle size, conical, greenish 

 yellow striped with red, tender and rich ; ripe in August ; a good bearer, 

 and the fruit most abundant at the extremities of the branches. 



Early Harvest, syn. Large Early, or Prince's Harvest. Above the middle 

 size, roundish, yellow, with crisp, juicy flesh, and brisk rich flavour ; ripe 

 in the beginning of August. 



Oslin, syn. Arbroath pippin. Middle size, oblate, pale yellow, firm, rich, 

 spicy, aromatic ; ripe in August and lasting till September ; a good bearer, 

 and altogether one of the best summer apples. A Scotch variety. 



Kerry Pippin. Middle size, oval, yellow and red, firm, sugary, and rich ; 

 September to October; a good bearer, a healthy tree, and altogether an 

 excellent fruit. As the name implies, it is an Irish variety. 



Summer Golden Pippin. Below the middle size, ovate, flattened at the 

 eye, yellow, crisp, and rich ; September ; tree of medium size, and a 

 tolerably good bearer. 



1132. Dessert Apples to succeed early kinds. 



Wormsley Pippin. Middle size, roundish, pale green, crisp, juicy, and 

 rich ; September to October ; excellent for the dessert, and peculiarly rich 

 when cooked ; the tree a great bearer, healthy and vigorous. 



King of the Pippins -, syn. Hampshire yellow. Above the medium size, 

 rather oblong, yellow and red, firm, juicy, and rich; October to January; 

 a great bearer, and a vigorous, healthy tree. 



Golden Reinette, syn. Wyke^f pippin. Middle size, flattish, yellow and 

 red, sugary, rich, yellow flesh ; October to January ; a good bearer, the 

 tree of the middle size, and the fruit very handsome. 



