APPLES. 



plentiful, but of a most singularly rich, poignant, aro- 

 matic flavour. 



One of our most admired dessert apples, in its greatest 

 perfection from Christmas to Lady-day. 



Switzer, in 17^4, says, " The Nonpareil is no stranger 

 in England, though it might have had its origin in 

 France ; yet there are trees of it about the Ashtons, in 

 Oxfordshire, of about one hundred years ojd, which (as 

 they have it by tradition) were first brought out of 

 France, and planted by a Jesuit, in Queen Mary's or 

 Queen Elizabeth's time." From which it appears that 

 it must have been in our gardens above two centuries. 

 The trees are regularly good bearers ; and when grafted 

 upon the Doucin stock, upon a good soil, and under 

 judicious management, their fruit has been as perfect 

 as the best of our newest productions. 



176. OLD ROYAL RUSSET, of the old Gardens. 

 Fruit above the middle size, rather irregular in its 



outline, about three inches in diameter, and two inches 

 and a half deep. Eye small, with a closed calyx, deeply 

 sunk in a narrow, oblique, irregular basin, surrounded 

 by blunt plaits. Skin a rough grey russet, upon a 

 green ground, with dull brown breaking through on the 

 sunny side. Flesh greenish white, very firm. Juice 

 not plentiful, very sharp sub- acid, with a slight astrin- 

 gency before fully matured. 



A culinary apple from November till April. 



Late in the season, when it begins to shrivel, it ejats 

 pretty well ; but before that time it is too harsh to bring 

 to table. The trees grow to the largest size, are very 

 hardy, and in all seasons great bearers. 



The Leathercoat Russet of some country orchards is 

 very different from this, very inferior, and making a 

 very ugly tree, mostly full of disease, and not worth 

 cultivating. 



177. PATCH'S RUSSET. Hort. Soc. Cat. No. 993. 



