APPLES. 61 



into a greater error. It would be needless to enter into any further discussion upon 

 a subject concerning which so much has already been said and written, as there 

 is sufficient evidence to confute that theory. The Pearinain, which ia the oldest 

 English apple on record, shows no symptom of decay, neither does the Catshead, 

 London Pippin, Winter Quoining, or any other variety, those only having 

 disappeared from our orchards which were not worth perpetuating, and their 

 places supplied by others infinitely superior. 



It was towards the end of the last century that this doctrine was first promul- 

 gated, and though the old diseased trees of the Herefordshire orchards, of which 

 Mr. Knight spoke, may ere this have passed away, we have the Golden Pippin still, 

 in all the luxuriance of early youth, where it is found in a soil congenial to its 

 growth, and exhibiting as little indication of decay as any of the varieties which 

 Mr. Knight raised to supply the vacancy he expected it to create. 



But this alarm of Mr. Knight for the safety of the Golden Pippin, and his fear 

 of its extinction, were based upon no new doctrine, for we find Mortimer a 

 hundred years before equally lamenting the Kentish Pippin. After speaking of 

 manures, &c., for the regeneration of fruit-trees, he says, " I shall be glad if this 

 account may put any upon the trial of raising that excellent fruit the Kentish 

 Pippin, which else, I fear, will be lost. For I find in several orchards, both" in 

 Kent, Essex, and Hertfordshire, old trees of that sort, but I can find no young 

 ones to prosper. A friend of mine tried a great many experiments in Hertford- 

 shire about raising them, and could never get them to thrive, though he had old 

 trees in the same orchard that grew and bore very well. I likewise tried several 

 experiments myself, and have had yoang trees thrive so well as to make many 

 shoots of a yard long in a year, but these young shoots were always blasted the 

 next year, or cankered ; which makes me think that the ancients had some 

 particular way of raising them, that we have lost the knowledge of." Although 

 this was written in the beginning of last centnry, we have the Kentish Pippin still, 

 which, though not so much cultivated, or so well known now as then, is neverthe- 

 less where it does exist as vigorous and healthy as ever it was. 



GOLDEN REINETTE {Aurore; Dundee; Megginch Favourite; 

 Prlncesse Noble; Reinette d'ALv; Reinette Oielen ; Yellow German 

 Eeinette ; Elizabeth ; EngUse Pippin ; Wygers ; Gourt-pendU doree ; 

 Kirke's Golden Eeinette; Golden Renet; Golden Rennet; Pomme 

 Madame; Wyker Pippin). — ^Fruit, medium sized; rotmdish, and a little 

 flattened. Skin, a fine deep yellow, which towards the sun is tinged 

 with red, streaked with deeper and livelier red, and dotted all over 

 with russety dots. Eye, large and open, with short dry segments, and 

 set in a wide and even basin. Stalk, half an inch long, deeply inserted 

 in a round and even cavity. Flesh, yellow, crisp, brisk, juicy, rich, 

 and sugary. 



A fine old dessert apple of first-rate quality; it is in use from 

 November to April. The tree is healthy, vigorous, and an abundant 

 bearer. It requires a light and warm soil, and is well adapted for 

 dwarf training when worked on the paradise stock. 



Large quantities of this fruit are grown in the counties round London 

 for the supply of the different markets, where they always command 

 a high price. 



This variety has been long known in this country and esteemed as one of the 

 finest apples Worlidge, in 1676, says, "It is to be preferred in our plantations 

 for all occasions." Ellis, in his " Modern Husbandman," 1744, says, " The Golden 

 Rennet, when of the largest sort, may be truly said to be the farmer's greatest 

 favourite apple, because when all others miss bearing, this generally stands his 

 friend, and bears him large quantities on one tree." 



