APPLES. 93 



Maudlin. See Margaret. 



MARVELLOUS. — Fruit, small and oblate. Skin, entirely covered 

 with brilliant crimson, and which has a fine bloom upon it, like a 

 plum. Eye,- closed, set in a shallow basin. Stalk, short. Flesh, 

 yellow, not very juicy, with a pleasant but not rich flavour. 



The great merit of this apple is its appearance, and not its flavour. 

 As an ornament in the dessert it will be valuable, but . its season 

 being in August, at that time its use in this respect is not much in 

 request. 



Megginch Favourite. See Golden Rdnette. 



MELA CARLO {Male Carle). — Fruit, medium sized, two inches 

 and three quarters wide, and the same in height ; roundish, inclining 

 to ovate, narrowing a httle towards the eye, but generally of an ovate 

 shape. Skin, thin and tender, pale green at first, changing as it 

 ripens to fine delicate waxen yellow on the shaded side, but covered 

 with fine dark crimson on the side next the sun. Eye, small and 

 closed, with long acuminate segments, and set in a pretty wide and 

 deep basin, which is sometimes a little ribbed. Stalk, three quarters 

 of an inch long, inserted in a small and smooth cavity. Flesh, white, 

 with a greenish tinge, very delicate, juicy, and tender, with a sweet 

 and vinous flavour, and a perfume like that of roses. 



A dessert apple which, when in perfection, is of the most exquisite 

 flavour ; but, being indigenous to a warmer climate, it does not attain 

 its full maturity in this country. When grown in an orchard house 

 as I have received it from Mr. Rivers, it is equal to any specimens 

 I have ever met with in Italy. By the aid of a souti wall, in a 

 warm and sheltered situation, it may, however, be brought to some 

 degree of excellence. At Elvaston Castle, Mr. Barron successfully 

 cultivated it upon earthen mounds, with an inclination to the sun of 

 45°- When in perfection, its flesh is as melting as that of the Beurre 

 and Doyenne pears ; it is in use from December to March. 



The tree is a strong and vigorous grower, and an abundant bearer. 



This apple is of Italian origin, and is extensively cultivated about Turin. Its 

 name is by some supposed to have been given in honour of Charlemagne, who is 

 said to have held this fruit in high estimation. 



MELON APPLE. — Fruit, medium sized, two inches and three 

 quarters wide, and two inches and a half high ; roundish, but narrow- 

 ing a little towards the crown, and somewhat bluntly angular on the 

 sides. Skin, smooth, lemon yellow tinged with green, veined with 

 very delicate pale brown russet on the shaded side ; on the side next 

 the sun it is pale bright crimson vrith patches and veins of very 

 thin smooth pale brown russet. Eye, small and half open, placed 

 in a narrow, sometimes shghtly angular basin. Stalk, half an inch 

 long, very slender, straight, and woody, inserted in an even, funnel- 



