APPLES. 125 



as it ripens to dull yellow, and marked with broken streaks of pale red 

 on the shaded side, but dull red changing to clear faint crimson, 

 marked with streaks of deeper crimson, on the side next the sun, and 

 generally russety over the base. Eye, small and closed, set in an 

 irregular basin, which is generally netted with russet. Stalk, half an 

 inch long, slender, and generally inserted its whole length in a round 

 cavity, which is surrounded with russet. Flesh, yellow, firm, crisp, 

 rich, and sugary, charged with a powerful aromatic flavour. 



An apple so well known as to require neither description nor 

 encomium. It is in greatest perfection during November and Decem- 

 ber, but with good management will keep till March. 



The tree is in general hardy, a vigorous grower, and a good bearer, 

 provided it is grown in a dry soil ; but if otherwise it is almost sure to 

 canker. In all the southern and middle counties of England it succeeds 

 well as an open standard ; but in the north, and in Scotland, it requires 

 the protection of a wall to bring it to perfection. Nicol calls it "a 

 universal apple for these kingdoms ; it will thrive at John O'Groat's, 

 while it deserves a place at Exeter or at Cork." 



There is no apple in this country which is more generally cultivated than the 

 Ribston Pippin. It did not become generally known till the end of the last century, 

 and it is not mentioned in any of the editions of Miller's Dictionary, or by any 

 other author of that period ; neither was it grown in the Brompton Park nursery 

 in 1770. In 1785 I find it in that collection, when it was grown to the extent of a 

 quarter of a row, or about twenty-five plants ; and as this supply seems to have 

 sufficed for three years' demand, its merits must have been but little known. In 

 1788 it extended to one row, or about one hundred plants, and three years later to 

 two rows ; from 1791, it increased one row annually, till 1794, when it reached five 

 rows. From these facts we may pretty well learn the rise and progress of its 

 popularity. It is now in the same nursery cultivated to the extent of about twenty- 

 five rows, or2,.5(lO plants annually. 



The original tree was first discovered growing in the garden at Kibston Hall, 

 near Knaresborough, but how, when, or by what means it came there, has not been 

 satisfactorily ascertained. One account states that about the year 1688 some apple 

 pips were brought from Rouen and sown at Ribston Hall, near Knaresborough ; 

 the trees then produced from them were planted in the park, and one turned out 

 to be the variety in question. The original tree stood till 1810, when it was blown 

 down by a violent gale of wind. It was afterwards supported by stakes in a 

 horizontal position, and continued to produce fruit till it lingered and died in 1835. 

 Since then, a young shoot has been produced about four inches below the surface 

 of the ground, which, with proper care, may become a tree, and thereby preserve 

 the original of this favourite old dessert apple. The gardener at Bibston Hall, by 

 whom this apple was raised, was the father of Lowe, who during the last century 

 was the fruit-tree nurseryman at Hampton Wick. 



EOBINSON'S PIPPIN.— Fruit, small ; roundish, narrowing towards 

 the apex, where it is quite flat, and covered with thin russet. Skin, 

 greenish yellow on the shaded side, but brownish red where exposed 

 to the sun, and strewed all over with minute russety dots. - Eye, 

 prominent, not at all depressed, and closed with broad flat segments. 

 Stalk, half an inch long, stout, and inserted in a slight depression. 

 Flesh, greenish, tender, crisp, sweet, and very juicy, with a fine, brisk, 

 poignant, and slightly perfumed flavour, much resembling that of the 

 Golden Pippin and Nonpareil. 



