APPLE. 



49 



years, it being then in repute as a dessert fruit. The 

 tirst tree of it he saw was an espalier in the Sheen 

 garden, planted by Sir William Temple. 



33. Transparent Apple. — This curious apple is the 

 Pomme d'Astracan of the French, and in this country- 

 is usable during the two last months of the year. It 

 appears early in French catalogues, being in both 

 those of Merlet and Duhamel. It was received 

 among the collection of Sir P. Stephens before men- 

 tioned. In the list accompanying that order, it was 

 marked as ripe in January and February ; but the 

 author has rarely found it keep longer than the end 

 of December. The fruit is rather oval, middle-sized, 

 and of a whitish-green colour, and covered with 

 white bloom. The flesh is crisp and transparent, 

 resembling the pulp of a peach ; so much so, indeed, 

 that the seeds may be seen through it. The juice is 

 moderate in quantity, but agreeable in flavour. The 

 tree grows healthily, and generally bears well, taking 

 a third-class place in the orchard ; but is better 

 adapted for espalier training on a light rich soil. 

 For useful purposes the fruit is only second-rate, 

 being more curious than serviceable. 



34. Luccomb^s Seedling, — Is a very good kitchen 

 apple, in perfection from November to February. 

 The fruit is large and nearly round ; the skin dull- 

 green, with a red marbled cheek next the sun. The 

 flesh is firm, juice acid, but not abundant. This 

 fruit is in repute about Exeter ; near which city it 

 was first raised by a person whose name it bears. 

 It is an orchard tree of the first class, growing vigo- 



