An Account of the original Ribston Pippin. 141 



seems to be in possession of all that is known respecting it. 

 The Society, I am sure, will feel indebted to Sir Henry for 

 that communication, and not less to the zeal of the fair cor- 

 respondent, by whose means it was obtained. I will, to do 

 it justice, give it in Sir Henry Goodricke's own words. 



" Traditionary accounts," he observes, " are all which we 

 have to guide us in the history of this tree. It is said, that 

 some Apple seeds, or pips, were brought from Rouen, in 

 Normandy, about one hundred and thirty years ago ; that 

 they were sown at Ribston ; that five of the pips grew, two 

 of them proving crabs, and the other three apples, which 

 were all planted out, at Ribston. Two of the Apple trees 

 are now growing, and produce fruit ; one of them, the cele- 

 brated Ribston Pippin, which was blown down about the 

 year 1810. The bark having been previously injured by 

 cattle, the tree had decayed, so that the wind fractured the 

 stem about seven feet from the ground, the head and bran- 

 ches hanging by that part of the bark, which remained sound. 

 In this position it yet remains, sending out fresh and vigo- 

 rous shoots in new directions. It yet bears fruit, but in 

 decreased quantity, size, and flavour. For several years, it 

 had not at any time produced a peck of apples. The year 

 before it was blown down, it produced between three and 

 four bushels, and when in its prime, which is within the 

 memory of many persons now living, it was reputed a good 

 bearer." 



This is Sir Henry Goodricke's account, which is dated 

 Ribston, March, 1818. 



I had some time ago requested the Hon. William 

 Herbert, who resides in the neighbourhood of Ribston, to 



