EMPEROR ALEXANDER. 
I 
Nursery, sent to the Society, magnificent specimens of the fruit, 
which they had received from Riga; one of which, taken as a 
fair sample, weighed nineteen ounces, and measured full six- 
teen inches round its centre. The Apple is a native of the 
southern provinces of Russia, whence it was transported to 
Riga, where it obtained the name of the Alexander Apple, in 
compliment to the Empei'or of Russia, to whom some of its 
produce is said to be annually sent as a present. 
For the specimen now figured (three- fourths of its natural 
size) we are indebted to the kindness of a constant friend and 
contributor, Thomas Blakeway, Esq., of Tenbury, whose zeal 
in the encouragement of horticultural jiursuits is equalled only 
by his benevolence and generosity. This variety flourishes in 
the garden of one of his tenants, in a climate inferior to the 
average of the midland counties ; therefore we may conclude, 
as well from this instance, as from its native country, and a 
knowledge of its general healthy growth, that it is perfectly 
hardy, although not esteemed a prolific bearer. Rogers, in his 
Fruit Cultivator, says it is less subject to suffer from American 
blight than some other kinds, of less free growth. 
The deeply-sunk eye is a strong feature in this Apjile; and 
it has a still deeper cavity of the stem, reaching almost to the 
core. Its colour, in October, when our drawing was made, 
was a rich golden yellow, more or less beautifully coloured, 
according to its exposure, whilst growing, by a fine crimson 
speckling, and loose blotchy stripes. A little fine net-work of 
nisset is often found about the eye. The flesh is yellowish 
white, of a tender, smooth, consistence; juicy and sweet ; with 
a rich, high, and somewhat pine-like flavour. Its size makes 
it somewhat unsuitable for a dessert fruit, othenvise those who 
prefer a rich tender Apple cannot have one superior to this 
native of Russia. The tree is well suited for culture as a 
dwarf or espalier. 
