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SHAKSPERE APPLE. 
Apple that was raised by Dr. Fry, of Gloucester, from a seed of 
the Old Nonpareil. 
The Shakspere Apple has a less attractive exterior than the 
majority of good dessert Apples, being quite green till late in the 
season, when it assumes a somewhat yellowish tint. Its eye is 
small, the sepals of which generally continue perfect, and rather 
open ; sunk in a narrow and somewhat irregular bason. Its 
stem is short, thin, and issues from a deepish narrow cavity. 
Its skin, at Christmas, becomes of yellowish green colour, finely 
specked all over; its exposed side assuming a slight reddish 
brown, further stained by slightly-visible irregular deeper-co- 
loured short stripes or blotches. Its flesh is greenish yellow, 
firm, crisp, juicy, and brisk-flavoured ; retaining the briskness 
of fresh-gathered frait, with a pleasant sweetness, and vinous 
flavour. 
Although the Shakspere Apple was not raised directly from 
the Old Nonpareil, it bears presumptive evidence of its indirect 
descent from that variety, both in its outward appearance, and 
in the quality of its flesh. There is no Apple from which it 
seems more desirable to propagate seedlings, than the Non- 
pareil; for, notwithstanding its having been an inhabitant of 
our gai'dens and orchards for more than two hundred years, and 
numerous seedlings having been raised from it — many of great 
excellence, still none possess all the superior characteristics of 
this universal favourite. 
