PLATE XXXIII. 
i. WHEELER’S RUSSET. 
This apple is said to have been raised by Mr. James Wheeler who founded the Gloucester 
Nursery Garden, now in the occupation of his great grandson. Mr. Wheeler was an intelligent 
man, and assiduous in his profession. He published in 1763, “ The Botanist's and Gardener s New 
Dictionary .” He died about the beginning of the century, having attained over ninety years of 
age. It is a little doubtful however whether this apple which bears his name was really raised by 
him, for in an old day book, dated 1717, and which belonged to Smith and Carpenter of the 
Brompton Park Nursery, it appears that it was cultivated there at that period, when of course 
Mr. James Wheeler must have been a mere child. 
Description .—Fruit : medium sized, two inches and three quarters broad and two inches and 
a quarter high ; roundish obovate, and somewhat irregular in its outline. Skin : entirely covered 
with pale yellowish grey russet, with a reddish brown colour where exposed to the sun, strewn with 
russety freckles. Eye : small and closed, with short segments, set in a wide and undulated basin. 
Stalk : from a quarter to half an inch long, inserted in a round, narrow, and deep cavity. Flesh : 
greenish white, firm, juicy, brisk and sugary ; with a rich vinous and aromatic flavour. 
A valuable and highly-flavoured dessert apple of the first quality. It is in season from 
November to April ; and as Mr. Lindley says when it is well ripened and begins to shrivel, it is 
one of the best russets of its season. 
The tree is a free grower, healthy and hardy, but does not attain a large size. It is 
generally .a good bearer, and succeeds well in almost any soil provided it is not too moist. 
