PLATE XLI. 
3. M ARGIL. 
[Syn : Margill; Herefordshire Margil; Small Ribston ; Never Fail; Munches Pippinl\ 
There seems no record of this variety before the publication of the “ Pomona Londmensis ,” 
although it was known for many years previously. Rogers says he saw a tree of this variety growing 
as an Espalier in the garden at Sheen, which was planted by Sir Wm. Temple. It was cultivated 
to a considerable extent in the Brompton Park Nursery so early as 1750 ; it must therefore have 
been well known at that period. There is no record of its exact origin to be found. It may have 
been introduced from the Continent by George London, who was for some years in the garden at 
Versailles under De Ouintinye, and afterwards in partnership with Henry Wise as proprietor of the 
Brompton Park Nursery. The name seems rather to indicate a French than an English origin. 
It is well figured by Lindley, PI. 36 ; and by Ronalds, PI. xii., fig 4, and also by Hooker in 
the “ Pomona LondinensisP 
Description. —Fruit: small, two inches and an eighth wide, and the same in height, conical, 
and distinctly five sided, with acute angles on the side, and which terminate at the crown in five 
prominent ridges. Skin : orange, streaked with deep red, and covered on one side with patches of 
russet. Eye : small and closed, compressed as it were between the angles of the basin. Stalk : 
half-an-inch long, slender and rather deeply inserted in a round and russety cavity. Flesh : yellow, 
firm, juicy, rich and sugary, with a powerful and delicious aromatic flavour. 
This little apple is a rival of the Ribston Pippin which it excels in juiciness and the size best 
adopted for dessert fruit. It is one of the best dessert apples, and when properly kept remains in 
season from November to February. It requires however to be recognised by a connoiseur, for it 
is in itself scarcely handsome enough for the market. 
The tree is of a small and slender habit of growth. It is quite hardy, and except in seasons 
when the blossom is injured by frost, it bears abundantly. It succeeds well on the paradise stock 
as a dwarf standard, or as an espalier, and no garden should be without it. 
