PLATE LIX. 
5. ROYAL SOMERSET. 
The history of the origin of this apple is lost. Its name indicates it to be a Somersetshire 
apple. The Royal Somerset of the Horticultural Society’s Catalogue is London Pippin. This 
variety is a distinct fruit, and has more the resemblance of a medium sized Blenheim Pippin , as 
well in its shape as in its colour, and the formation of the eye. Dr. Hogg first obtained it in 1847 
for Mr. James Lake, nurseryman, of Bridgewater. 
Description. —Fruit : rather above medium size, three inches wide and rather more than 
two and a quarter high ; roundish ovate, generally higher on one side than the other, handsome 
and regularly shaped. Skin : smooth, pale yellow, with a tinge of green on the shaded side, but 
brighter yellow, marked with faint broken streaks and mottles of crimson on the side next the sun ; 
the whole surface strewed with russety dots, which are most numerous in the basin of the eye. 
Eye : large and open, with very short stunted segments, which are reflexed and placed in a round, 
even and pretty deep basin. Stalk : upwards of half an inch long, slender and inserted almost 
the whole of its length in a deep, round, smooth and funnel-shaped cavity. Flesh : yellowish, very 
tender and juicy, with a pleasant, delicate, subacid but not brisk flavour. 
A very excellent culinary apple, in season from November to March. This apple is 
translucent round the eye like Dumelow s Seedling. 
The tree is very vigorous and bears abundantly. 
