PLATE LXXIV. 
served up at dessert, says, “ also the Pomme d' Apis, which is served here more for show than for 
use ; being a small flat apple, very beautiful, and very red on one side, and pale or white on the 
other, and may serve ladies at their toilets as a pattern to paint by.” De la Ouintinye calls it, “ Une 
pomme des Demoiselles et de bonne compagnie.” 
“There are other varieties mentioned by J. Baptista Porta, as belonging to the Api family ; 
one which ripens in August, is in size like the Claudiana already mentioned, and commonly called 
the Melo Appio Rosso, because it retained the scent of the Api; this is probably the Rother 
Sommer-api, of Diel.” There is another Api, of which he says, “ Assererem tuto esse Melapium 
Plinii ,” and which was held in such estimation as to give rise to the proverb— 
“ Omne malum malum praeter appium malum.” 
This beautiful little apple has been represented in almost all the illustrated Pomological 
works. 
Description. —Fruit : very small, oblate. Skin : thick, smooth, and shining, yellowish green 
in the shade, changing to pale yellow as it attains maturity ; and deep glossy red, approaching to 
crimson, on the side next the sun. Eye : small, set in a rather deep and plaited basin. Stalk : 
short, and deeply inserted. Flesh : white, crisp, tender, sweet, very juicy, and slightly perfumed. 
A beautiful little dessert apple, in season from October to April. It should be eaten with 
the skin on, since it is there that the perfume is contained. The skin is very sensitive of shade, and 
any device may be formed upon it by causing pieces of paper, cut in the form of the design required, 
to adhere to the side exposed to the sun, before it has attained its deep red colour. 
Under the name of Lady Apple , large quantities of the Api are annually imported to this 
country from the United States, where it is grown to a great extent, and produces a considerable 
return to the growers, as it always commands a higher price than any other fancy apple in the 
market. In the winter months, it may be seen encircled with various coloured tissue papers, 
adorning the windows of the leading Fruiterers in Covent Garden Market. 
The tree is pyramidal in growth, healthy, and an abundant bearer. It succeeds well on the 
doucin, or crab stock, in almost any situation, provided the soil is rich and loamy, without being too 
light or dry. It is best adapted for pot culture, when worked on the French paradise stock. The 
fruit adheres firmly to the spurs, and resists well the effects of high winds. 
