PLATE XXV. 
2 . D’ARCY SPICE. 
[Syn : Baddow Pippin ; Spring Ribston .] 
The origin of this excellent Apple is involved in some obscurity. It was met with in the 
garden of the Hall, Toleshunt D’Arcy, in Essex, where a tree upwards of a century old is still 
standing. Some years ago Mr. John Harris, of Baddow, near Chelmsford, first introduced it to 
public notice under the name of Baddow Pippin , and Mr. Rivers afterwards renamed it Spring 
Ribston. 
Description. —Fruit: medium sized, roundish or rather oblate, with prominent ribs on the 
sides, which terminate in four and sometimes five considerable ridges at the crown, very much in 
the character of the London Pippin. It is sometimes of an ovate shape, caused by the stalk being 
prominent instead of depressed, in which case the ribs on the sides and ridges round the eye are 
less apparent. Skin : deep lively green, changing as it ripens to yellowish green on the shaded 
side, but covered on the side next the sun with dull red which changes to orange where it blends 
with the yellow ground ; the whole surface is considerably marked with thin brown russet and 
russety dots. Eye : rather large and open, with short segments, and set in an angular basin. 
Stalk : very short, not more than a quarter of an inch long, and inserted in a shallow cavity. Flesh: 
greenish white, firm, crisp, juicy, sugary and with a particularly rich and vinous flavour, partaking 
somewhat of the Ribston and Nonpareil , but particularly of the former. 
This is a dessert apple of first-rate character, in season from November, but possessing the 
desirable property of keeping well till April or May. It is not handsome in shape, nor attractive 
in appearance, but its excellent flavour will ensure its more extensive cultivation. The tree is 
hardy, grows freely, and bears well. 
