PLATE XXIX. 
4. SKYRME’S KERNEL. 
The Skyrmes are an old Herefordshire family, and a century or two since, one branch 
held an estate at Brockhampton, called the Upper House, for some generations. It passed 
to the Protheroes by marriage in 1788. Another branch of the Skyrmes lived at Dewsall, 
near Hereford. History is silent as to which of them grew the Kernel that bears the family 
name; but it may very probably have been reared at Brockhampton, for the trees there are 
some 100 or 150 years old; they are found in that district of the county, and may have 
spread from it. The apple is not mentioned by any of the old writers. 
Description .—Fruit : small, about two inches wide and two inches high, ovate or slightly 
conical, even and regular in its outline, and somewhat snouted towards the apex. Skin : smooth 
and shining, almost entirely covered with broken streaks of brilliant crimson on a thin 
pale crimson ground on the side next the sun ; and lemon yellow, tinged with crimson, and 
marked with pale crimson stripes, on the shaded side ; the whole surface being strewed with distinct 
russet dots. Eye : small, set in a narrow, round and even basin ; segments, connivent; tube, funnel 
shaped ; stamens, marginal. Stalk : short, or a fleshy knob, set in a deep wide cavity. Flesh : 
yellowish, firm, crisp but not very juicy, with an acid and rather harsh flavour. Cells of the core, 
closed. 
Mr. With’s analysis of Skyrmes Kernel (season 1880), is as follows 
Density of fresh juice ... ... ... ... 1*034 
Ditto after 24 hours exposure to air ... ... 1*037 
One hundred parts by weight of juice yield :— 
Sugar ... ... ... ... ... 10*638 
Tannin, Mucilage, Salts, &c. ... ... ... 3*662 
Water ... ... ... ... ... 85700 
This Apple is very highly esteemed, and thought by many cider fruit growers to be second 
