1876 . ] 
Paul’s imperial crab. 
1 
io 
( Wood^s Frame, or French Breakfast); Potato s {Ash-leaf) may also be planted ■ 
in pits or frames, where there is a gentle bottom-heat. Of the latter, place some 
good sets in heat, and just cover them with light earth, so that they 
may sprout, to be in readiness for planting under glass next month; these 
may also be grown very successfully in pots. Ciicumhers require every 
attention at this season, and without a good command of heat it is useless to 
attempt their growth till the days lengthen ; they require a night-temperature of 
about 70°, and an increase of 10° through the day in bright weather. Use 
water very sparingly, so that the plants do not get soddened ; if mildew make 
its appearance on the leaves, dust them with sulphur; sow again about the 
middle of the month, and prepare plenty of dung and leaves, mixed together, to 
be in readiness to fill pits, or make up hot-beds, &:c., when required.—J. Powell, 
Frog more. 
PAUL’S IMPERIAL CRAB. 
WITH AN ILLUSTRATION. 
PECIMENS of this very ornamental fruit were exhibited at South Kensington, 
in September, 1874, by Messrs. Paul and Son, of Cheshunt, under the 
name above adopted, and from some of these our figure and also the 
annexed description were taken :— 
Fruit roundish oblate, about 1-^ in. in diameter, with numerous shallow 
ridges, most evident towards the eye; stalk -I-in. to Jin. long, set in a 
moderately deep acute hollow ; eye prominent, with long acute calyx-lobes, set in 
a broad shallow cup. Skin yellow, almost wholly covered with bright red, the 
outer part more deeply coloured, very deep crimson, with a thin bloom. Flesh 
yellowish, firm, tender, and moderately juicy, with a fresh and rather rough acidity. 
Messrs. Paul and Son have obligingly communicated the following particulars 
respecting this very ornamental fruit-bearing plant:— 
“ The Imperial Crab was a seedling raised by Mr. R. Laing, of the Twicken¬ 
ham Nursery, a cross between the Red Astrachan Apple and Siberian Crab. As a 
understand Mr. Laing, it was accidental, the two trees standing with interlaced 
branches in one of the old walled squares of the nursery. It fruited, and was 
exhibited at the Pomological Society’s meeting about the year 1865, where it 
was much admired, but did not receive any ofiScial recognition. Struck by the 
fruit on the young grafted trees, which I saw and admired three or four years suc¬ 
cessively, I persuaded Mr. Laing to let my firm send it out in conjunction with him. 
Hence when distributed in 1869, it became generally known as Paul’s Imperial 
Crab. Its handsome foliage and vigorous habit, coupled with the brilliantly 
tinted fruit, have gained for it general favour. The fruit almost declares its 
parentage, so vividly is it coloured, while the Astrachan-Apple blood gives it the 
quality of being the earliest-ripening of the Crabs. It makes a handsome standard 
or free pyramidal bush. Miss Laing adds :—‘ The fruits preserved in various 
ways like the Siberian Crab make an agreeable and ornamental dessert dish ; 
they may be also preserved like Morello Cherries, in gin, -with a flavour of brandy, 
or boiled in syiiip.’ ”— George Paul. 
