THE 
FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
PINE-APPLE LADY BEATRICE LAMBTON. 
[Plate 482.] 
fDT iis with inucli satisfaction that we open 
'0 onr volnme for 1870 with a portrait of 
^ one of the noblest and handsomest varieties 
of the king of fruits which has yet been ob¬ 
tained. It is one of about thirty seedlings 
raised some few years since from the Montserrat, 
at Lambton Castle, by Mr. Stevens, who was 
then gardener there ; and it has since been 
proved to be both distinct and desirable by 
Mr. Hunter, wdio has also become famous for 
his titanic clusters of high-class grapes. We 
are indebted to the latter gentleman for the fine 
specimen, wdiicli Mr. Rosenberg has faithfully 
portrayed, and of which portrait M. De Panne- 
maeker has given in the annexed plate a very 
accurate reproduction. Other distinct varieties 
of considerable promise, have, we believe, been 
observed amongst the seedlings, as well as some 
which are remarkable as curiosities. 
We learn from Mr. Hunter that the variety 
now figured, named Lad}' Beatrice Lambton, 
is somewhat taller than the Smooth-leaved 
Cayenne, and more erect in its habit of growth. 
The leaves are dark green and prickly at the 
edge, the spines being strong and widely set, 
about four to the inch. The flowers are purple. 
The fruit is very large, pyramidal, from four¬ 
teen to fifteen pips in depth, and averaging 
about 10 lb. in weight (it has been grown 
to 11 lb. 7 oz.), the individual pips being 
broad,* measuring an inch across, plump when 
properly swelled, of a deep orange colour in the 
prominent parts, yellower in the furrows, the 
scales or bracts subtending each pip being of 
a bright coppery-red. It will thus be seen 
that it is really both a noble and a handsome 
fruit. 
The cprality also is of a high order of merit. 
As regards its flesh and flavour, the former, in 
the examples we have examined, was of a pale 
semi-transparent yellow, with soft yellow fibres 
towards the firmer axis or centre, and exceed¬ 
ingly tender and melting towards the circum- 
No. 18. IMPERIAL SERIES, 
ference. The flavour was rich and excellent, 
with very abundant refreshing juice. Mr. 
Hunter informs us that in the case of a fruit 
of 10 lb. weight, cut at Christmas, 1878, and 
used for dessert at the Castle, he poured from 
the dish when it was brought from table 
three-fourths of a tumblerful of the syrupy 
juice, and our experience cj^uite accords with 
this statement. This very abundant juice is, 
in truth, one of its characteristic features, and 
one which points to its great value as a summer 
fruit. When ripened in spring, it is found to 
be quite equal to the Cayenne and Charlotte 
Rothschild ; indeed, Mr. W. Thomson, of 
Clovenfords, states that having often tasted it 
both in summer aud winter, he is of opinion 
that while it far exceeds in size the Enville, 
which it resembles in shape, it equals the Queen 
and Smooth Cayenne in flavour, and in this 
respect far excels them in winter. Air. D. 
Thomson speaks approvingly of its very free 
fruiting habit, and also bears testimony to its 
beauty and good equalities, it being, he remarks, 
“ the most handsome pine in cultivation,”_and 
in the winter season “ remarkably juicy, and 
much better flavoured than Smooth Cayenne or 
Charlotte Rothschild.” The fruit grows close 
down in the heart of the qilant, quite the oppo¬ 
site of its parent, which throws its fruit out 
of the foliage. 
Various causes, which it is not necessary here 
to discuss, have consqiired to prevent this fine 
new Pine Horn being put into commerce at an 
earlier period, one of which, we learn, is its 
shyness in producing suckers. Its merit has, 
from the first, been fully appreciated at Lamb- 
ton, both in the Castle, and in the Garden. A 
sufficient stock has now been obtained to permit 
of its being offered to the public ; and for this 
purpose it has passed into the hands of Messrs. 
Ireland and Thomson, of the Craigleith 
Nurseries, Edinburgh, by whom it is being 
distributed.—T. AIoore. 
15 
