Identification.—Ron. Pyr. Mal. 46.
Synonyme.—Best Pool, Fors. Treat. 94.
Figure.—Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. xxiii. f. 8.
Fruit, above medium size, two inches and three quarters wide, and nearly three inches high; conical, and handsomely shaped. Skin, yellow, with a few markings of red on the shaded side; but where exposed to the sun it is almost entirely washed and striped with fine clear red. Eye, small, and partially open, set in a rather deep and plaited basin, which is surrounded with five prominent knobs or ridges. Stalk, short and thick, inserted in a rather shallow cavity, with generally a fleshy protuberance on one side of it, and surrounded with yellowish brown russet, which extends over a considerable portion of the base. Flesh, white, tender, and juicy, with a fine, sugary, and vinous flavor.
An excellent apple either for culinary or dessert use. It is in season from November to March.
The tree is hardy, a vigorous grower, and an abundant bearer. The flowers are very late in expanding, and are, therefore, not liable to be injured by spring frosts.
30. BEST BACHE.—Knight.
Identification.—Pom. Heref. t. 16. Lind. Guide, 194.
Synonyme.—Bache’s Kernel, Acc. Pom. Heref.
Fruit, medium sized; oblong, with obtuse angles on the sides, which extend to the apex. Skin, yellow, shaded with pale red, and streaked with darker red, interspersed with a few black specks. Eye, small, segments short and flat. Stalk, short and stout.
Specific gravity of the juice 1073.
A cider apple, grown in the south-east part of Herefordshire.
31. BETSEY.—Hort.
Identification.—Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 57.
Fruit, small, about two inches wide, and an inch and three quarters high; roundish, inclining to conical and flattened. Skin, dark green at first, and considerably covered with ashy grey russet; but changing to pale yellow, and with a brownish tinge on the side next the sun. Eye, open, with short reflexed segments, and set in a very shallow depression. Stalk, short, about a quarter of an inch long, with a fleshy protuberance on one side of it, and inserted in a shallow and narrow cavity. Flesh, greenish yellow, tender, juicy, rich, and sugary.
A dessert apple of first-rate quality, in use from November to January.
32. BIGGS’S NONESUCH.—Hort.
Identification.—Hort. Trans. vol. I. p. 70. Lind. Guide, 88. Rog. Fr. Cult. 40.
Synonyme.—Bigg’s Nonsuch, Fors. Treat. 116.
Figure.—Brook. Pom. Brit. pl. lxxxviii., f. 3.
Fruit, medium sized; round, and broadest at the base. Skin, yellow, striped with bright crimson next the sun. Eye, open, with long reflexed segments, set in a wide and deep basin. Stalk, short, and deeply inserted. Flesh, yellowish, tender, and juicy.
An excellent culinary apple, in use from October to December. It is fit for use immediately it is gathered off the tree, and has a strong resemblance to the old Nonesuch, but keeps much longer.
The tree is hardy and an excellent bearer; attains to the medium size, and is less liable to the attacks of the Woolly Aphis than the old Nonesuch.
This variety was raised by Mr. Arthur Biggs, the intelligent and scientific gardener to Isaac Swainson, Esq., of Twickenham, Middlesex.
33. BIRMINGHAM PIPPIN.—Hort.
Identification.—Lind. Guide, 38. Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 59.
Synonymes.—Grumas’s Pippin, Fors. Treat. 105. Brummage Pippin, and Grummage Pippin, Acc. Hort. Soc. Cat. Stone Pippin of the Nursery Catalogues.
Fruit, small, two inches and a quarter wide, and an inch and three quarters high; round, and slightly flattened. Skin, pale dingy yellow, mottled and veined with very thin grey russet, and russety round the base. Eye, small, quite open, frequently without any segments, and placed in a very slight depression. Stalk, short, scarcely at all depressed. Flesh, greenish, very firm, crisp, and juicy, briskly and pleasantly flavored.
A very good dessert apple; in use from January to June.
It is remarkable for the firmness and density of its flesh, and Mr. Lindley says, its specific gravity is greater than that of any other apple with which he was acquainted.
The tree is of diminutive size, with short but very stout shoots. It is a good bearer.
This variety is supposed to be a native of Warwickshire. It is what is generally known in the nurseries, under the name of Stone Pippin, but the Gogar Pippin is also known by that name.
34. BLAND’S JUBILEE.—H.
Synonymes.—Jubilee Pippin, Hort. Trans. vol. v., 400. Bland’s Jubilee Rose Pip, Nursery Catalogues.
Fruit, large, three inches and a quarter wide, and two inches and three quarters high; round, narrowing a little towards the eye, and obscurely ribbed. Skin, dull yellow tinged with green, but changing to clear yellow as it ripens; marked with russet in the basin of the eye, and strewed over its surface with large russety dots. Eye, small and closed, with long acuminate segments, set in a narrow, deep, and even basin. Stalk, short, inserted in a moderately deep cavity. Flesh, yellowish, tender, crisp, juicy, sugary, and perfumed.
An excellent apple, either for culinary purposes, or the dessert. It is in use from October to January.
This was raised by Michael