Downton Pippin

Fruit, small, somewhat cylindrical, and flattened at the ends, bearing a resemblance to the Golden Pippin. Skin, smooth, of a fine lemon yellow colour, and with a slight tinge of red next the sun, marked with a few traces of delicate russet, and strewed with numerous pale brown dots. Eye, large, and quite open, with long, flat, pointed segments, set in a wide, flat, and shallow basin. Stamens, marginal or median; tube, short, funnel-shaped. Stalk, slender, half an inch long, and inserted in a shallow cavity, which is lined with a delicate russet. Flesh, yellowish white, delicate, firm, crisp, and juicy, with a rich, brisk, vinous, and somewhat aromatic flavour. Cells, obovate; axile, slit.

A dessert apple of first-rate quality, resembling the Golden Pippin both in size, shape, and colour, as well as flavour. It is in use from November to January.

The tree is a strong, healthy, and vigorous grower, a most abundant bearer, and attains about the middle size. It may be grown as an open dwarf, and is well suited for espaliers. The fruit is also valuable for the cider it produces, the specific gravity of the juice being 1080.

This excellent variety was raised by Thomas Andrew Knight, Esq., of Downton Castle, from the seed of the Isle of Wight Orange Pippin, impregnated with the pollen of the Golden Pippin, and the original tree is still in existence at Wormsley Grange, Herefordshire. My friend the Rev. C. II. Bulmer, Rector of Credenhill, near Hereford, informs me that mice have a great fondness for this apple, and will eat it with avidity.

Drap D'OR (Bay Apple; Early Summer Pippin)

Fruit, rather large; roundish, narrowing towards the eye, where it is ribbed. Skin, smooth and shining, of a fine pale yellow colour intermixed with a greenish tinge, which is disposed in faint stripes, extending from the base to the apex on the shaded side, but of a clearer and deeper yellow on the side next the sun, the whole marked with patches of delicate, dark brown russet, and strewed with numerous russety dots; sometimes there is a faint tinge of red on the side next the sun. Eye, small and closed, with acuminate segments, which are covered with white tomentum, and set in a wide, deep, irregular, and plaited basin. Stalk, very short, and somewhat fleshy, inserted in a wide, rather shallow, and smooth cavity. Flesh, yellowish, white, tender, crisp, and juicy, with a brisk, vinous, and sugary flavour.

A pretty good apple of second-rate quality, more suitable for culinary purposes than the dessert. It is in use from October to Christmas.

The tree is a healthy and free grower, attaining about the middle size, and is a free and early bearer, being generally well set with fruit buds. It requires a rich soil and warm situation.

There is another apple totally different from this to which the name of Drap ďOr is applied. See Fenouillet Jaunc.

Dredge's Beauty of Wilts. See Harvey's Pippin.