129. FORGE.—H.
Fruit, medium sized; roundish, obscurely ribbed, and sometimes narrowing towards the eye, where it is angular. Skin, smooth and shining, of a fine golden yellow color, strewed with mottles of crimson on the shaded side; and dark red marked with patches of deep crimson on the side exposed to the sun; sometimes when much exposed to the sun the yellow assumes a deep orange tinge. Eye, small and closed, set in an angular basin. Stalk, very short, not a quarter of an inch long, inserted in a small, round, and shallow cavity, surrounded with thick russet. Flesh, yellowish-white, tender, mellow, juicy, sweet, and finely perfumed.
A beautiful and valuable apple, suitable either for the dessert, culinary use, or for the manufacture of cider. It is in use from October to January.
The tree attains about the middle size, is perfectly hardy and healthy, and quite free from canker and disease. It is a most abundant and regular bearer.
I am surprised that this beautiful apple has hitherto escaped the notice of pomologists, it being so universally grown, and generally popular, in the district to which it belongs. In the north-eastern parts of Sussex, and the adjoining county of Surrey, it is extensively cultivated, and I believe there is scarcely a cottager’s garden where it is not to be met with, nor is there a cottager to whom its name is not as familiar as his own, it being considered to supply all the qualifications that a valuable apple is supposed to possess; and although this judgment is formed in contrast with the other varieties grown in the district, nevertheless, the Forge is a useful and valuable apple, particularly to a cottager, whether we consider its great productiveness, its uses as a dessert and excellent cooking apple, or the excellent cider which it produces. It is said to have originated at a blacksmith’s forge near East Grinstead.
130. FORMAN’S CREW.—Hort.
- Identification.—[Hort. Soc. Cat.] ed. 3, n. 256. [Lind. Guide], 69. [Rog. Fr. Cult.] 60.
- Figure.—[Pom. Mag.] t. 89.
Fruit, below medium size, two inches and a half high, and two inches wide; conical, and flattened at both ends. Skin, pale yellowish-green, with redish-brown on the side exposed to the sun, covered with pale, thin, yellowish-brown russet. Eye, small and open, set in a shallow and plaited basin. Stalk, short, not deeply inserted. Flesh, greenish-yellow, juicy, rich, and highly flavored, with much of the flavor of the Nonpareil and Golden Pippin.
An excellent dessert apple of first-rate quality; it comes into use in November, and keeps till April.