Although there is no record of this variety in the writings of any pomological author before Mr. Lindley, it is nevertheless a very old English apple. In an ancient note-book of an ancestor of Sir John Trevelyan, Bart., of Nettlecombe, in Somersetshire, so early as 1580, the “Lounden Peppen” is mentioned among the “names of Apelles which I had their graffes from Brentmarch, from one Mr. Pace.” From this we may learn, that we are not to take for granted the non-existence of any variety, simply because there is no notice of it, previous to the period when it may have been first recorded, in works on pomology.
212. LONG NOSE.—H.
Fruit, rather below medium size, two inches and a half high, and about the same in width at the base; conical, with prominent angles on the sides. Skin, smooth and shining, grass green, changing to greenish yellow, with a cloud of bright red on the side exposed to the sun. Eye, closed, set in a shallow basin. Stalk, a quarter of an inch long, fleshy at the insertion, sometimes with a fleshy protuberance on one side of it, and inserted in a narrow, shallow, and russety cavity. Flesh, yellowish-white, crisp, and tender, with a slightly sweet but rather indifferent flavor.
An apple of little merit, being of no value either for culinary purposes or the dessert; it is in season from October to December, and is met with in the Berkshire Orchards.
213. LONGSTART. H.
- Synonyme.—Westmoreland Longstart.
Fruit, medium sized; roundish, narrowing towards the eye, somewhat like the old Nonpareil in shape. Skin, almost entirely covered with red, which is streaked with deeper red; except on the shaded side where there is a patch of greenish-yellow, tinged with thin red. Eye, partially open, with broad, flat segments, and set in a shallow and plaited basin. Stalk, about an inch long, inserted in a wide cavity, which is lined with russet. Flesh, white, crisp, tender, juicy, with a pleasant sub-acid flavor.
A very excellent culinary apple; comes into use during October, and lasts till Christmas.
This variety is much grown about Lancaster, and some parts of Westmoreland, where it is a great favorite among the cottagers.