This variety was raised by Mr. Padley, gardener to his Majesty George III., at Hampton Court. According to Rogers, Mr. Padley was a native of Yorkshire, and after coming to London and filling a situation of respectability, he was appointed foreman in the kitchen garden at Kew. “On the death of the celebrated ‘Capability Brown’ Mr. G. Haverfield was removed from Kew to Hampton Court, and took Mr. Padley with him as foreman. On the death of Haverfield, Padley’s interest with his sovereign out-weighed all the interests of other candidates, though urged by the most influential persons about Court. ‘No, no, no,’ said his Majesty, ‘it is Padley’s birthright.’”
256. PARRY’S PEARMAIN.—Hort.
- Identification.—[Hort. Soc. Cat.] ed. 3, n. 554. [Ron. Pyr. Mal.] 41.
- Figure.—[Ron. Pyr. Mal.] pl. xxi. f. 3.
Fruit, small; oval, and regular in its shape. Skin, almost entirely covered with dark dull red, and striped with brighter red, except a portion on the shaded side, which is green; the whole surface is thickly strewed with small russety dots, which give it a speckled appearance. Eye, small and open, set in a shallow basin. Stalk, sometimes short and fleshy as represented in the accompanying figure; and at other times, about half-an-inch long, and woody, but still retaining the swollen boss at its union with the fruit. Flesh, firm in texture, crisp, very juicy and pleasantly acid, with a sweet, brisk, and poignant flavor.
A nice sharp-flavored dessert apple; but considered only of second-rate quality; it is in use from December to March.
257. PATCH’S RUSSET—Hort.
- Identification.—[Hort. Soc. Cat.] ed. 3, n. 747. [Lind. Guide], 92.
Fruit, below medium size, two inches and a half wide, and two inches and a quarter high; oval, and slightly angular on its sides. Skin, greenish-yellow, entirely covered with thin grey russet. Eye, small, with long acuminate segments, set in a narrow and irregular basin. Stalk, an inch long, very slender, inserted in a round, even, and deep cavity. Flesh, yellowish-white, crisp, brisk and aromatic.