A dessert apple of second-rate quality; but excellent for all culinary purposes; it is in use from November to January. It is necessary in storing this apple that care should be taken to prevent fermentation, by which its pleasant acidity is destroyed.
The tree, though vigorous in its young state, never attains a great size. Its shoots are long, slender and downy. It is an abundant and regular bearer.
This apple is called Pomme de Jerusalem, from, as some fancy, the core having four cells, which are disposed in the form of a cross, but this is not a permanent character, as they vary from three to five.
Diel erred in applying the synonymes of Knoop’s Pigeon bigarré to this variety, which is very distinct from the Pigeonnet.
266. PIGEONNET.—Duh.
- Identification.—[Duh. Arb. Fruit.] i. 305. Calvel. Traité, iii. 32. [Hort. Soc. Cat.] ed. 3, n. 583.
- Synonymes.—Pigeon Bigarré, [Knoop. Pom.] 62. Passe-pomme Panachée, Ibid. 132. Pigeonnet Blanc, [Hort. Soc. Cat.]ed 1, 786. Pigeonnet Blanc d’Eté, acc. [Hort. Soc. Cat.] ed. 3. Pigeonnet Gros de Rouen, [Hort. Soc. Cat.] ed. 1, 787. Museau de Lièvre. [Bon. Jard.] American Peach, of some, acc. [Hort. Soc. Cat.] Taubenartige, Taubenfarbige Apfel, [Christ Handworter], 110.
- Figures.—[Jard. Fruit.] ed. 2, pl. 98. Poit. et. Turpin. t. 80.
Fruit, below medium size, two inches and a quarter wide, and the same in height; oblato-ovate. Skin, pale greenish-yellow on the shaded side; but entirely covered with red on the side next the sun, and striped and rayed with darker red, some of the stripes extending to the shaded side. Eye, small and open, with erect segments, set in a slightly depressed basin. Stalk, short and thick, inserted in a rather shallow cavity. Flesh, white and delicate, of an agreeable acidulated and perfumed flavor.
A dessert fruit of second-rate quality; in use during August and September.