- Identification.—[Hort. Trans.] vol. iv. p. 522. [Hort. Soc. Cat.] ed. 3, n. 622. [Lind. Guide], 9.
Fruit, medium sized, two inches and three quarters wide, and two inches and a half high; roundish, irregular in its shape, caused by several obtuse ribs which extend into the basin of the eye, round which they form prominent ridges. Skin, greenish-yellow, nearly covered with red streaks, and strewed with russety dots. Eye, closed, and set in an angular basin. Stalk, short and thick, inserted in a round cavity. Flesh, yellow, firm, sweet, and pleasantly flavored.
A dessert apple, of such merit in Scotland as to be generally grown against a wall; but in the south, where it has to compete with the productions of a warmer climate, it is found to be only of second-rate quality. Ripe in August.
285. RED ASTRACHAN.—Hort.
- Identification.—[Hort. Trans.] vol. iv. p. 522. [Hort. Soc. Cat.] ed. 3, n. 17. [Lind. Guide], 6. [Down. Fr. Amer.] 75. [Rog. Fr. Cult.] 33.
- Figures.—[Pom. Mag.] t. 123. [Ron. Pyr. Mal.] pl. v. f. 2.
Fruit, above the medium size, three inches and a quarter wide, and three inches high; roundish, and obscurely angular on its sides. Skin, greenish-yellow where shaded, and almost entirely covered with deep crimson on the side exposed to the sun, the whole surface covered with a fine delicate bloom. Eye, closed, set in a moderately deep and somewhat irregular basin. Stalk, short, deeply inserted in a russety cavity. Flesh, white, crisp, very juicy, sugary, briskly and pleasantly flavored.
An early dessert apple, but only of second-rate quality. It is ripe in August, and requires to be eaten when gathered from the tree, as it soon becomes meally.
This variety was imported from Sweden, by William Atkinson, Esq., of Grove End, Paddington, in 1816.
The tree does not attain a large size, but is healthy and vigorous, and an abundant bearer.