The tree is a strong, healthy, and vigorous grower, and an abundant bearer.
This variety was raised by Dr. Van Mons, and named in honor of his friend Dr. Aug. Friedr. Adr. Diel.
295. REINETTE FRANCHE.—Duh.
- Identification.—[Duh. Arb. Fruit], i. 300. [Bret. Ecole], ii. 474. [Knoop Pom.] 53, t. ix. [Lind. Guide], 56.
- Synonymes.—Reinette Blanche, [Quint. Inst.] i. 201. Reinette Blanche dite Prime, [Merlet Abrégé]. Reinette Blanche or Franche, [Mill. Dict.] French Reinette, [Rog. Fr. Cult.] 104. Franz Renette, [Mayer Pom. Franc.] 3, No. 46. Reinette de Normandie, [Christ Handb.] No, 92. Weisse Reinette, Salz. Pom. No. 22. Französische Edelreinette, [Diel Kernobst.] i. 120.
- Figure.—[Nois. Jard. Fruit], ed. 2, pl. 93.
Fruit, above medium size, three inches and a quarter wide, and two inches and a half high; roundish-oblate, slightly angular on its sides, and uneven round the eye. Skin, smooth, thickly covered with brown russety spots; greenish-yellow, changing as it ripens to pale-yellow; and sometimes tinged with red when fully exposed to the sun. Eye, partially open, with long green segments, set in a wide, rather deep, and, prominently plaited basin. Stalk, short, and thick, deeply inserted in a round cavity, which is lined with greenish-grey russet. Flesh, yellowish-white, tender, delicate, crisp and juicy, with a rich, sugary, and musky flavor.
A dessert apple of first-rate quality; in use from November to April. Roger Schabol says, it has been kept two years, in a cupboard excluded from the air.
The tree is a free grower, and an abundant bearer; but subject to canker, unless grown in light soil, and a dry and warm situation.
This is a very old French apple, varying very much in quality according to the soil in which it is grown; but so highly esteemed in France as to take as much precedence of all other varieties, as the Ribston and Golden Pippin does in this country.