Fruit, large, three inches and a quarter wide, and two inches and a half high; roundish and slightly depressed, with obscure ribs on the sides. Skin, smooth and unctuous to the touch, dark green at first, becoming pale as it ripens, and sometimes with a faint blush near the stalk. Eye, small and closed, set in a slightly depressed basin. Stalk, three quarters of an inch long, curved, thickest at the insertion, and placed in a narrow and rather deep cavity. Flesh, yellowish, tinged with green, tender, crisp, juicy, sugary, with a rich, brisk, and aromatic flavor.
An apple of first-rate quality for all culinary purposes, and excellent also for the dessert; it is in use from November to April.
The tree is a strong and vigorous grower, hardy, and an excellent bearer; succeeds well in almost any situation.
This variety is of American origin, and was introduced to this country by the London Horticultural Society, who received it from David Hosack, Esq., M.D., of New York. It is extensively grown in the middle states of America, where the Newtown Pippin does not attain perfection, and for which it forms a good substitute.
301. RIBSTON PIPPIN.—Fors.
- Identification.—[Fors. Treat.] ed. 7, 124. [Hort. Soc Cat.] ed. 3, n. 704. [Lind. Guide], 80. [Diel Kernobst.] xi. 93. [Down. Fr. Amer.] 131. [Rog. Fr. Cult.] 88.
- Synonymes.—Glory of York, [Hort. Soc. Cat.] ed. 1, 946. Formosa Pippin, Ibid. 341. Traver’s Pippin, Ibid. 1117. [Diel Kernobst.] vi. B. 108.
- Figures.—[Pom. Mag.] t. 141. [Ron. Pyr. Mal.] pl. xxvii. f. 5. Pom. Lond. [Brook. Pom. Brit.] pl. lxxxviii. f. 6.
Fruit, medium sized; roundish, and irregular in its outline, caused by several obtuse and unequal angles on its sides. Skin, greenish-yellow, changing as it ripens to dull yellow, and marked with broken streaks of pale red on the shaded side; but dull red changing to clear faint crimson, marked with streaks of deeper crimson, on the side next the sun, and generally russety over the base. Eye, small and closed, set in an irregular basin, which is generally netted with russet. Stalk, half-an-inch long, slender, and generally inserted its whole length in a round cavity, which is surrounded with russet. Flesh, yellow, firm, crisp, rich and sugary, charged with a powerful aromatic flavor.
An apple so well known, as to require neither description nor encomium. It is in greatest perfection during November and December; but with good management will keep till March.
The tree is in general hardy, a vigorous grower, and a good bearer, provided it is grown in a dry soil; but if otherwise it is almost sure to canker. In all the southern and middle counties of England it succeeds well as an open standard; but in the north, and in Scotland, it requires the protection of a wall to bring it to perfection. Nicol calls it “a universal apple for these kingdoms; it will thrive at John O’Groat’s, while it deserves a place at Exeter or at Cork.”