Fruit, medium sized; roundish or rather oblate, with prominent ribs on the sides, which terminate in four, and sometimes five considerable ridges at the crown, very much in the character of the London Pippin. It is sometimes of an ovate shape, caused by the stalk being prominent instead of depressed, in which case the ribs on the sides, and ridges round the eye, are less apparent. Skin, deep lively green, changing as it ripens to yellowish green, on the shaded side; but covered on the side next the sun with dull red, which changes to orange where it blends with the yellow ground; the whole considerably marked with thin brown russet, and russety dots. Eye, rather large and open, with short segments, and set in an angular basin. Stalk, very short, not more than a quarter of an inch long, and inserted in a shallow cavity. Flesh, greenish white, firm, crisp, juicy, sugary, and with a particularly rich and vinous flavor, partaking somewhat of the Nonpareil and Ribston, but particularly the latter.
This is a first-rate dessert apple, in use in November, and possessing the desirable property of keeping till April or May.
This variety originated in the garden of Mr. John Harris, of Broomfield, near Chelmsford, and was first introduced to public notice in the autumn of 1848.
15. BALDWIN.—Ken.
- Identification.—[Ken. Amer. Or.] 41. [Hort. Soc. Cat.] ed. 3, n. 22. [Down. Fr. Amer.] 98.
- Synonymes.—Red Baldwin, Acc. [Hort. Soc. Cat.] ed. 2. Butter’s, Ibid. Woodpecker, Ibid.
Fruit, large, three inches and a half wide, and about three inches high; ovato-conical. Skin, smooth, yellow on the shaded side; and on the side next the sun, deep orange, covered with stripes of bright red, which sometimes extend over the whole surface to the shaded side, and marked with large russety dots. Eye, closed, set in a deep, narrow, and plaited basin. Stalk, about an inch long, slender, and inserted in a deep cavity, from which issue ramifying patches of russet. Flesh, yellowish, crisp, juicy, and pleasantly acid, with a rich and agreeable flavor.
A culinary apple, in season from November to March. The tree is vigorous, and an abundant bearer; but like the generality of the American sorts, it does not attain the size, or flavor in this country, which it does in its native soil.
This is considered one of the finest apples in the Northern States of America, and is extensively grown in Massachussets, for the supply of the Boston Market.