This variety was raised by Stephen Dowell, Esq., of Braygrove, Berkshire, from a pip of the Ribston Pippin, to which it bears a close resemblance both in shape and flavor.
95. DOWNTON PIPPIN.—Knight.
- Identification.—[Pom. Heref.] [Hort. Trans.] vol. i., p. 145. [Lind. Guide], 28. [Hort. Soc. Cat.] ed. 3, n. 217. [Down. Fr. Amer.] 82.
- Synonymes.—Elton Pippin, [Fors. Treat.] 135. Elton Golden Pippin, [Salisb. Or.] 130. Knight’s Pippin, acc. [Hort. Soc. Cat.] ed. 3. Knight’s Golden Pippin, Ibid. St. Mary’s Pippin, Ibid. Downton’s Pepping, [Diel Kernobst.] v. B. 37.
- Figures.—[Pom. Heref.] t. 9. [Pom. Mag.] t. 113.
Fruit, small, two inches broad, and an inch and three quarters high; somewhat cylindrical, and flattened at the ends, bearing a resemblance to the Golden Pippin. Skin, smooth, of a fine lemon yellow color, and with a slight tinge of red next the sun, marked with a few traces of delicate russet, and strewed with numerous pale brown dots. Eye, large and quite open, with long, flat, acuminate segments, set in a wide, flat, and shallow basin. Stalk, slender, half-an-inch long, and inserted in a shallow cavity which is lined with delicate russet. Flesh, yellowish white, delicate, firm, crisp, and juicy, with a rich, brisk, vinous and somewhat aromatic flavor.
A dessert apple of first-rate quality, resembling the Golden Pippin both in size, shape, and color, as well as flavor. It is in use from November to January.
The tree is a strong, healthy, and vigorous grower, a most abundant bearer, and attains about the middle size. It may be grown as an open dwarf, and is well suited for espaliers. The fruit is also valuable for the cider it produces, the specific gravity of the juice being 1080.
This excellent variety was raised by Thomas Andrew Knight, Esq., of Downton Castle, from the seed of the Isle of Wight Orange Pippin, impregnated with the pollen of the Golden Pippin, and the original tree is still in existence at Wormsley Grange, Herefordshire.
96. DRAP D’OR.—Duh.
- Identification.—[Duh. Arb. Fruit], i. 290. [Hort. Soc. Cat.] ed. 3, n. 219. [Down. Fr. Amer.] 71.
- Synonymes.—Vrai Drap d’Or, [Duh. Arb. Fruit], i. 290. Drap d’Or Vrai, [Poin. Ami. Jard.] i. 192. Bay Apple, acc. [Hort. Soc. Cat.] Bonne de Mai, Ibid. Goldzaugapfel, [Diel. Kernobst.] iii. p. 115.
- Figures.—[Duh. Arb. Fruit], t. i. xii. 4. [Ron. Pyr. Mal.] pl. xxvi. f. 2.
Fruit, large, three inches and a quarter broad, and two inches and three quarters high; roundish, sometimes inclining to cylindrical, or rather oblato-cylindrical. Skin, smooth and shining, of a fine pale yellow color intermixed with a greenish tinge, which is disposed in faint stripes extending from the base to the apex, on the shaded side; but of a clearer, and deeper yellow on the side next the sun, the whole marked with patches of delicate, dark brown russet, and strewed with numerous russety dots; sometimes there is a faint tinge of red on the side next the sun. Eye, small and closed, with acuminate segments, which are covered with white tomentum, and set in a wide, deep, irregular and plaited basin. Stalk, very short, and somewhat fleshy, inserted in a wide, rather shallow, and smooth cavity. Flesh, yellowish-white, tender, crisp, and juicy, with a brisk, vinous, and sugary flavor.