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THE SYKEHOUSE APPLE.

The original tree of this variety was found growing in an orchard, in a small village called Sykehouse, in Yorkshire; in which county it is much esteemed, and is generally called the Sykehouse Russett; under which name it was sent by Messrs. PERFECT, of Pontefract, to Messrs. LEE and KENNEDY, of Hammersmith. In the northern counties, however, its fruit generally possesses too great a portion of keen acid; and it is greatly improved, both in appearance and quality, when cultivated in the more favorable climate of the vicinity of London.

The trees grow freely, are of erect habit, and, when well established, bear fruit abundantly. Shoots slender, and very downy towards the tops. Leaves pointed, deeply serrated, downy underneath. Fruit small, being seldom equal in size with the largest which is delineated; roundish, much flattened at both ends; the eye is open, irregular, and sunk deep in the fruit. Stalk short, deeply inserted. The colour of the skin is described by the Yorkshire gardeners as green, with a good deal of russett; but the specimen we have selected will serve to shew that on an espalier tree, in a good season, it becomes of a hand

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some red on the side next the sun, having a considerable portion of russett brown around the eye, and in streaks and patches over the whole surface. The flesh is greenish, or very little inclining to yellow when fully ripe; of rather firm consistence, but of pleasant flavour, and extraordinary richness. Ripens in January, but becomes improved if carefully kept until February. It is justly regarded as one of the best dessert apples at present known.

Our Specimen was obtained from Mr. KIRKE, in the autumn of 1814.