A first-rate dessert apple; in use from December to April.
The tree is a free grower, with long slender shoots, and when a little aged, is a very abundant bearer.
IDENTIFICATION.--Diel Kernobst. i. B. 78. Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3, n. 647.
Fruit, below medium size, two inches wide, and two and a quarter high; oblate, even, and handsomely shaped. Skin, at first yellowish-white, but changes by keeping to a fine yellow color; on the side next the sun it is marked with several crimson spots and dots, strewed all over with russety dots, which are large and brownish on the shaded side, but small and greyish on the other. Eye, open, with short segments, set in a wide and rather shallow basin. Stalk, half-an-inch long, inserted in a deep and russety cavity, with sometimes a fleshy boss at its base. Flesh, white, firm, crisp, delicate and juicy, with a rich, sugary, and spicy flavor.
A beautiful and excellent dessert apple of the first quality; it is in use from December to March.
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.
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.