Orchards, Trees & Orchard Produce

Some London & Middlesex Fruit

Dessert Apples
Barchard’s Seedling – raised by Mr Higgs, Head Gardener for R Barchard of Putney, recorded 1853, grown by market gardeners for London in 1880s. London Pearmain. Morris’s Russet raised by Morris, a market gardener in Brentford, Middlesex, described 1851. Scarlet Pearmain introduced in about 1800 by Bell, the land steward of the Duke of Northumberland, Sion House, Middlesex. Storey’s Seedling raised by ROC Storey of Northolt Park, London in 1927. The following dessert varieties were raised by MB Crane at the John Innes Horticultural Institute, Merton (now administratively in Surrey) during the first half of the 20th century: Chad’s Favourite, Merton Beauty, Merton Charm, Merton Delight, Merton Joy, Merton Knave, Merton Pearmain, Merton Pippin, Merton Prolific, Merton Reinette, Merton Russet, Merton Worcester.

Cooking Apples
Hounslow Wonder introduced by nurseryman Spooner from Hounslow, Middlesex, recorded 1910. Reverend W Wilks named after the vicar of Shirley, Surrey and the Secretary of the Royal Horticultural Society from 1888-1919, raised by the Veitch nurseries of King’s Road, Chelsea in 1904 from a Ribston Pippin and Peasgood Nonsuch. ‘A universal winner on the show bench.’ Fruits often weigh over 21bs each. Flesh creamy-white, quite sweet and well-flavoured. Royal Jubilee / Jubilee / Graham raised by John Graham of Hounslow, Middlesex, recorded 1888, and introduced in 1883, Queen Victoria’s Jubilee year. Once recommended for frost pockets, and still popular in foothills of the Alps.

Dual Purpose Apples
Cellini raised by nurseryman Leonard Phillips, Vauxhall, introduced in 1828. Popular with London’s market gardeners in the latter 19th century. Grange’s Pearmain raised by James Grange, a market gardener of Kingsland, Middlesex.

Other Apples
Fearn’s Pippin.

Pears
Merton Pride.

Plums
Kirke’s Blue, Pond’s Seedling, Prince of Wales.

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