D'Arcy Spice
Apple
D'Arcy Spice
Origin and History
The origin of this variety is not entirely clear. It was discovered in the garden of the Hall, Toleshunt D'Arcy, in Essex, where a tree upwards of a century old remains standing. The variety was introduced to wider notice some years ago by Mr. John Harris of Baddow, near Chelmsford, under the name Baddow Pippin. Mr. Rivers subsequently renamed it Spring Ribston.
Tree
The tree is hardy, grows freely, and bears well.
Fruit
Size and Form: Medium sized, roundish or rather oblate, with prominent ribs on the sides terminating in four and sometimes five considerable ridges at the crown, very much in the character of the London Pippin. 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.
Stalk: Very short, not more than a quarter of an inch long, and inserted in a shallow cavity.
Calyx and Basin: Eye rather large and open, with short segments, and set in an angular basin.
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 surface is considerably marked with thin brown russet and russety dots.
Flesh and Flavor: Greenish white, firm, crisp, juicy, and sugary. Possesses a particularly rich and vinous flavor, partaking somewhat of the Ribston and Nonpareil, but particularly of the former.
Season and Storage
In season from November, but possesses the desirable property of keeping well till April or May.
Uses
A dessert apple of first-rate character. Not handsome in shape, nor attractive in appearance, but its excellent flavor will ensure its more extensive cultivation.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
View original book sources (1)
— Woolhope Naturalists Field Club, The Herefordshire Pomona (1885)
- D'ARCY SPICE.
[Syn : Baddow Pippin ; Spring Ribston.]
The origin of this excellent Apple is involved in some obscurity. It was met with in the garden of the Hall, Toleshunt D'Arcy, in Essex, where a tree upwards of a century old is still standing. Some years ago Mr. John Harris, of Baddow, near Chelmsford, first introduced it to public notice under the name of Baddow Pippin, and Mr. Rivers afterwards renamed it Spring Ribston.
Description.—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 surface is 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 flavour, partaking somewhat of the Ribston and Nonpareil, but particularly of the former.
This is a dessert apple of first-rate character, in season from November, but possessing the desirable property of keeping well till April or May. It is not handsome in shape, nor attractive in appearance, but its excellent flavour will ensure its more extensive cultivation. The tree is hardy, grows freely, and bears well.