Duck's Bill
Apple
DUCK'S BILL
Origin and History
This apple is grown extensively in the County of Sussex, where it is met with in almost every orchard. It is sometimes locally called Winter Pearmain, but is quite distinct from the Old Winter Pearmain of other parts of the country.
Tree
The tree grows well and freely. It is very hardy and a good bearer.
Fruit
Size and Form: Large, three inches and a quarter wide and about the same in height; of a true Pearmain shape, somewhat five-sided towards the crown.
Skin: Smooth and shining. At first greenish yellow, marked with faint streaks of dull red on the shaded side, and entirely covered with deep red on the side next the sun. Strewed all over with small russety dots.
Calyx and Basin: Eye large and open, with short segments, set in a pretty deep and prominently plaited basin.
Stem and Cavity: Stalk very short, not exceeding a quarter of an inch long, inserted in a deep funnel-shaped cavity lined with russet.
Flesh and Flavor: Yellowish, firm, crisp, juicy, and sugary, with a brisk, piquant, and very pleasant flavour.
Season
In season from December to April or May.
Uses
Highly esteemed and chiefly suited for culinary purposes, but can take its place on the dessert table with credit when required to do so. A very handsome fruit that always fetches a high price in the markets.
Subtypes and Variants
Known also as Sussex Winter Pearmain or Sussex Scarlet Pearmain.
Source: Woolhope Naturalists Field Club, The Herefordshire Pomona (1885)
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
View original book sources (1)
— Woolhope Naturalists Field Club, The Herefordshire Pomona (1885)
- DUCK'S BILL.
(Syn: Sussex Winter Pearmain; Sussex Scarlet Pearmain.)
This apple is grown extensively in the County of Sussex where it is met with in almost every orchard. It is sometimes locally called Winter Pearmain, but is quite distinct from the Old Winter Pearmain of other parts of the country.
Description.—Fruit, large, three inches and a quarter wide, and about the same in height; of a true Pearmain shape, somewhat five sided towards the crown. Skin, smooth and shining, at first of a greenish yellow, marked with faint streaks of dull red on the shaded side, and entirely covered with deep red on the side next the sun, and strewed all over with small russety dots. Eye, large and open, with short segments, set in a pretty deep and prominently plaited basin. Stalk, very short, not exceeding a quarter of an inch long, inserted in a deep funnel-shaped cavity, which is lined with russet. Flesh, yellowish, firm, crisp, juicy and sugary, with a brisk, piquant, and very pleasant flavour.
This highly esteemed apple is chiefly suited for culinary purposes, but can take its place on the dessert table with credit, when required to do so. It is a very handsome fruit and always fetches a high price in the markets. It is in season from December to April or May.
The tree grows well and freely. It is also very hardy, and a good bearer.