Apple Trees from Bernwode Fruit Trees. Old Traditional Varieties 4.

BARNACK BEAUTY Raised by a cottager in 1840 at Barnack village, Northants, near Stamford, but not introduced until 1870 by Browns of Stamford. A late dessert apple with unusual oval fruit, flushed deep red, juicy, crunchy and with an intense flavour. It may also be used for cooking. Strong growing, spreading trees, with decorative blossom. Fruit stores until March. It is said to be one of the best varieties for chalk soil, though it is always the rootstock that has to contend with particular soils.

BASCOMBE MYSTERY An old English apple that has been grown at Swanley, Kent since 1900, but its origin is unknown. It was in the collection of the London Horticultural Society in 1831. It is a good dessert apple, also with a history of culinary use. The medium sized apples are obscurely ribbed on the sides, with skin of uniform grassy green, sometimes flecked white, turning more yellowish as it ripens. The flesh is crisp, juicy and perfumed. It is ripe in November/December, but can improve with storing. Taylor records that it can keep for up to 16 months.

BAUMANN'S REINETTE Raised by Baumann in Alsace, or possibly by Van Mons in Belgium, and first recorded in 1811. It has been long grown in Britain and was in the London Horticultural Society collection at Chiswick by 1842. A handsome, dark crimson, dessert apple with crisp juicy flesh, faintly flavoured of strawberries. It crops well and is just right for Christmas. It can also be used for cooking, keeping its shape.

BAXTER’S PEARMAIN A vigorous tree which was grown in Norfolk as early as 1821. Greenish yellow fruit, with orange tinges, red streaks and occasional russeting. The crisp fruit is dual purpose, with white, juicy, tangy flesh, and is a richly flavoured eating apple which also keeps its shape when cooked. Heavy crops, which store well until January or February.

BAZELEY A very rare and old Buckinghamshire variety originating at, and now only found in, The Lee, near Great Missenden. It has also been called Baseley, Baysley or Bezeley, the origin being that it was deemed the 'Best of the Lee', an area where few apples grew well. At one time, most of the farms and cottages had a Bazeley. It was brought to notice by the late Susan Cowdy, who was renowned locally in the Chilterns, at the Lee. She said the apple was much used in olden days for mincemeat and mince pies, due to its sharpness and suitable texture, staying intact when cooked. We first learnt of it from a former employee and friend, Sylvia Firnberg, who brought scion wood to us from the tree of the actor Geoffrey Palmer, of Hunt's Green. Our thanks to all concerned. The apple is a medium sized, long and conical, green cooker, turning yellow, that could be treated as an eater after storing. It is crisp, sweet and acid, keeping its shape and acidity when cooked. Pick in October and store until January. Freely bearing spurs.

BEACHAMWELL Also called Beachamwell Seedling and, originally, Motteux’s Seedling. Mr Motteux of Beachamwell, in Norfolk, raised it, probably in the middle of the 18th century, according to Bunyard. The fruit is small with a pale yellow skin, tinged red on the sunny side, with occasional russet. The yellow flesh is juicy and Hogg calls it “a rich and deliciously flavoured dessert apple, of the highest excellence”. Bunyard, in 1920, reported that it was almost out of cultivation. Ripe by November and lasting to April, it is a hardy, good bearer.

BEAUTY OF BATH One of the most popular early dessert apples for well over a hundred years, sometimes eaten as early as July. It was introduced in 1864 by Cooling’s nursery, of Bath, though it was probably raised earlier. Small, brightly coloured fruit, which is sweet when fully ripe but also has a good tang. Crisp and juicy if eaten straight from the tree, but the fruit soon softens and will not store. Heavy crops, though the trees flower early and the blossom may be damaged by frost. Good for cordons, as the trees readily form fruiting spurs. The fruit may drop suddenly and straw was once placed under the trees as a precaution against damage. Part tip-bearing.

BEAUTY OF BEDFORD A mid-season dessert apple, raised by Laxtons of Bedford in the early twentieth century. Lady Sudeley x Beauty of Bath. A very colourful, medium sized fruit, with a crisp texture and good flavour. Ripe in September, it will store for a month or so.