CALVILLE IMPÉRIALE.
alville Impériale (Beschrijving der vruchtsoorten [Description of fruit varieties], third series, N°. 159).
This variety was sent to Boskoop some years ago by Mr. X. de bavay from Vilvoorde (Belgium), strongly recommended; because of Mr. de bavay's decease shortly after this shipment we have not been able to find out where he found this apple. The Catalogue of the Fruits (N°. 112, page 9) just mentions the name; narcisse gaujard (Catalogue, 1865-1866) mentions a Calville Impérial, ripe in August, which therefore cannot be the apple we are discussing here.
SHAPE: very regular, often a bit lopsided.
SIZE: third grade.
EYE: closed; broad, short sepals; shallow basin surrounded by medium sized ribs which cover the apple.
STALK: rather long, thin, woody, cavity medium wide and shallow, sometimes russeted, thin and ray-like.
The COLOUR of this smooth apple is almost entirely violet-like purple, a shade lighter at the shadow side sothat the yellow-green ground colour becomes visible; the colour is rather different from that of the Red Winter-Calville. When completely ripe the skin becomes waxy.
The FLESH is yellowish white, red veins under the skin and around the core when ripe.
TIME OF USE: December - February. Second grade for dessert.
The TREE grows stronger than the Red Winter-Calville; summer twigs are violet-brown with round grey lenticels; buds are flat. Suitable for pyramid-shape.