COX'S POMONA.
ox Pomona (Beschrijving der vruchtsoorten [Description of fruit varieties], third series, N°. 162).
Cox's Pomona (HOGG, the Fruit Manual, 3rd ed., page 13).
Mr. john cox from Redleaf (Tonbridge) in England wrote to one of the members of our Society that this apple's origin is a seedling from the orchard of Mr. H. COX from Colnbrooklawn, near Colnbrook, along the road from London to Windsor. This variety was sent to us by a number of foreign pomologists and is the same apple indeed.
SHAPE: very regular.
SIZE: first grade, sometimes enormous.
EYE: wide open, very large, usually without sepals, the deep basin just shows a circle of scars; if sepals would be present, one might have to call the eye half-open, judging by Hogg's description: "eye slightly open and deep", which we seldom noticed. The eye is in a broad and deep basin, surrounded by five broad and high ribs, continuing on the apple.
STALK: only 20 - 25 mms long, which is very short for such a big apple, brown, woody, in a broad and deep cavity, usually showing a thin, greyish russeting which may cover the apple around the apex.
The COLOUR is usually more lively than in our illustration; fine, greenish lenticels, smooth and shiny skin.
The FLESH is white, soft, rather fine, juicy, pleasantly sour, aromatic.
The core is medium sized (in proportion to the apple) with small, dark brown pips.
TIME OF USE: October and November. Decorative apple of the first grade for dessert, excellent for the kitchen.
The TREE is a moderate grower and very fertile; twigs are rather long and strong, dark violet-brown with some grey, very fine lenticels; buds are medium, close together; shoots are reddish dark brown, very woolly; leaf stalks are 20 - 30 mms, rather thick, woolly; leaves medium sized, broad, oval and blunt; bluntly serrate, sometimes wavy on one side; upper side dark green, underneath dull yellowish green, slightly woolly.
Because of the size of this apple, we can recommend this variety only as espalier, pyramid or dwarf. It deserves a place in every garden.