REINETTE NELGUIN.
einette Nelguin (Beschrijving der vruchtsoorten [Description of fruit varieties], first series, N°. 80; J.F. SERRURIER, part I, page 203).
Nelguin (knoop, Table 10; matth. van NOORDT).
Reinette d' Aizerna (Catalogue of the Fruits, N°. 630, page 34).
Knoop shows a Reinette d' Aizerna (table IX) which differs from ours; the Handbuch mentions Reinette de Aizerna as a synonym for the Reinette van Breda (our Konings-Pippeling) which is not correct; the Deutsches Obstcabinet(issue 4, table 3) has a Reinette von Aizerna which again is different from ours, unless the illustration is not true to nature. There is much confusion about this variety, which is possibly enlarged still by the fact that authors have been copying each other; also SERRURIER just made a translation.
The origin of the apple is unknown; it was already described by knoop (1750) and it has been present in our nurseries from time out of mind.
SHAPE: often less high than in our illustration.
SIZE: fourth grade, often bigger than illustrated.
EYE: closed; small, pointed, grey-brown sepals; narrow, russeted basin surrounded by small ribs.
STALK: [not described. Trans.]
The COLOUR is as illustrated, sometimes with a thin russeting with the ground colour shining through; the skin feels rough.
The FLESH is cream-coloured, with green veins just beneath the skin and around the core, rather soft, juicy, pleasant, with a sweetish sour, aromatic taste. The core is medium sized with small, coffee-brown pips.
TIME OF USE: [not mentioned. Trans.]
The TREE is a moderate grower, very fertile and forms an attractive pyramid. Twigs are of medium length, thin, grey-brown, olive-coloured at the shadow side, with small ash-grey lenticels; buds are small and flat; the shoots are thin, brownish green, slightly woolly at the end. Leaf stalks are 30 mms, the leaves oval and sharply pointed, strongly and irregularly serrated; many leaves show yellowish flames.
The variety can be recommended for all shapes, especially for an espalier or pyramid; Paradijs rootstock gives a better apple compared to seedling.