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| The last of the Laxton's Fortune |
Laxton's Fortune, introduced in 1931 having first been raised in 1904, has in its parentage Cox's Orange Pippin. That is to say, a really good pedigree, so no wonder it is an apple with many fine characteristics.
We have to thank the Laxton brothers, Edward (1869-1951) and William (1866-1923) for Laxton's Fortune and quite a few other 'heritage' varieties of apples and fruits. Their father, Thomas, who was originally a lawyer, started a nursery business in Bedford. He was a pioneer in using a systematic approach to fruit tree breeding by selecting the best characteristics to produce improved fruit varieties. Interestingly, Thomas corresponded with Charles Darwin which is probably indicative of the scientific approach he adopted.
The Laxton brothers developed the nursery and were prominent Edwardian horticulturalists. Among the many apples they introduced, aside from Laxton's Fortune, were Laxton's Superb, Laxton's Pearmain, and Lord Lambourne.
Edward was awarded an MBE for his contribution to horticulture. Edward Laxton's son inherited the business but sadly decided to close it down in 1957. An important source of some distinguished British apple varieties is now no more but the fruit of this work lives on in many garden's (including ours) today.
Thanks for telling us about Laxton apples Phillip. I have just Googled the brothers. They have an orchard in Bedford planted in memory of them. Churchill bought trees from them for his Kent estate.
ReplyDeleteI like the stories behind some of our old fruit varieties in particular, Dave.
ReplyDeleteOne of our trees is an Orleans Reinette. I've never seen such an abundant crop of enormous sweet apples as this year. Had our first "apple mush with raisins" from the first windfalls last night. Delicious. (We tend to be quite late at 750 feet in Yorkshire).
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