It is generally allowed that the Nonpareil is originally from France. Switzer says “It is no stranger in England; though it might have its original from France, yet there are trees of them about the Ashtons in Oxfordshire, of about a hundred years old, which (as they have it by tradition) was first brought out of France and planted by a Jesuit in Queen Mary or Queen Elizabeth’s time.” It is strange, however, that an apple of such excellence, and held in such estimation as the Nonpareil has always been, should have received so little notice from almost all the early continental pomologists. It is not mentioned in the long list of the Jardinier François of 1653, nor even by De Quintinye, or the Jardinier Solitaire. Schabol enumerates it, but it is not noticed by Bretonnerie. It is first described by Duhamel and subsequently by Knoop. In the Chartreux catalogue it is said “elle est forte estimée en Angleterre”, but, among the writers of our own country, Switzer is the first to notice it. It is not mentioned by Rea, Worlidge or Ray, neither is it enumerated in the list of Leonard Meager. In America it is little esteemed. 246. NORFOLK BEEFING.--H. SYNONYMES.--Norfolk Beaufin, _Hort. Soc. Cat._ ed. 3, n. 34. _Lind. Guide_, 55. _Down. Fr. Amer._ 120. Norfolk Beau-fin, _Rog. Fr. Cult._ 59. Norfolk Beefin, _Fors. Treat._ ed. 3, 124. Reeds Baker, _Hort. Soc. Cat._ ed. 1, 858. Catshead Beaufin, _acc. Hort. Soc. Cat._ FIGURES.--Brook. Pom. Brit. pl. xcii. f. 3. Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. xxxiii. f. 3. Fruit, medium sized, three inches wide, and two inches and three quarters high; oblate, irregular in its outline, caused by several obtuse angles or ribs, which extend from the base to the basin of the eye, where they form prominent knobs or ridges. Skin, smooth, green at first, but changing to yellow, and almost entirely covered with dull brownish-red, which is thickest and darkest next the sun; sometimes it is marked with a few broken stripes of dark crimson, and in specimens where the color extends over the whole surface, the shaded side is mottled with yellow spots. Eye, open, set in a rather deep and angular basin. Stalk short, inserted in a deep and russety cavity. Flesh, firm and crisp, with a brisk and pleasant flavor. A well known and first-rate culinary apple; it is in use from January to June. It is extensively cultivated in Norfolk, where, besides being applied to general culinary purposes, they are baked in ovens, and form the dried fruits met with among confectioners and fruiterers, called “Norfolk Biffins.” The tree is vigorous in its young state, but unless grown in a rich soil, and a favorable situation, it is apt to canker, particularly if it is too moist. The name of this apple has hitherto been written Beaufin, as if of French origin; but it is more correctly Beefing, from the similarity the dried fruit presents to raw beef. 247. NORFOLK PARADISE.--Fors.