The Beefing Apples Story, Part Two, is Now Live

The next instalment in my history of the ‘Beefing’ group of apples is now live, and includes parts one and two of chapter two of the ‘Beefing’ Apples Story.

In chapter two, part one, The ‘Beefing’ Apples Story, 1850 – 1899, I offer a general overview of the ‘Beefing’ apples in the second half of the nineteenth century, and talk about the key involvement of one particularly famous pomologist of the period: Dr. Robert Hogg, who had a lot to say about the naming of ‘Norfolk Beefing’.

Hogg played a key part in the re-popularisation of ‘Striped Beefing’ in the 1850s, and was instrumental in the discovery and commercial introduction, along with Dr. Henry Graves Bull and sundry others, of ‘Herefordshire Beefing’ in the 1880s.

In chapter two part two, Dr. Hogg vs. “Pyrus”, ‘Beefing’ vs. ‘Beaufin’, I tell the tall tale of a bout of pomological pugilism that broke out in 1853, between Dr. Hogg and a pseudonymous correspondent to a horticultural journal of the day. Disagreements over nomenclature! Passive-aggressive put-downs! Editorial Interventions! And even some speculation on my part as to who might have adopted the “Pyrus” moniker, in order to set up a scrap with young Hogg…

I do hope you enjoy the latest instalment of the ‘Beefing’ Apples Story. If you do, or if you have any follow-up questions or observations, please do leave a comment on the relevant chapter of the story, or send me an email.

Parts three and four of chapter two will follow, just as soon as I’ve finished the editing and polishing process. Watch this space for further updates, or better yet sign up for my email list to receive a notification when they go live.