Raised in 1904 by Veitch’s Nursery in London and named after the vicar of Shirley, Surrey and Secretary of the Royal Horticultural Society from 1888-1919. Thought to be a cross between Peasgood’s Nonsuch and Ribston Pippin. A large, sweet, early to mid-season culinary apple, good for baking and for puree, when it needs very little sugar. Sometimes said by professional cooks to be the best cooking apple of all.