American Pomology Part 52

It is claimed that more money has been realized from this than from any other variety, though, on the Ohio River, the Rome Beauty is considered to be equally profitable. The popularity of this Russet is on the wane, however, as it is very subject to attacks of the Codling-moth, which makes it fall, and because it is apt to ripen too early in the season in southern locations and on limestone soils.

Hence its value as a keeping apple is diminished.

Tree robust, vigorous, spreading; Shoots stout, straggling, dark; Foliage gray-green.

Fruit large, oblate, often lop-sided at the West, frequently angular, sometimes conic and truncated; Surface overspread with heavy brown russet in the South, but green, often bronzed, and with partial light russet at the north of lat.i.tude 41; Dots minute, scattered.

Basin regular or wavy, green, often folded; Eye medium, closed.

Cavity regular, pointed; Stem medium, curved.

Core regular, closed, clasping; Seeds numerous, angular, imperfect; Flesh greenish-yellow, breaking, granular, often coa.r.s.e, juicy; Flavor decidedly acid; Quality second rate; Use, market and cooking; Season, November to January; a better keeper in the North.

=Whitney Russet.=

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 136.--WHITNEY RUSSET.]

Of uncertain or accidental origin in the extensive nurseries and orchards of my friend A.R. Whitney, of Franklin Grove, Lee County, Illinois, where my specimens and trees were procured.

Fruit medium or small, roundish-oblate, truncated, angular; Surface smooth, yellow, rather thinly russeted; Dots minute, prominent.

Basin abrupt, regular, green; Eye medium, closed.

Cavity acute, deep, wavy; Stem medium to long, slender.

Core medium, regular, heart-shaped, rarely open, meeting the eye; Seeds very numerous, medium, plump; Flesh greenish-yellow, breaking, very fine-grained, juicy; Flavor sub-acid, aromatic, rich, spicy; Quality best; especially a dessert apple; Season, December to February.

CLa.s.s II.--CONICAL APPLES.

+ORDER I.--REGULAR.+

SECTION 1.--SWEET.

SUB-SECTION 1.--SELF-COLORED.

=Large Bough.=

LARGE YELLOW BOUGH, ETC.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 137.--LARGE BOUGH.]

A native fruit, much admired as an early sweet apple. Tree vigorous, compact head, rather productive.

Fruit round-conic, regular, very light; Surface smooth, white or pale yellow; Dots minute, dark, indented, few.

Basin rather shallow, regular; Eye small, closed.

Cavity acute, regular, deep, sometimes brown; Stem medium.

Core regular, nearly closed, clasping; Seeds medium, dark; Flesh white, very soft, light, juicy; Flavor very sweet when ripe, somewhat bitter when green; Quality only good--by some called best; Use, market, stock and dessert--tasteless when cooked; Season, July and August.

=Fallawater.=

TULPEHOCKEN, ETC.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 138.--FALLAWATER.]

A native of Pennsylvania, where it is a great favorite; extensively cultivated through the West.

This is essentially a market apple, having little to recommend it but its size, appearance and productiveness.

Tree very vigorous, spreading, productive, not long-lived; Shoots very stout, dark; Leaves large.

Fruit large, round or oblate-conic, regular; Surface sometimes smooth, greenish-yellow, often blushed crimson--large specimens covered with whitish veined marks; Dots numerous, gray, large, and having whitish bases.

Basin rather deep, regular; Eye large, open.

Cavity deep, regular, brown; Stem short, stout.

Core medium, closed, meeting the eye; Seeds numerous, angular; Flesh whitish, often greenish-white, light, tender, juicy; Flavor very mild sub-acid, or sweet, with little character; Quality scarcely good; Use, market and stock; Season, November, December, and may be kept longer if desired.

=Michael Henry.=

MICHAEL HENRY PIPPIN.--[_c.o.xe._]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 139.--MICHAEL HENRY.]

Origin Monmouth County, New Jersey. Extensively cultivated in the Western States, where it has many admirers.

Tree vigorous, not large, spreading, very productive, early bearer; Shoots dark, foliage medium and healthy.

Fruit fair, medium to large, conic, regular; Surface smooth, dull green, whitish stripes, pale yellow when ripe, rarely a faint blush; Dots scattered, prominent.

Basin abrupt, or shallow, regular; Eye medium, closed.

Cavity deep, acute, brown; Stem short to medium.

Core regular, heart-shaped, clasping, closed; Seeds numerous, plump, black; Flesh pale yellow, breaking, tender, light, juicy; Flavor sweet, slightly aromatic, little character; Quality good; Use, market, kitchen; Season, December and January; keeps well.

=Premium of 1858.=

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 140.--PREMIUM OF 1858.]