American Pomology Part 62

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 172.--BUCKINGHAM.]

This favorite southern apple, from Louisa County, Virginia, has worked its way northward into public favor at rapid rate, under the influence of railways and Pomological Societies. It was first presented to the American Society at the Philadelphia meeting, in 1860, when it was figured and reported on by the Committee on Native Fruits, to some of whom, as to thousands of others in the West, it was familiar as household words. This fruit was brought by settlers to Southern Illinois, and thence distributed, by taking up the sprouts that formed about the base of the stocks, and setting them out for an orchard. I have some of these growing, and they make nice plants.

Tree vigorous, upright, compact while young, spreading with the weight of fruit, never large; the shoots rather slender, red, dark; Leaves medium, rather narrow, wider towards the end, dark, footstalks red.

The stems of these trees are characterized by curious enlargements of an irregular, mammellar form, and reddish color, and appear to be like the knaurs of the olive tree.

When this apple was first brought to the notice of the Cincinnati Horticultural Society, twenty years ago, it was thought to resemble the Winter Queen of Kentucky so closely that it was considered only a variety or sport, and called the _Striped Fall Queen_, but it has since been deemed a distinct sort.

Fruit large to very large, variable in form, but generally conical, or oblate-conic, truncated, angular; Surface smooth, greenish-yellow, mixed and striped pale purplish-red; Dots scattered, prominent, yellow.

Basin deep, abrupt, wavy; Eye large, long, open.

Cavity wide, wavy, brown; Stem short.

Core large, regular, closed; Axis very short; Seeds numerous, long, pointed; Flesh yellow, tender, fine-grained, juicy; Flavor mild sub-acid, rich, agreeable; Quality best, or nearly so; Use, table, kitchen, drying; Season, October to December.

=Esopus Spitzenberg.=

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 173.--ESOPUS SPITZENBERG.]

Origin New York, on the Hudson. This fruit has changed its character in progressing westward and southward, becoming larger and more irregular, less brilliantly colored, less highly flavored, and less productive.

Tree vigorous, upright, thrifty, but in some regions subject to blight and unprofitable; Shoots slender.

Fruit medium to large, conical, ribbed, irregular; Surface smooth, yellow, covered with bright red, marbled and mixed, striped more or less distinctly; Dots numerous, large, irregular, gray, always elongated near the base.

Basin deep, ribbed or folded, often leather-cracked; Eye small, closed.

Cavity deep, acute, regular, or wavy; Stem long.

Core large, closed; Seeds long, pointed; Flesh rich, yellow, breaking, juicy at the North, more fibrous than crisp at the South; Flavor quite acid till ripe, when it is rich, saccharine, highly aromatic, giving the idea of the Spitzenberg flavor; Quality best; Use, dessert and kitchen; Season, December to February.

=Lansingburgh.=

The origin of this long-keeper has not been traced. It has been common about Cincinnati, and along the Ohio River, for many years.

Tree upright, vigorous, brushy and th.o.r.n.y, looking like a wilding.

Fruit medium, conical, angular, oblique, often unequal; Surface smooth, green and yellow, bronzed and blushed, becoming very rich yellow and carmine--an indistinct gray-striping makes the ripe fruit appear to be striped yellow; Dots minute, indented, gray, with green bases.

Basin deep, plaited or folded; Eye small, closed.

Cavity acute, irregular, rough with brown; Stem short.

Core small, oval, closed; Seeds numerous, large; Flesh firm, compact; Flavor mild sub-acid, negative; Quality scarcely good; Use, market, ornamental, cooking; Season in the kitchen all winter--ornamental and eatable March to May, or later.

=Late Strawberry.=

AUTUMN STRAWBERRY.

The origin of this choice fruit appears to be unknown.

Tree upright, productive, thrifty, leaves serrate.

Fruit medium, roundish, conical, angular, furrowed; Surface smooth, waxen-yellow, mixed and striped scarlet; Dots minute, indented.

Basin folded, irregular; Eye medium, closed.

Cavity acute, wavy, irregular; Stem slender, long.

Core medium, regular, closed, Seeds large; Flesh yellow, very tender, fine-grained, very juicy; Flavor sub-acid, aromatic, refreshing, vinous; Quality best; Use, dessert especially; Season, August and September.

There is another similar fruit--the _Frank_ or _Chenango Strawberry_, which is by some preferred to this.

=Northern Spy.=

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 174.--NORTHERN SPY.]

Origin near Rochester, New York. Tree very vigorous, large, upright, spreading, when older; shoots reddish, leaves healthy, large, dark.

Tree productive when old, but not an early bearer; needs tr.i.m.m.i.n.g to admit light and air to the fruit.

Fruit large, flattened-conical, angular; Surface smooth, yellow, mixed, and splashed, scarlet, or crimson; Dots scattered, small.

Basin abrupt, regular, or folded; Eye small, closed.

Cavity wide, regular or wavy, brown; Stem medium to short.

Core large, irregular, open; Seeds numerous, small, pointed, pale; Flesh yellowish-white, breaking, granular, juicy; Flavor acid, becoming sub-acid, aromatic, rich, with the spiciness of a Spitzenberg; Quality considered best, but rather coa.r.s.e in texture; Use, table, kitchen and market; Season, December until May, and in the North longer.

=Red Canada.=

STEEL'S RED.

Origin New England. Tree thrifty, healthy, but slender, twiggy, productive.

Fruit medium, globular-conic, indistinctly angular; Surface smooth, yellow, covered with mixed and striped bright red; Dots numerous, gray, indented, elongated near the stem, as in Esopus.

Basin shallow, folded; Eye small, closed.

Cavity wide, acute, wavy; Stem long, inclined.

Core regular, closed, large; Seeds imperfect; Flesh yellowish-white, breaking, crisp, fine-grained, tender, juicy; Flavor sub-acid, aromatic, delicious; Quality best, for table; Season, December to February.