American Pomology Part 75

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 218.--HANNAH.]

This large and rather handsome fruit is found in many parts of the country, but is not largely cultivated. Its occurrence among Southern emigrants would lead us to suspect that they might have brought it with them.

Fruit large, showy, round, somewhat flattened, regular, sometimes unequal; Surface rather smooth, pale yellow, mixed, distinctly striped and splashed crimson and carmine; Dots scattered, large, gray.

Basin medium, abrupt, regular, often slightly russeted; Eye medium but long, closed.

Cavity wide, wavy, acute, deep, brown or green; Stem short to very short.

Core round, flattened or wide, regular, open; Axis very short; Seeds numerous, short, plump; Flesh light, yellowish white, breaking, tender, juicy; Flavor sub-acid, aromatic, peculiar, not agreeable to some palates; Quality only good; Use, kitchen, market, drying; Season, October to December.

=Herefordshire Pearmain.=

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 219.--HEREFORDSHIRE PEARMAIN.]

This is supposed to be an old English variety which has reached certain portions of the Western States from the East, though now rarely seen there, as its place has been taken by other _Pearmains_ of American origin and more vigor, such as the _Long Island Pearmain_, described on another page. Tree slender and slow grower, medium size, very productive.

Fruit small to medium, roundish, slightly conic, truncated sharply; Surface smooth, deep red, splashes dark or maroon on rich yellow, which only shows where the fruit has been shaded by a leaf; Dots numerous, small, yellow.

Basin wide, regular, abrupt; Eye medium, open, reflexed.

Cavity medium, regular or wavy, green; Stem mostly short, stout, sometimes quite thick.

Core wide, turbinate, closed, regular, clasping the eye; Seeds numerous, small, pointed, dark, some imperfect; Flesh deep yellow, firm, breaking, very fine-grained, juicy; Flavor rich, sub-acid, aromatic, vinous, spicy, very agreeable; Quality best; Use, dessert; Season, December to February.

Especially adapted to amateur collections.

=Hewes' Crab.=

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 220.--HEWES' CRAB.]

From Virginia. A famous cider apple, found in all extensive and good cider orchards. Tree of slender growth, but makes a large, spreading top, immensely productive alternate years, long lived; Twigs slender; Foliage spa.r.s.e.

Fruit quite small, round, somewhat flattened, regular; Surface mixed, striped, purplish red on yellow; Dots numerous, large, pale or fawn.

Basin shallow; Eye small, closed.

Cavity deep, regular; Stem long, red.

Core round, regular, open, clasping; Seeds large, pointed; Flesh firm, yellowish and greenish, juicy; Flavor acid, rich; the must is very heavy; Quality best for cider; Season, November to January. Also useful for cooking, except on account of its small size; the rich and piquant acid makes it a particularly desirable ingredient in mince-pies.

In Kentucky there is a variety of this apple known as _Beeler's Crab_, with fruit of similar characters, but the tree is a better grower.

=Hubbardston.=

HUBBARDSTON NONSUCH.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 221.--HUBBARDSTON.]

This fine apple originated in Hubbardston, Ma.s.sachusetts. Tree vigorous, healthy, productive, early bearer, round-leaved, branching.

At one time this and the Baldwin were confounded and mixed in some Western collections.

Fruit large, fair, handsome, round, somewhat ovate, tapering both ways from the middle, regular; Surface often uneven, yellow, covered with mixed red and broken stripes, presenting a rich brownish appearance; Dots scattered, gray, prominent.

Basin abrupt, wide, regular, leather-cracked, or russeted, or both; Eye medium or small, open.

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

Core large, heart-shaped, regular, sometimes partially open, clasping the eye; Seeds few, pointed; Flesh yellow, breaking, fine grained, juicy; Flavor acid, sub-acid, rich; Quality very good; Use, cooking early, table when perfectly ripe; Season, November, December.

=Krowser.=

Origin Berks County, Pennsylvania, where I found it very popular as a productive winter apple for all purposes. Tree vigorous, healthy, large, spreading, and very productive.

Fruit medium to large, round, slightly conic, regular; Surface rather smooth, pale yellow, nearly covered with red, and splashed carmine.

Basin small, folded; Eye medium, closed.

Cavity medium; Stem short to medium.

Flesh whitish, tender, juicy; Flavor mild sub-acid, rich, agreeable; Use, a good market fruit; Season, December to March.

=Large Striped Pearmain.=

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 222.--LARGE STRIPED PEARMAIN.]

This choice Western apple is supposed to have originated in Kentucky--possibly further South. It is now to be found in Eastern Ohio, Southern Indiana and Illinois, and in Missouri. Much grown in Kentucky. In all places it seems to be doing well, and giving entire satisfaction, excepting that the bark bursts near the ground even in bearing trees, root-grafted.

Tree vigorous, thrifty, spreading, productive; Shoots rather slender, dark; Foliage dark green, abundant on young trees.

Fruit large, round, flattened, regular, fair, handsome, though not so beautifully colored as some others; Surface smooth, mixed, splashed and striped, pale purplish red on yellow, which shows through the shading; Dots minute, indented, gray, so that the fruit has a general gray appearance.

Basin medium, regular, sometimes cracked; Eye small, closed.

Cavity wide, wavy, rather deep, brown; Stem short, medium, or rather long.

Core roundish, medium, regular, open; Seeds numerous, large, angular, some imperfect; Flesh yellow, breaking, somewhat coa.r.s.e-grained, juicy; Flavor sub-acid; Quality quite good; Use, market, kitchen, table; Season, December to February.

In the West it is more flattened than in Ohio, becoming in large specimens almost a flat or oblate apple. Highly recommended for commercial orchards, whether for shipping North or South--particularly the latter.

=Lewis.=