American Pomology. Apples

The fruit was described in the Western Horticultural Review for 1852, before I was aware that my friend Reuben Ragan had an apple of the same name; nevertheless, this, by priority of publication, will stand, unless there should prove to be another Lewis that can claim seniority of publication. I distinguish the other apple by calling it Lewis of Ragan; it is in another class.—[See Downing, p. 164.]

Fruit medium to large, round, somewhat ovate, regular; Surface smooth, yellow, striped and marbled scarlet; Dots scattered, gray and yellow.

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

Cavity acute, deep, regular; Stem long, slender.

Core regular, oval, heart-shaped, closed, meeting the eye; Seeds numerous, plump, brown; Flesh yellow, very tender, crisp, juicy; Flavor acid to sub-acid, rich, delicious; Quality best; Use, table and kitchen; Season, August. Marked in my notes "One of the very best of the new apples."

Liberty

Fig. 224.—LIBERTY.

This valuable market variety originated near Columbus, Ohio, where it was brought into notice by M.B. Bateham, the excellent Secretary of the Ohio Pomological Society, and founder of the Columbus Nurseries.

Tree vigorous, healthy, large, spreading and productive; believed to be entirely hardy.

Fruit full medium to large, globular, inclining to oblong in appearance, turbinated or flattened at the ends, regular; Surface not smooth, yellow, covered with dull red and scarlet, mixed and splashed, stripes indistinct; Dots minute, gray, prominent.

Basin medium, quite shallow, regular, indistinctly leather-cracked; Eye small, closed.

Cavity medium, acute, wavy; Stem medium, inclined.

Core small, oval, closed, meeting the eye; Seeds numerous, pointed; Flesh yellow, breaking, rather coarse, juicy; Flavor acid to sub-acid; Quality good; Use, market and kitchen or table; Season, January to March, or later.

Lyscom

Origin Massachusetts. This pleasant dessert apple is not generally known.

Fruit large, roundish, flattened, regular; Surface smooth, yellowish, striped and splashed with red.

Basin large, plaited; Eye large.

Cavity deep, regular; Stem short.

Flesh whitish, fine-grained, tender, juicy; Flavor mild sub-acid, agreeable; Quality good; Use, table and kitchen; Season, September to November.

Margil

Fig. 225.—MARGIL.

A famous old English dessert apple, rarely seen in this country, but much better adapted for the closing of a feast than many which are more pretentious in style and imposing in size. Certainly much more economical to him who provides even at a higher price per bushel than those which are too large to be eaten, and are only cut to be left on the table and wasted. Tree of slender growth, but very productive.

Fruit quite small, round, somewhat conic, abruptly truncated, regular; Surface smooth, red, mixed and striped; Dots yellow, prominent.

Basin wide, shallow, regular; Eye small, open; Calyx reflexed.

Cavity wide, not deep, regular, brown; Stem long.

Core turbinate, regular, closed, meeting the eye; Seeds numerous, pointed, long; Flesh yellow, crisp, fine-grained, juicy; Flavor sub-acid, rich, aromatic, very agreeable; Quality best; Season, November to January.

Meach

From Vermont; Fruit large, roundish, conic; Skin greenish-yellow, striped and mottled with light red, and sprinkled with brown dots; Stalk long, rather slender, set in a pretty large cavity; Calyx closed in a corrugated basin; Flesh yellowish, rather fine, juicy, rich, mild, sub-acid, aromatic; October and November.—[Downing.]

McKinley

Fig. 226.—M'KINLEY.

Highly esteemed by Reuben Ragan, of Indiana, who finds it profitable.

Fruit medium, roundish, flattened, slightly conic, regular; Surface, smooth, dull red on greenish-yellow, stripes indistinct; Dots scattered, large, gray.

Basin regular, shallow; Eye large, closed.

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

Core medium, ovate, regular, closed, meeting the eye; Seeds numerous, plump, brown; Flesh breaking, very fine-grained, very juicy; Flavor sub-acid, good; Quality good to very good; Use, table; Season, December and January.

Mexico

Origin Canterbury, Connecticut. Tree hardy, productive. Not much known in the West.

Fruit—obtained from E. Newburg, Brooklyn, Connecticut—medium, round, regular; Surface bright crimson-red, striped darker; Dots numerous, yellow-green.

Basin shallow, regular; Eye medium, closed.

Cavity acute, regular; Stem long or medium, slender.

Core large, open, meeting the eye; Seeds numerous, angular, pointed; Flesh white, tender, fine-grained, juicy; Flavor sub-acid; Quality best; Use, table; Season, August and September.

Monk's Favorite

Fig. 227.—MONK'S FAVORITE.

This large, showy apple originated in Delaware County, Indiana, and was introduced to the public by Dr. J.C. Helme, of the State Horticultural Society.

It was described in the Western Horticultural Review, some years ago, as a promising fruit, and was favorably noticed at the time of its introduction, but has not yet been sufficiently known for general recommendation.

Tree vigorous, upright, spreading, productive.

Fruit large, globular, flattened, regular; Surface smooth, yellow, pretty well covered with stripes and splashes of bright red; Dots medium, ragged, gray, scattering.

Basin medium, regular; Eye medium, open.

Cavity wide, wavy; Stem medium to long, stout.

Core wide, heart-shaped, open, clasping; Seeds pointed; Flesh whitish, breaking, juicy; Flavor sub-acid; Quality good; Use, kitchen, table, and promising for market; Season, November to January.

Neversink

Not having had an opportunity of examining this fruit, I quote the ad interim report of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society:

"Origin Berks County, Pennsylvania.

"Fruit large, roundish, exterior of an exceedingly beautiful waxen orange-yellow color, with a few russet dots, and a delicately striped and richly mottled carmine cheek; Stem very short and rather stout, cavity narrow, acuminate, shallow; Calyx large, basin deep, rather wide, furrowed; Flesh yellowish, somewhat tough, owing to the fact of its being shriveled; Flavor approaches to that of a pineapple; Quality very good; December to April."

Newark King

Fig. 228.—NEWARK KING.

An old apple, supposed to have come from New Jersey; found in the oldest orchards of grafted fruits in Southwestern Ohio, seldom elsewhere in the West that I have seen.

Tree thrifty, upright, spreading, productive; Foliage dark.

Fruit full medium to large, roundish, flattened or truncated conic, mostly regular, sometimes ribbed; Surface not very smooth, rich yellow, nearly covered with dull red mixed, and darker stripes, giving the fruit almost a mahogany color; Dots numerous, gray, elongated at the extremities, and coalescing into russet about the blossom end.

Basin deep, abrupt, folded or plaited, covered with fine russet; Eye small, closed.

Cavity acute, often lipped; Stem rather long, slender.

Core small, oval, closed, not clasping but meeting the eye; Seeds numerous, angular; Flesh rich yellow, breaking, fine grained, juicy; Flavor acid, rich, sprightly, high-flavored; Quality very good; Use, kitchen, table and cider; Season, December, January, or longer.

PattonCARTER of Alabama—MANGUM—ALABAMA PEARMAIN of Peters

This is a great favorite in the South, and deservedly so, on account of its good qualities. Specimens from Dr. Jas. S. Blair, Limestone County, North Alabama, afford me data for the following description. I have preferred the name Patton because of the other Carters:

Fruit large, roundish, somewhat flattened; Surface smooth, mixed, marbled and splashed carmine on yellow; Dots scattered, distinct, yellow.

Basin deep, abrupt, folded; Eye medium, open.

Cavity deep, acute; Stem long to medium, inclined, red.

Core small, regular, closed, half clasping; Seeds plump and imperfect; Flesh yellow, firm, breaking, juicy; Flavor acid, agreeable; Quality good; Season, November to January.

Pomme Water

Fig. 229.—POMME WATER.

An apple by this name is found in Northern Illinois; little is known of its origin or history.

Fruit full medium, globular truncate, slightly conic, regular; Surface mixed, splashed scarlet on yellow; Dots minute, numerous, brown.

Basin wavy, medium; Eye large, closed.

Cavity medium, regular; Stem short, thick, green.

Core medium, round, closed, scarcely meeting the eye; Seeds numerous, angular, imperfect; Flesh yellow, breaking, fine grained, juicy; Flavor sub-acid; Quality good to very good; Use, table; Season, September and October.

Specimens obtained from Henry Kimball, of Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois.

Ragan's Red

Fig. 230.—RAGAN'S RED.

Origin Putnam County, Indiana, by R. Ragan. Tree vigorous, productive.

Fruit large, round, slightly conic, regular; Surface smooth, bright red, splashed darker; Dots numerous, small.

Basin abrupt, deep, regular; Eye small, closed.

Cavity deep, acute, regular; Stem long.

Core small, pyriform, regular, nearly closed; Seeds numerous, plump; Flesh yellow, breaking, fine grained; Flavor sub-acid, aromatic; Quality good; Use, table and market; Season, October and November.

Ribston Pippin

This famous English apple does not seem to have many admirers among our orchardists, but on some accounts it merits a place in the amateur's collection.

Tree productive, early bearer.

Fruit medium to large, round, truncated, regular; Surface rough, splashed and mixed dull red on yellow; Dots numerous, minute, prominent, russet.

Basin abrupt, plaited or regular, russeted; Eye small, closed.

Cavity acute, wide, regular, brown; Stem long, slender.

Core regular, closed; Seeds numerous, angular, imperfect; Flesh yellow, crisp, firm, juicy; Flavor acid, rich, aromatic; Use, kitchen—scarcely for table; Season, October and later, but apt to wilt.

Sigler's Red

This very handsome apple, from near McConnellsville, Morgan County, Ohio, was shown before the Ohio Pomological Society, at different times, by Jos. Sigler, for whom it was named, because it was not identified as any known variety.

Fruit medium, globular, slightly flattened, regular; Surface smooth, mixed and splashed bright red; Dots minute, rare.

Basin shallow, regular; Eye small, closed.

Cavity acute, wavy; Stem short to medium, knobby.

Core wide, indistinct, closed, meeting the eye; Seeds pointed, plump; Flesh yellow, fine-grained, juicy; Flavor sub-acid, aromatic, rich; Quality almost best; Use, table; Season, September.

A beautiful dessert fruit. Elliott gives it as synonym to Autumn Pearmain.

Small BlackBLACK APPLE of Coxe and Downing—AMERICAN BLACK

Fig. 231.—SMALL BLACK.

This useful little apple is found in many collections where the Jersey Black is cultivated, but it seems to be quite distinct. Origin unknown.

Fruit medium to small, globular, sometimes nearly oblate, regular; Surface smooth, deep red, sometimes purplish, striping indistinct; Dots numerous, indented, minute, pink or purple.

Basin shallow, abrupt, regular or folded; Eye small to medium, closed; Segments reflexed.

Cavity acute, sometimes lipped, brown; Stem long, inclined, red or green.

Core regular, round, slightly open, clasping the eye; Seeds numerous, plump and angular; Flesh yellowish, often pink, tender, fine grained; Flavor sub-acid, agreeable; Quality good; Use, dessert; Season, November to January.

Smith'sSMITH'S CIDER

Fig. 232.—SMITH'S.

Origin Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where it still continues a favorite variety. Its cultivation has extended widely to the westward, giving great satisfaction as a market fruit, for culinary purposes, but cannot be recommended for table.

Tree vigorous, hardy, productive, an early bearer; Limbs straggling, shoots rather slender, light olive; Foliage large, light green.

Fruit medium to large, round, varying from flattened to elongated, mostly regular, sometimes lop-sided; Surface smooth, pale yellow, covered with mixed light red, splashed indistinctly with bright carmine, beautiful; Dots distinct, rather large, light gray.

Basin shallow, wide, or more often plaited; Eye small, closed.

Cavity acute, regular, brown; Stem medium to long, variable.

Core wide, pyriform, open, clasping; Seeds numerous, plump, pointed; Flesh white, breaking, juicy; Flavor acid, sub-acid, aromatic, not rich, peculiar, not agreeable; Quality good for cooking only, making very fine apple sauce—makes much cider, but thin and watery; Season, December, January and later.

This is essentially a market fruit, and is one of the most profitable apples planted in Southwestern Ohio and adjacent counties of Indiana.

Sops of Wine

Fig. 233.—SOPS OF WINE.

European. Tree vigorous, spreading, productive.

Fruit small to medium, round, slightly conic, regular; Surface smooth, mixed red, shaded dark red throughout; Dots small, scattered, yellow.

Basin shallow, plaited; Eye small, closed.

Cavity medium, wavy, somewhat browned; Stem long, red.

Core distinctly marked with a red line, wide, oval, closed, meeting the eye; Seeds numerous, pointed, brown; Flesh yellow, fine grained, tender, juicy; Flavor acid to sub-acid, agreeable; Quality good to very good; Use, dessert; Season, August and September.

Summer Janet

Specimens received from Mr. Johnson, Louisville, Ky.

Fruit medium, round, truncated, regular; Surface smooth, pale yellow, mixed red, striped darker red; Dots scattered, gray.

Basin deep, abrupt, regular; Eye small, open.

Cavity shallow, regular, yellow; Stem medium to long, green.

Core pyriform, indistinct, closed, clasping; Seeds pointed, imperfect; Flesh yellow, tender, fine grained; Flavor sub-acid, aromatic; Quality good; Use, market; Season, September.

Summer Rose

Origin New Jersey. Tree vigorous, healthy, spreading, productive, early bearer; Shoots stout; Foliage large, glaucous.

Fruit small, roundish, flattened, regular; Surface smooth polished, very pale yellow, striped and splashed distinctly bright red and carmine; Dots minute.

Basin abrupt, wide, regular; Eye small, closed.

Cavity acute, regular; Stem medium.

Core large, regular, closed, meeting the eye; Seeds numerous, short, plump; Flesh white, crisp, fine grained, juicy; Flavor sub-acid, agreeable, not rich; Quality, one of the best early apples; Use, family, table and kitchen; Season, June to August—ripening gradually.

Sutton Beauty

Fig. 234.—SUTTON BEAUTY.

An old Massachusetts apple, occasionally found in the West, where it attains increased size and beauty. My specimens were from W. Hampton, with many other sorts of interest grown by him in Northwestern Ohio.

Fruit large, handsome, globular, regular; Surface smooth, yellow, mottled and splashed carmine; Dots scattered, brown, vein-reflexed.

Basin wide, regular, russety; Eye large, open; Segments reflexed.

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

Core medium to large, closed, clasping; Seeds numerous, pointed, angular, dark; Flesh whitish, tender, breaking, juicy; Flavor acid, sub-acid, agreeable; Quality good; Use, table, kitchen and market; Season, December to March.

Thought by Mr. Hampton to be a seedling brought from Southern Ohio.

Sylvester

Fig. 235.—SYLVESTER.

Introduced by Dr. Ware Sylvester, of Lyons, New York.

Fruit small to medium, round, regular; Surface smooth, white, blushed and striped bright carmine; Dots scattered, minute.

Basin very shallow, plaited; Eye small, closed.

Cavity deep, acute, wavy; Stem medium.

Core indistinct, slightly open; Seeds numerous, plump, angular, long; Flesh white, tender, fine grained, juicy; Flavor sub-acid; Quality very good; Use, table and cooking; Season, September.

Williams' FavoriteWILLIAMS' EARLY

Origin Roxbury, Massachusetts.

Fruit small to medium, round, regular; Surface smooth, dark purplish red, indistinctly striped; Dots none.

Basin abrupt, folded; Eye medium, closed.

Cavity wide, shallow; Stem long, slender.

Core large, round, closed; Seeds pointed, brown; Flesh whitish-yellow, streaked red, breaking, not juicy; Flavor sub-acid, peculiar; Quality scarcely good; Season, July and August.

WillowWILLOW TWIG—JAMES RIVER, ETC

Fig. 236.—WILLOW.

This Virginia fruit has obtained a wide spread notoriety as a valuable market apple throughout the West.

Tree very vigorous, healthy, productive, branching, twiggy, thorny while young; Shoots slender, olive brown.

Fruit globular, truncated, looking oblong from its cylindrical sides; Surface smooth, dull greenish-yellow, marbled and striped dull red; Dots minute, gray.

Basin wide, abrupt, plaited; Eye medium, closed.

Cavity wide or acute, regular; Stem long, slender, inclined.

Core medium, round, regular, closed, meeting, not clasping the eye; Seeds numerous, plump, brown; Flesh greenish-yellow, breaking, juicy; Flavor acid; Quality only good, but valuable for market and culinary uses; Season, December to April. Excellent for shipping South.

Wilson's Volunteer

Origin believed to be a seedling or "Volunteer" on the banks of the Ohio River. Received from George Sibbald.

Fruit large, globular, truncated or flattened, regular; Surface yellow, mostly covered with mixed red, striped darker; Dots large, gray and yellow.

Basin deep, regular, leather-cracked; Eye medium, closed.

Cavity deep, acute, regular; Stem long, slender.

Core small, round, regular, closed, clasping; Seeds numerous, pointed; Flesh greenish-yellow, tender, juicy; Flavor sub-acid; Quality only good; Use, kitchen; Season, December to February.

Wright's Janet

Fig. 237.—WRIGHT'S JANET.

This fine keeping apple, received from N.J. Colman and other zealous pomologists of St. Louis, Missouri, is supposed to have originated in that region with Mr. W.G. Wright.

Fruit medium to large, round, sometimes flat, regular; Surface smooth, waxen yellow, mixed, striped and splashed carmine; Dots minute, prominent, scattering.

Basin medium, regular; Eye small, acute, closed.

Cavity deep, wavy, brown; Stem long, short, or very short.

Core medium, regular, somewhat open, clasping; Seeds numerous, small, plump; Flesh deep yellow, breaking, very fine grained, juicy; Flavor sub-acid, rich, very agreeable; Quality good to very good; Use, table, kitchen and market; Season, January to June and keeps until August.

Yadkin

Southern. Received from S.W. Westbrooke, of Greensboro', North Carolina.

Fruit large, round, regular; Surface red, striped dark red; Dots large, scattered, distinct, gray.

Basin abrupt, deep, regular; Eye small, open.

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

Core small, closed, meeting the eye; Seeds small, pointed, brown; Flesh white, breaking, dry; Flavor sub-acid; Quality only good; Season, August—and on that account scarcely worth carrying to the North.

CLASS III.—ROUND APPLESORDER I.—REGULARSECTION 2.—SOURSUB-SECTION 3.—RUSSETBeeler's Russet

Fig. 238.—BEELER'S RUSSET.

Origin not known. Found in an old orchard on the banks of White River, in Marion County, Indiana, by my lamented young friend, Geo. M. Beeler.

Fruit medium to small, round, truncated or cylindrical, inclined; Surface russeted; Dots minute, prominent.

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

Cavity regular; Stem long.

Core large, wide, heart-shaped, closed, clasping; Seeds numerous, angular; Flesh yellow, crisp, fine-grained, tender, juicy; Flavor sub-acid to acid, aromatic, spicy, very agreeable; Quality best; Use, table, kitchen; Season, November, December.

A choice dessert apple.

Columbian Russet

The origin of this fine, long-keeping russet is not known. Specimens were received from H.N. Gillett, Lawrence County, Ohio. If the tree be healthy and productive, this variety will be a valuable addition to our orchards.

Fruit medium to small, round, truncated, lop-sided; Surface smooth, russeted; Dots minute, scattered, prominent.

Basin medium, regular; Eye large, open.

Cavity acute, regular; Stem, long, slender.

Core medium, closed, pyriform, meeting the eye; Seeds numerous, slender, angular, dark; Flesh very yellow, breaking, fine-grained, juicy; Flavor acid to sub-acid, rich, aromatic; Quality best; Use, table; Season, February to April.

Very like the Golden Pearmain, from J.S. Downer, which see; they may prove to be the same variety.

Court of Wyck

This spicy English apple, which has so many synonyms as evidences of its popularity, has not been a favorite in this country, but occasionally succeeds well; it has little to recommend it in its looks.

Fruit very small, round, truncated abruptly, much flattened, regular; Surface yellow, covered russet.

Basin wide, very shallow; Eye small, open; Segments reflexed.

Cavity rather wide; Stem long, slender.

Core small, ovate, closed, meeting the eye; Seeds numerous, large, brown; Flesh rich yellow, firm, juicy; Flavor acid, aromatic, rich, spicy, sharp; Quality good in its way; Use, "dessert;" Season, December, January.

Crownest

Fig. 239.—CROWNEST.

Originated at Kelley's Island, Ohio, in the orchard of Chas. Carpenter.

Tree vigorous, thrifty, brushy, productive.

Fruit full medium, round, truncated or flattened, often unequal and inclined; Surface greenish yellow, thinly covered with russet.

Basin regular, wide; Eye large, open.

Cavity irregular, lipped; Stem short, curved, fleshy.

Core round, regular, closed, meeting the eye; Seeds long, pointed, angular; Flesh green, tender, breaking; Flavor sub-acid; Quality only good for culinary uses; Season, November to January.

English GoldenRUSSET GOLDEN, of Barry

Fig. 240.—ENGLISH GOLDEN.

Among the russets there has been much confusion, which it is very difficult to clear up. The apple about to be described came to the West from the nurseries about Rochester; a very superior variety to many others that resemble it, and may be distinguished by the palate, or by the character of the twigs.

Tree thrifty, vigorous, spreading, productive, a rather early bearer; Shoots slender, olive, speckled.

Fruit medium, round, large ones are oblate, often cylindrical, sometimes inclined, regular; Surface greenish yellow, covered with thick russet; Dots minute, white, scattered.

Basin regular, deep, leather-cracked; Eye small, closed.

Cavity wide, regular, rough; Stem short.

Core wide, regular, closed, clasping; Seeds small, flat; Flesh greenish yellow, breaking, granular, juicy; Flavor sub-acid, rich; Quality good to best; Use, table, kitchen; Season, January, February.