American Pomology

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 84.--BLONDIN.]

This fine fruit originated with the veteran Pomologist of Indiana, Reuben Ragan.

Fruit very large, oblate, unequal; Surface rough, greenish-yellow, splashed and striped with red; Dots numerous, large, gray.

Basin abrupt, folded; Eye small, closed.

Cavity acute, deep, brown; Stem short, rather slender inclined.

Core medium or small, regular, closed, clasping the eye; Seeds plump, pointed, brown; Flesh greenish-yellow, fine-grained, tender, juicy; Flavor sub-acid; almost first rate for table and market; Season October and November.

=Blooming Orange.=

Mr. Waring considers this the handsomest apple. In 1839 he brought a large number of sorts from the famous Herefords.h.i.+re apple orchards of England, of which this is the only one he retains as fully adapted to the mountain region of Pennsylvania.

Tree a very strong, free, handsome grower, and an immense bearer, after six or eight years' growth.

Fruit very large, fair, beautiful, roundish-oblate, regular; surface dark, richly clouded with claret and mahogany, on yellow ground; Eye open; Flesh crisp, juicy, acid at first, but this merges into a rich, penetrating, very agreeable flavor.

It is of the Ribston Pippin, or Dutch Mignonne type of fruit.--[Mr. G.

Waring's MS.]

=Bonum.=

MAGNUM BONUM.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 85.--BONUM.]

This delicious southern fruit originated in Davidson County, North Carolina. The tree is vigorous, very productive and bears early. I received specimens from S.W. Westbrooke, Greensboro', North Carolina.

Introduced to the American Pomological Society at the Philadelphia meeting, 1860, by Walter Steele, of Rockingham County, North Carolina, and highly recommended.

Fruit large, oblate, regular; Surface smooth, yellow, covered with mixed red, and striped; Dots distinct, large, yellow.

Basin medium, regular; Eye large, closed.

Cavity deep, regular, brown;

Core oval, small, closed, scarcely meeting the eye; Axis short; Seeds large, plump; Flesh yellow, firm, breaking, fine-grained, juicy; Flavor rich, sub-acid; first quality for the dessert; in September.

=Brandywine.=

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 86.--BRANDYWINE.]

This apple was found on the edge of the prairie, east of Quincy, Illinois, in the orchard of K.K. Jones, Esq., where it was supposed to have been brought from the State of Delaware.

Tree large, vigorous, spreading and productive.

Fruit medium, oblate, roundish, slightly conic, regular; surface smooth, greenish, covered with confused stripes of dull red; Dots scattered, white.

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

Cavity acute, regular, green; Stem very short.

Core small, round, closed, clasping; Seeds imperfect; Flesh greenish-white, fine-grained, tender, juicy; Flavor sub-acid, aromatic; Quality only good; Use table, kitchen; Season January, February.

=Buchanan's.=

Origin near Cincinnati, Ohio, in the orchard of Robert Buchanan, Esq., a gentleman long devoted to pomology. It also closely resembles the Brandywine, as grown in Illinois, already described.

This variety is much like the Minkler, which originated in Illinois, and both may have come from seeds of the Gilpin, which they resemble.

Tree vigorous and productive.

Fruit medium, oblate, regular; Surface smooth, yellow, covered with mixed red and striped bright red; Dots scattered, minute.

Basin medium, folded or plaited; Eye large, closed.

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

Core flattened, closed, clasping the eye; Seeds numerous, plump, dark; Flesh greenish-yellow, firm, breaking; Flavor sub-acid; Quality scarcely second rate, but useful for cooking, and keeps sound until May.

=Carolina Baldwin.=

This nice southern apple was received from S.W. Westbrooke, of Greensboro'. Of the tree I know nothing.

Fruit medium, oblate, regular; Surface yellow-green, with mixed red and stripes; Dots numerous, large, white.

Basin abrupt, regular; Eye large, closed.

Cavity wide, regular; Stem, medium to long.

Core small, regular, heart-shaped, closed; Seeds pointed; Flesh yellow, fine-grained, juicy; Flavor, sub-acid; good for table in November.

=Cheese.=

This fruit was received from Lewis Sanders, of Gra.s.s Hills, Gallatin County, Kentucky, by whom it was grown and esteemed.

Fruit medium to small, oblate, regular; Surface smooth, yellowish-green, striped purple red, splashed deep red; dots scattered, gray and purple.

Basin shallow, regular, or abrupt and deep, in different specimens; Eye small, closed.

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