Chapter 47
=Autumnal Sweet Swaar.=
SWEET SWAAR.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 120.--AUTUMNAL SWEET SWAAR.]
The fruit is highly commended by J.J. Thomas, who thinks it "one of the finest autumnal sweet apples."
Tree vigorous, spreading, productive.
Fruit large, roundish-oblate, somewhat angular; Surface smooth, waxen yellow, sometimes blushed; Dots rare, minute.
Basin wide, shallow, plaited or folded; Eye medium, long, closed.
Cavity acute, deep, wavy, green; Stem long, inclined, yellow and red.
Core regular, globular, somewhat open, clasping; Seeds numerous, plump, pale; Flesh white, fine grained, juicy; Flavor very sweet; Quality best, for baking and market; Season, September and October.
=Challenge.=
[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 121.--CHALLENGE.]
This is another of the apples introduced by Mr. Elliott, from the orchard of D.C. Richmond, near Sandusky, O.
Tree productive, hardy.
Fruit medium, globular-oblate; Surface smooth, pale yellow; Dots black, minute, scattered, and russet spots, becoming a rich vermillion where exposed.
Basin shallow, wide, plaited; Eye small, closed.
Cavity wide, regular, brown; Stem long, slender.
Core small, oval, regular, sometimes open, not meeting the eye; Seeds large, dark; Flesh yellow, tender, fine grained, juicy; Flavor sweet; Quality almost first rate, for table; Season, October.
=Delight.=
[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 122.--DELIGHT.]
This variety is grown in the southwestern part of Ohio; origin unknown.
Fruit medium to large, round-oblate, irregular; Surface smooth, yellow, bronzed; Dots minute.
Basin narrow, folded uneven; Eye medium, closed; Segments short.
Cavity wide, regular, brown; Stem short, thick.
Core small, oval, closed, meeting the eye; Seeds numerous, plump, dark; Flesh yellow, tender,
=Maverack Sweet.=
Origin South Carolina.
"Fruit large, roundish-oblate, angular; Skin yellow, mostly shaded with crimson, sprinkled with gray or greenish dots; Stalk short, inserted into a large cavity surrounded by russet; Calyx open, set in a deep, irregular basin; Flesh rich, pleasant, vinous, almost saccharine."--[Downing.]
=Spice Sweeting.=
The specimens described were from Mr. Warren, of Ma.s.sachusetts.
Others, found in Ohio and Illinois under this name, have a deep, abrupt basin, large or long eye, and yellow flesh; they must be different fruits.
An old variety; Tree vigorous, productive.
Fruit full medium to large, handsome, flat, irregular; Surface smooth, yellow, bronzy, crimson; Dots numerous, green.
Basin shallow, folded; Eye small, closed.
Cavity acute, wavy; Stem thick, k.n.o.bby.
Core very wide, open, meeting the eye; Seeds pointed, long, dark; Flesh very white, tender, fine grained, juicy; Flavor sweet; Quality good; Use, kitchen, baking, stock; Season, September, October.
=Sweet and Sour.=
[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 123.--SWEET AND SOUR.]
This variety is interesting as a curiosity, rather than valuable for its good qualities. It has been suggested that it might be a sport; no educated nurseryman will now believe the old story of its having been produced by the combination of the buds of two varieties, a sweet and a sour.
Fruit large, oblate, often unequal and lop-sided, ribbed, and deeply furrowed.
Surface yellow and green, the ribs being developed and ripening have flavor, but the furrows not being developed are flavorless and called sweet.
=Sweet Sponge.=
[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 124.--SWEET SPONGE.]
From H.N. Gillett; Origin unknown.
Fruit medium, oblate, irregular; Surface smooth, yellowish white; Dots minute.
Basin none or extremely shallow, folded; Eye long, closed.
Cavity wide, irregular; Stem short, thick.
Core wide, closed, scarce meeting the eye; Seeds numerous, plump, brown; Flesh white, tender; Flavor sweet; Season, July.