Chapter 50
ERNST'S APPLE.--BUCHANAN, ETC.--SHANNON.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 131.--OHIO PIPPIN.]
We owe our acquaintance with this fine large fruit to the late Mr.
A.H. Ernst, long President of the Ohio Pomological Society, who furnished trees to Mr. Robert Buchanan, an enthusiastic Pomologist of Cincinnati. Both these gentlemen were too modest to permit their names to be attached to a fruit which they did not originate, but which they have aided to distribute. Another focus of distribution was the orchard and nursery of R.W. Todd, at Madison, Indiana, and the fruit has been received under the name of Shannon, from Doctor J.A. Dibrell, of Van Buren, Arkansas. Origin Dayton, Ohio, from whence it was procured personally by Mr. Todd, many years ago, and the grafts set by him are the oldest trees known.
Tree healthy, vigorous, large, spreading; Shoots stout, dark; Leaves large.
Fruit large, often very large, oblate, somewhat conic, irregular; Surface smooth, greenish-yellow, sometimes blushed faintly near the base; Dots small gray.
Basin wide, deep, folded; Eye large or very large, open; Segments short.
Cavity wide, wavy or regular, brown; Stem short, stout.
Core medium to large, regular, closed, meeting the eye; Seeds numerous, medium, plump, sometimes imperfect; Flesh yellowish, breaking, tender, juicy; Flavor acid to sub-acid; Quality good; Market and kitchen, too large for dessert; Season, December, January.
=Western Spy.=
Origin Jefferson County, Ohio. Tree healthy but medium growth, very productive; exhibited by Joel Wood.
Fruit large, roundish-oblate, uneven; Surface smooth, yellow, blushed; Dots numerous, minute, with white bases.
Basin abrupt, uneven; Eye large, closed.
Cavity medium, wavy; Stem short.
Core wide, closed, not meeting the eye; Seeds numerous, large, plump; Flesh yellow, breaking; Flavor acid; quality pretty good; Use, kitchen, table; Season, December, January.
CLa.s.s I.--FLAT APPLES.
+ORDER II.--IRREGULAR.+
SECTION 2.--ACID.
SUB-SECTION 2.--STRIPED.
=Berry.=
Not having enjoyed an opportunity of examining this fruit, I quote from my friend Chas. Downing.
"Origin Virginia or North Carolina. Tree vigorous, upright, very productive, and a valuable market fruit.
"Fruit rather above medium, obliquely depressed; Skin striped and splashed with red, on greenish-yellow ground, with large dots, having a dark center; Stem short, in a generally broad, deep cavity; Calyx open; Basin shallow, and uneven; Flesh rather coa.r.s.e, juicy, with a pleasant sub-acid flavor; November to March."
=Buff.=
For description of this fruit I take Downing's quotation from _White's Gardener_:
"Origin uncertain; Tree vigorous, erect; Fruit very large, irregular, roundish flattened and slightly irregular; Skin thick, yellow, striped, and shaded with red, very dark next the sun, marked with a few greenish russet spots; Stem three-fourths of an inch long, in a medium cavity; Calyx in a large, irregular basin; Flesh white, and when fully ripened, tender and excellent, sometimes indifferent; November to March."
=Dana.=
From Gabriel Sleath, near Cincinnati, Ohio. The origin of this pleasant dessert apple is not known. Tree large, productive.
Fruit small, flat, somewhat angular; Surface smooth, rich yellow partially covered mixed red, distinctly striped carmine; Dots pale fawn or yellow; heavy white bloom.
Basin shallow, leather-cracked; Eye small, long, closed.
Cavity medium, regular; Stem quite long, slender.
Core wide, regular, open, clasping; Seeds numerous, short, plump, brown; Flesh yellow, very fine grained, very juicy; Flavor sub-acid, sprightly, agreeable; Quality good to very good; Use, dessert; Season, August.
=Gravenstein.=
[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 132.--GRAVENSTEIN.]
This fine European apple is said to have originated at Gravenstein, Holstein. It has long been in this country, where it succeeds very well.
Tree vigorous, spreading, productive; Shoots vigorous; Leaves long, rolled, showing the white underside.
Fruit large, globular-oblate, angular; Surface smooth, yellow, partially covered with mixed and splashed scarlet; Dots rare.
Basin medium, regular; Eye small, closed.
Cavity deep, regular; Stem short.
Core regular, globular, or pointed toward the eye, closed, clasping; Seeds small, pointed; Flesh yellow, fine grained, breaking, juicy; Flavor sub-acid, aromatic; Quality best; table and kitchen; Season, August, September.
=Keiser.=
Origin Jefferson County, Ohio; not widely distributed. Tree thrifty, upright. The following description was made from fruit obtained of my friend T.S. Humrickhouse, of Coshocton.
Fruit full medium to large, oblate, uneven; Surface smooth, greenish-yellow, mixed and striped red; Dots scattered, minute.
Basin wide, deep, folded; Eye small, closed.
Cavity acute, deep; Stem quite short.
Core very small, regular, closed, clasping; Seeds numerous, short, plump; Flesh yellow, tender, fine grained, juicy; Quality good to best; for table and kitchen; Season, December to January.