Chapter 76
[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 223.--LEWIS.]
This delicious apple originated in Decatur County, Indiana, near Greensburgh, and was introduced to my notice by one of the early pomologists of the region, a nurseryman by the name of Lewis, from whom I obtained my trees after he had introduced me to the original, which I found to be vigorous, healthy, upright, spreading and productive.
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 cla.s.s.--[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.=
[Ill.u.s.tration: 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,
=Lyscom.=
Origin Ma.s.sachusetts. 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.=
[Ill.u.s.tration: 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.=
[Ill.u.s.tration: 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.=
[Ill.u.s.tration: 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.