Chapter 86
Core irregular, closed, clasping; Axis short; Seeds dark, pointed, imperfect; Flesh, yellowish-white, tender, melting, fine-grained, juicy; Flavor mild sub-acid, rich; Quality good to very good; Use, table, kitchen, market; Season, December to February. Not very profitable.
=White Pippin.=
[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 257.--WHITE PIPPIN.]
The origin of this valuable fruit is entirely unknown, and its history can only be traced to the nursery of Silas Wharton, who may have brought it with him from the East. For a time some of our leading pomologists thought it was the _Canada Reinette_, but this idea has long since been relinquished, and all agree that it is _sui generis_, though it may have had a different name. In some of its external characters it more nearly resembles the _Yellow Newtown Pippin_ than any other fruit; but, while it lacks the high, spicy flavor of that apple, it is found to be much more profitable in the orchard.
The tree is remarkably thrifty, vigorous and productive, upright, with very dark shoots, covered with down, bearing large leaves that are quite downy beneath, and deep green above.
Fruit large, variable in form, angular, sometimes lop-sided, generally fair, free from scab; Surface smooth, green or greenish-white to very pale yellow when ripe; the skin toward the base is often marked on the unripe apple with indistinct wavy stripes of white, the inters.p.a.ces are sometimes colored by exposure, and a.s.sume a pink or purplish hue, making the fruit appear to be striped; Dots very minute, and surrounded by green bases that are most distinct before the fruit is perfectly ripe; these and the white stripes are very characteristic.
Basin deep, abrupt, regular, wavy or folded; Eye small, closed.
Cavity wide, deep, wavy, brown and green: Stem short, sometimes thick.
Core small, pyriform, closed, clasping; Seeds numerous, angular, pale brown, pointed; Flesh white or yellowish-white, breaking, granular, juicy; Flavor acid to sub-acid, not spicy; Quality good; Use, kitchen rather than table, cooks very well; Season, December and January; not a very good keeper; may be preserved until March.
=Yellow Newtown.=
[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 258.--YELLOW NEWTOWN.]
The origin of this variety of the Newtown Pippin, which has obtained such a world-wide notoriety as the "American Apple," is very uncertain.
Tree resembling that of the Green variety, slow grower in the nursery, having rough bark when old, not an early bearer, but large, spreading, and productive, and in suitable soils profitable. From some cause, however, the orchards of both these apples are much less satisfactory in their results than formerly in many parts of the country. Still it is often seen in great perfection, and I am compiling this description from outlines and notes of a large number that were very fine.
Fruit large, round, more or less modified by being cylindrical, truncated, lop-sided, ribbed, and irregular, sometimes even conic; Surface smooth, yellowish-green, sometimes bronzy, becoming yellow when ripe, like the _White Pippin_, it is marked with gray striae near the base while green; Dots minute, scattered, whitish bases.
Basin large, folded, ribbed or plaited; Eye medium, rather open.
Cavity deep, acute; brown; Stem medium or short, rarely long.
Core medium, oval, regular, closed, meeting or clasping the eye; Seeds pointed, brown, sometimes imperfect; Flesh yellow, firm, breaking, juicy, not crisp like the Green variety; Flavor acid, aromatic, rich, very agreeable; Quality best; Use, table, kitchen, market and cider; Season, March.
CLa.s.s III.--ROUND APPLES.
+ORDER II.--IRREGULAR.+
SECTION 2.--SOUR.
SUB-SECTION 2.--STRIPED.
=Benoni.=
[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 259.--BENONI.]
This handsome and delicious early apple is a native of Dedham, Ma.s.sachusetts. Its good qualities have caused its culture to be widely extended, and it appears to give very general satisfaction; though not so early as some other kinds, for the dessert especially, it is indispensable to the amateur.
Tree small, upright, close, productive, early bearer; Shoots slender, brown, leaves thin, long.
Fruit small to medium, round, truncated, somewhat angular, irregular; Surface smooth, yellow, covered mixed red, striped scarlet and carmine; Dots minute.
Basin wide, abrupt; Eye large, open or closed.
Cavity acute, wavy, brown; Stem medium, green, often stout.
Core small, closed, meeting the eye; Seeds angular, dark; Flesh yellow, fine-grained, juicy; Flavor rich, sub-acid, spicy; Quality best; Use, dessert, kitchen and market; Season, July and August.
Delicious and profitable.
=Brennaman.=
This fine apple, from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, was reported on by the _ad interim_ Committee of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and was brought to my notice by Dr. J.K. Eshleman, of Downingtown, in whose beautiful orchard I had an opportunity of studying the variety.
Tree large, spreading, vigorous, productive, said to be hardy.
Fruit medium to large, round, somewhat angular; Surface smooth, yellow, nearly covered with stripes of bright rich red.
Basin deep, wavy; Eye closed.
Cavity large, brown; Stem short to medium.
Flesh whitish, breaking, fine-grained, juicy; Flavor sub-acid, agreeable; Quality good, especially for culinary use and market; Season, August and September.
=Chronicle.=
[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 260.--CHRONICLE.]
This is a famous long keeper of Indiana origin. The honors of its discovery are divided between the Sigersons and R. Ragan.
Tree vigorous, healthy, productive, said to be hardy.
Fruit full medium to large, globular, truncated, cylindrical, irregular, flattened at the sides or angular; Axis inclined in some; Surface yellowish-green to yellow, mixed and striped dull red; Dots large, scattered, yellow, indented.
Basin, wide, deep, regular or wavy; Eye small to medium, closed.
Cavity wide, wavy or acute, sometimes lipped, brown; Stem medium to long, sometimes thick.
Core small, closed, meeting; Seeds numerous, pointed, plump; Flesh greenish to yellow, firm; Flavor sub-acid, not spicy; Quality scarcely good, except for culinary use and for market; Season, March to May.
Keeps sound even when bruised.
=Foundling.=