=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, juicy; Flavor sweet; Quality pretty good; Use, market and baking; Season, January to June.

=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.