"From Ma.s.sachusetts. Tree moderately vigorous, spreading, productive."--[Downing.]

Fruit medium to large, round, flattened at the ends, angular or uneven; Surface yellowish-green, mixed red, splashed deep red; Dots minute, indented.

Basin wide, abrupt, folded; Eye small, closed.

Cavity deep, acute, wavy, green; Stem short or medium.

Core large, wide, open, clasping; Seeds numerous, small, pointed; Flesh white, tender, fine-grained, juicy; Flavor sub-acid, aromatic; Quality good; Use, table; Season, September.

Specimens obtained from Mr. Warren.

=Jersey Black.=

BLACK APPLE of c.o.xe?

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 261.--JERSEY BLACK.]

This admirable but unpretending fruit has extended its way quietly through the country, along the parallels 40 to 42, without ever having had any extra puffing, such as has given notoriety to some of its compet.i.tors for places in the orchard. n.o.body speaks about this apple, nor writes about it, and yet it is everywhere to be found. This cannot be the _Black Apple_ of c.o.xe and Downing, being quite different in some of its strong characters. Origin unknown, supposed to have been introduced into the West by Silas Wharton, of Warren County, Ohio, as it is found with the White Pippin and other favorite sorts of his introduction, and is in his published list.

Tree sufficiently vigorous, but does not grow large, spreading, often drooping when old, branches open, always fruitful, either well distributed in a light crop, or crowded in a full one.

Fruit full medium, round, angular and irregular, sometimes ribbed; Surface smooth, completely covered with deep red, striped darker, giving a purple, almost black hue to the fruit, often covered with a thin bloom; one variety is always lighter, stripes more distinct, and the flesh more stained; Dots numerous, minute, indented, purple.

Basin mostly shallow, folded and plaited; Eye small to medium, closed.

Cavity deep, acute, brown, often wavy or folded; Stem short, medium or long, usually stout, sometimes k.n.o.bbed.

Core medium, regular, generally closed, clasping the eye; Seeds numerous, short, plump, pointed, dark; Flesh yellow, crisp, fine-grained, juicy, often stained pink or reddish; Flavor rich, mild sub-acid, aromatic, not spicy, satisfying; Quality good; Use, table, kitchen, cider and for stock; Season, December, January; keeps sound.

A good market apple.

=King.=

KING OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 262.--KING.]

This splendid apple, which has attracted so much attention of recent years, had its origin, as is supposed, in Tompkins County, New York, where it has been much cultivated.

Tree vigorous, healthy, large and spreading, an abundant annual bearer.

Fruit large, handsome, globular, irregular, somewhat conic, angular; Surface smooth, yellow, covered deep red, marbled and striped; Dots numerous, gray, large.

Basin shallow, folded; Eye large, short, closed.

Cavity wide, shallow, wavy; Stem short or long, thick or slender, red.

Core very large, turbinate, regular, closed; Seeds imperfect, angular; Flesh yellowish-white, tender, breaking; Flavor sub-acid, aromatic; Quality best; Use, table, kitchen and market; Season, December and longer.

=Missouri Keeper.=

Specimens from Norman J. Colman, Esq., Editor of the Rural World, St.

Louis, Missouri. Origin unknown.

Fruit medium to small, round, irregular; Surface smooth, shaded, mixed, striped red; Dots numerous, large, white, distinct.

Basin abrupt, regular; Eye small, closed.

Cavity narrow, regular; Stem medium to short, k.n.o.bby, thick.

Core regular, closed; Seeds numerous, long, plump, angular; Flesh yellow, breaking, tender, fine-grained, juicy; Flavor sub-acid; Quality good to very good; Use, table, market and kitchen; Season, January to July.

Specimens cut and described on the 25th of June were in perfect condition.

=Nonpareil.=

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 263.--NONPAREIL.]

The history and origin of this nice autumn fruit have not been ascertained, and it may prove to be an old variety with a changed name--considerably grown in Northern Illinois. Specimens from Dr. Geo.

Haskell, of Rockford, are here described.

Fruit medium to large, round, somewhat conic, angular, ribbed; Surface smooth, waxy-yellow, splashed crimson; Dots minute.

Basin shallow, folded and plaited; Eye small, closed.

Cavity deep, acute, wavy, sometimes lipped; Stem long to medium, thick, green.

Core wide, regular, open, meeting the eye; Seeds numerous, angular, brown; Flesh white, tender, fine-grained, juicy; Flavor acid, aromatic; Quality quite good; Use, table; Season, September and October.

=Stewart's Nonpareil.=--Local Name.

This early apple is quite a favorite in Clarke County, Ohio, and may prove to be the Tetofski, or some other known variety, when it comes to be more thoroughly examined. Fruits received from my brother, J.T.

Warder.

Fruit medium, roundish, conical, irregular, angular; Surface smooth, yellowish-green, splashed carmine; Dots minute, scattered, indented.

Basin small, abrupt, folded; Eye very small, closed.

Cavity deep, acute, narrow; Stem long, slender.

Core large, oval, open, clasping the eye; Seeds numerous, brown; Flesh white, tender, fine-grained, juicy; Flavor sub-acid; Quality good to best; Use, table and kitchen; Season, July and August, in lat.i.tude 40.

=Tetofski.=