220 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



winter apples to need a detailed description. When well grown it 

 is a choice dessert fruit, and it is also one of the best, if not the 

 very best, of cooking apples. The tree is productive and thrifty, 

 making a large spreading head. It is more hardy than the Bald- 

 win, but it has sometimes suffered a little, especially nursery trees, 

 in severe seasons. A very valuable variety, and indispensable in 

 every collection. 



Mr. C. Chamberlain of Foxcroft, one of our most skillful and 

 experienced orchardists, writes me that in Piscataquis county they 

 have a "variety of Greening that for cooking and eating combines 

 more excellences than any other apple in use here. November to 

 February. The tree large and vigorous, and is a good bearer ; 

 origin unknown — distinct from R. I. Greening." 



RoxBURY Russet. A well known apple, valuable for its late 

 keeping qualities. Above medium size, flattened ; yellowish rus- 

 set skin, sometimes with a blush cheek. Flesh greenish white, 

 rather dry, and of fair subacid flavor. Trees grafted in the nurse- 

 ry are tender, and impatient of transplanting ; hence it should be 

 cultivated only by grafting into the lijnbs of grown trees, and in 

 this way it usually proves hardy. In some soils (usually deep 

 and moist ones) it is very productive, and in others much less so. 

 For interesting facts regarding this fruit in Kennebec county, see 

 page 192. Spring and early summer. 



RiBSTON Pippin. Introduced manj^ years ago, by the late Dr. 

 Vaughn of Ilallowell, from England, where it is esteemed as the 

 best apple. Above medium size, roundish, a little flattened; skin 

 greenish yellow, streaked and mottled with dull saffron red in the 

 sun, and a little russety withal. Flesh yellow, firm, crisp, juicy, 

 with a peculiarly rich aromatic flavor. In quality it has few 

 equals. Downing remarks that in England no higher praise caji 

 be given to an apple than to say it has a Ribston flavor. The tree 

 is hardy, of vigorous growth and spreading habit ; in some locali- 

 ties very productive, and in a good many others much less so, for 

 which reason alone it is not recommended for extensive culture. 

 December to May. 



RuNNEixs. Medium size; deep green in the shade, but. mostly 

 covered with purplish or brownish red ; small protruding dots give 



