252 STxVTE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



half tender, juicy, mild, pleasant, snb-aeid ; good to very good; core medium; 

 January to April." 



GEATTAN 



is a new apple, and the only one of strictly Michigan origin that has recently 

 secured a place in the standard pomological literature of the day, so far as we 

 now recollect. A history and description will be found in the appendix to 

 Downing's revised edition, at page 12, as follows: 



" This new large apple was grown from seed by Nehemiah Smith, of Grat- 

 tan, but while quite young, before fruiting, was removed to the farm of Solo- 

 mon Deal, of Oakfield, Michigan (both in Kent county). It is highly prized 

 in that section for culinary purposes, as well as for the table. Tree vigorous, 

 upright, forming a round, open head, producing good crops annually, and 

 larger ones alternate years. 



" Fruit large to very large, roundish oblate, slightly conic., regular; skin 

 smooth, bright yellow, moderately sprinkled with grayish dots; stalk very 

 short, small; cavity large, deep, sometimes slightly russeted; calyx open or 

 partially closed; basin large, deep, nearly smooth; flesh yellowish, a little 

 coarse, tender, juicy, sub-acid; good to very good; core small. September to 

 December." 



Coming as this does from the shelter and virgin soils of a comparatively new 

 country, it can hardly be expected to maintain its local reputation in older 

 soils and less favorable situations. Hence we would caution experimenters to 

 test it thoroughly before planting largely. 



SOMERSET 



will be found described in Downing's appendix. Several years' trial of it in 

 our orchards in eastern Michigan, has given us a very favorable impression of 

 this as a desirable variety for the dessert, though we can by no means recom- 

 mend it as a profitable market fruit. Downing says of it: "Of uncertain 

 origin ; supposed to have originated in the town of Somerset, N. Y. Tree 

 vigorous, spreading; an annual bearer, but heavier crops every other year; a 

 rich, high flavored apple, desirable for family use. Fruit below medium, round- 

 ish conical, much narrowed towards the calyx; skin whitish yellow, some net- 

 tings and patches of russet, and a few brown dots ; stalk of medium length, 

 slender ; cavity medium ; calyx closed, basin small, corrugated ; flesh quite 

 white, fine, very tender, juicy, rich, highly aromatic; very good or best; core 

 medium. October." 



In the appendix above spoken of will be found described nearly one hun- 

 dred varieties of apples, nearly all of which seem to have been brought to the 

 author's notice since the completion of the last revision of his work ; of these, 

 sixty have originated south of Michigan and New York, twenty-six north of 

 the south line of those States, and ten are of European origin ; one only — the 

 Grattan — being of Michigan origin. 



We may be expected to include in these notices, quite a list of what are 

 known as "Iron Clads," such as Lawver, Pewaukee, Plum's Cider, Kolla, Stark, 

 Walbridge, Wealthy and others, which the requirements of the arctico-torrid 

 cHmate of the prairie States have developed into notice, for the reason that the 

 more luscious, but unfortunately, less hardy old varieties of the east, fail to 

 meet the severe requirements of their case. But, to Michigan planters, de- 

 scriptions of these may be assumed to be of little value, since few if any intel- 

 ligent planters here are likely to substitute them for such old and well tried 



