74 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



3. Amateur List— For amateur purposes, consisting strictly of dessert varieties, selected' 

 for high qualities, with ample varieties and succession. 



APPLES — SUMMER VAKIETIES, 



Market Varieties — Early Harvest, Red Astrachan, Duchess of Oldenburgh (second qual- 

 ity). Maiden's Blush. 



Family List — Early Harvest, Red Astrachan, Primate, Large Yellow Bough, Maiden's 

 Blush. 



Amateur List — Early Harvest, Carolina Red June (for the Southwest), Sine Qua Nod, 

 Early Strawberry, Early Joe, Large Yellow Bough, Summer Rose (in certain localities). 



The above constitute the summer varieties of apples recommended bv the 

 Society at its January session at Lansing, for market, for the family, and for 

 amateur purposes. Let us review them briefly: 



THE EARLY HARVEST. 



This is the most popular early apple extant. The boys and the men who 

 work in the wheat harvest know and welcome it about the first of July, when 

 it begins to ripen. At that season the Early Harvest tree is the popular and 

 favorite resort of all who relish the rich, sprightly, sub-acid flavor of its delicate 

 fruit. It is of American origin, well known over a large extent of country, 

 east and west, for its beauty and productiveness, and for its excellent qualities 

 for dessert and cooking. Money can be made with it in the market. Down- 

 ing says it should be included in the smallest list. Pains should be taken to 

 give it rich cultivation, and to thin the fruit, thereby obtaining large-sized 

 specimens, which bring a good price in the city markets. The flesh is tender, 

 white, and juicy, and of refreshing flavor. The skin is smooth, of a bright 

 straw color when fully ripe. Coxe, one of the earliest American writers on 

 this subject, describes it under the name of the Early French Reinette. It is 

 known as the July Pippin, Yellow Harvest, Tart Bough, Prince's Harvest. 

 Its present name. Early Harvest, is so appropriate that it is likely to stick. 

 The round form and spreading upright character of the tree is so well known 

 that we omit minute description. It is a moderate grower. This fruit has a 

 place in the amateur, family, and market lists. There was no other place in 

 which to put it. 



THE RED ASTRACHAN. 



Not many apples of European origin flourished in perfection on our western- 

 continent, though occasionally there comes from the north of Europe an apple 

 with cosmopolitan characteristics. Thus the pale sister, the Early Harvest,, 

 has a Swedish brother of true sanguine and Scandinavian complexion, of such 

 vigorous habit that by general acclamation he has been naturalized and admitted 

 to the great union list of orchard fruits. No list is complete without the Red 

 Astrachan, which is found in all the States of the temperate zone. It came 

 from Sweden to England in 1816, and in America bears more abundantly than 

 in its native clime. Downing endorses it in emphatic lanouage, and he styles 

 it a fruit of " extraordinary beauty." It bears abundantly, and its singular 

 richness of color is heightened by an exquisite bloom on its surface, like that 

 of a plum. This is not a first-class dessert fruit, though its beautiful appear- 

 ance will adorn any table. Its chief value is in its prime cooking qualities. 



The good housewife who delights in an early apple, finds in the crisp, white 

 flesh, and the juicy acid flavor of this variety her perfection of fruits for late 

 summer and early autumn pies and sauces. Its cooking qualities render it 

 profitable for market, and this is greatly enhanced by its very handsome^ 



