240 



SYSTEM A TIC POMOT.OCy 



Fig. G8. Alexander. 



Davis and Mclntosli mailf at the New York A«ri-i('ultural Experi- 

 iiH'iit Station in 1S!)8. Tlie variety was disti'il)ul('cl in liil.") and 

 now j)r()niist's to Ix' a close competitor or to take the place of 

 Mclntosli where the latter is grown. 



361. Alexander (Fig. ()8). Aporia. — Merits of the trees are 

 vigor, hardiness, productiveness, earliness and regularity of 

 bearing; of the fruits, large size and hand- 

 some appearance. The chief fault of the 

 tree is susceptibility to blight. The apples 

 are suitable only for culinary purposes; 

 they ripen unevenly ; droj) prematurely ; 

 and do not keep well in either common or 

 cold storage. The variety is much used 

 as a filler in some apple regions, and as a 

 permanent tree where hardiness is a determinant. Alexander 

 was introduced into England in 1817 ; when into America is not 

 known. 



Tree large, vigorous, with long stout branches, upright-spreading, open, 

 droo})ing. Fruit large, round-conic to oblate-conic, broadly angular, sym- 

 metrical; stem short, thick; cavity acute, deep, broad, symmetrical, occa- 

 sionally lipped, russeted, with broad conspicuous outspreading russet rays; 

 calyx large, open; lobes short, narrow, acute; basin small, deep, narrow, 

 abrupt, smooth, symmetrical; skin thick, tough, smooth, glossy, waxen, pale 

 yellow deepening to orange-yellow^ in the sun, overspread with lively red 

 or striped and splashed with carmine; dots inconspicuous, scattering; calyx- 

 tube long, wide, conical; stamens median; core small, usually axile; cells 

 closed or slightly open; core-lines clasping; carpels elliptical, emarginate ; 

 seeds wide, short, plump, obtuse; flesh faint yellow, firm, coarse, crisp, 

 tender, juicy, mild subacid; fair to good; September to November. 



362. Wolf River (Fig. 69) is of note chiefly for its very large 

 apples. The fruits resemble those of the 

 better-know^n Alexander in color, shape, 

 and quality ; but average larger and are 

 rounder and less conical. The tree is 

 very hardy and thrifty, but is only mod- 

 erately productive. In the West, many pre- 

 fer tree and fruit to the Alexander, — not so 

 in the East. The variety originated on the 

 farm of W. A. Springer, Wolf River, Wisconsin, and was first 

 described in 1875. 



Fig. 69. Wolf River. 



