VARIETIES OF APPLES 



265 



Fig. 90. Black 

 Gilliflower. 



409. Black Gilliflower (Fig. 90). Gilliflower.— This variety, 

 threatened with oblivion, is again being 

 planted. The distinct form, color, flavor, 

 and aroma of the apples mark it as an 

 unusual and attractive fruit, fit for dessert, 

 and excellent for cookery. The apples, 

 eaten out of hand or cooked, have a most 

 agreeable flavor and aroma. They are 

 usually perfect, uniform in size and shape, 

 and keep very well in either cold-storage or 

 the cellar. The trees are vigorous, healthy, 

 and fruitful. Black Gilliflower was known in New England as 

 early as the Revolutionary War. 



Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading. Fruit medium to large, oblong- 

 conic, ribbed; stem long, thick; cavity acuminate, wide, lipped but usually 

 symmetrical, with red-russet outspreading rays; calyx closed; basin shallow 

 and furrowed and wrinkled; skin thick, tough, smooth, yellow, almost black, 

 obscurely striped with darker crimson and with streaks of scarf-skin, giving 

 the effect of dull bloom; dots numerous, gray, small, rough; calyx-tube 

 large, wide, cone-shape; stamens median; core large, axile, closed; core- 

 lines clasping; carpels long-ovate, tapering both ways, emarginate, tufted; 

 seeds often abortive, acuminate, tufted; flesh yellow, firm, tender, coarse, 

 juicy becoming dry, mild subacid, rich, peculiarly aromatic, good; October 

 to February. 



410. Delicious (Fig. 91). Stai^k Delicious. — No new apple of 



recent times has been more widely planted, 

 or better received by consumers and grow- 

 ers. Introduced in 1895, its culture has 

 spread throughout the apple district of the 

 United States. In the orchards of the West 

 and Northwest, it has been extensively 

 planted and is proving a commercial suc- 

 cess. The rich distinctive flavor of the 

 apple is its chief asset, although it has size 

 and beauty as well. The trees are nearly 



perfect orchard plants. The variety was found in 1881 by Jesse 



Hiatt, Peru, Iowa. 



Tree large, vigorous, spreading, hardy, productive. Fruit large, uniform, 

 oblong-conic, ribbed; stem long, medium thick; cavity deep, broad, often 

 furrowed, flaring, greenish; calyx medium, nearly closed, with long, nar- 



FiG. 91. Delicious. 



