656 Journal of Agricidtiire. [11 Oct., 1909 



DESCRIPTIOX OF APPLE. 



French Crab. 



/. Croiiin, Pr'iucipal, Scliool of Hflrticitlfiire. Burnley. 



Fruit medium size, roundish, slightly xidged at the crown. Skin 

 smooth and shining, green, strewed with small russet dots, flushed with 

 red where exposed to the sun. Eye small and closed, set in a shallow- 

 basin. Stalk short, inserted in a round cavity. Flesh greenish white, 

 finely grained, crisp and juicv, pleasantly acid. Quality first-class for 

 culinary purposes. 



The French Crab is the longest-keeping cooking apple, it being possible 

 to obtain it in good condition until Christmas when the new season's early 

 varieties are maturing. Some years back it was a popular variety, and 

 was largely planted in districts near Melbourne, but is rarely seen now in 

 modern commercial orchards. A few growers still maintain that it is 

 worthy of a place, but the consensus of opinion is that it is not as profit- 

 able as other kinds. The principal objection of many growers is the 

 rotting of the fruit, even while still attached to the tree. In some soils 

 and districts quite a large proportion of the fruit is affected at times. The 

 fruit sold in Melbourne in the winter months is principally produced in 

 Tasmania, where French Crab is largely grown. 



The tree is vigorous and hardy and succeeds in any soil suitable for 

 apple growing in the Southern districts of the State. Many large speci- 

 mens may yet be seen in old-established orchards in various parts of Vic- 

 toria, but the greater part of the trees planted years ago have been removed, 

 -or have been cut do\vn and re-grafted. Many of the ola txees beai' 

 abundant evidence of the liabilit} of this variety to the attacks, of woolly 

 aphis, and on that account alone it has frequently lieen discarded. 



French Crab is identical with the vaxietv grown in England as Winter 

 Greening. The latter name is undoubtedly the most appropriate and 

 ■descriptive and, according to Hogg, is the original name. 



Allowing for the possibility of cheaply and easily combating any 

 diseases that may affect it, French Crab is a fair variety, but there are 

 numerous kinds likely to be more profitable. 



