266 The Apples of New York. 



This is regarded by Bailey as a hybrid between the native prairie crab, 

 Pyrus locnsis, and the common apple, Pyrus malus (13), in which opinion 

 he is supported by Craig (14). It is distinct from the Soulard apple. 

 According to Soulard's account (13) "it originated on a farm about twelve 

 miles from St. Louis, Mo., where stood an American crab thicket not in- 

 closed, near the farmhouse, about twenty-five years since. The thicket was 

 cut down and the ground cultivated some two or three years ; culture being 

 discontinued, another crab thicket sprang up, and when bearing, one tree (the 

 identical kind now called Soulard crab) was discovered. The fruit as- 

 tonished me by its remarkably large size, being sent to me by a friend 

 whose widowed mother, Mrs. Freeman Delauriere, occupied the farm. I im- 

 mediately propagated it by grafting upon crab stock and upon our common 

 seedlings. Upon both stocks producing the same fruit and thriving admir- 

 ably, I disseminated it among my friends as a very desirable fruit, having 

 nothing of the Siberian type. It is to me conclusive that this crab is the 

 offspring of an accidental hybridization of the wild crab by our common 

 apple. The tree, its foliage, habit, increased size of fruit and tree, and 

 decreased acerbity, convince me it is a hybrid, and as far as I know, the 

 first instance of such cross. 



" I consider it the most desirable of all crabs that I have seen. Adding 

 sweetness, it is delicious baked. It makes most excellent preserves, being 

 large enough to be quartered, and unsurpassed by any crab for jams, jellies, 

 etc., imparting its delicate taste and rich crab aroma. The largest have 

 measured over seven inches around. In form, color and smell it is like 

 the common crab, and it hangs on the tree until destroyed by frost. It 

 will keep two years, with common care, in a cellar, and will stand repeated 

 freezing and thawing in a dark place. It is agreeable to many palates in 

 the spring. 



" The tree is an immense grower in the nursery, coming early into fruit and 

 making but little growth afterward, and is an immense and regular bearer. 

 I have made some cider as clear as wine, with sugar or a quarter part of 

 sweet apples. It will make delicious strong cider. Tree perfectly hardy, 

 having stood the severest winters here and at St. Paul, Minn., for twenty- 

 five years." 



After giving the testimony of several observers with regard to the value 

 of this hybrid for the Upper Mississippi valley Bailey concludes : " It is 

 probable that too much was expected of the Soulard crab when it was first 

 introduced, and that it afterward, suffered from the partial collapse. Such 

 an array of apples has now been introduced into the cold Northwest — from 

 the East, from Russia, oft'spring of the Siberian crab, and local seedlings 

 of the common apple — that the Soulard crab and its kin have been ob- 

 scured" (13). 



The variety is still listed by some nurserymen (10). It is practically un- 

 known in New York and has no value for this state. 



TRANSCENDENT, 



References, i. Horticulturist, 22:125. 1867. 2. Warder, Tilt. Jour. Hort., 

 5:205. 1869. Hg. 3. Downing, 1869:426. 4. Todd, 1871:83. Hg. 5. Fitz, 



