52 The Apples of New York. 



AUCUBA. 



References, i. Leroy, 1873:301. Hg. 2. Beach, N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 14:586. 

 1892. 3. Bailey, An. Hort., 1892:234. 4. Thomas, 1903:689. 5. Powell and 

 Fulton, U. S. B. P. I. Bui, 48:36. 1903. 6. Beach and Clark, A^. Y. Sta. Bui., 

 248:111. 1904. 



Synonyms. Acuba-leaved Reinette (4). Acuba-leaf Reinette (2). 

 Feuilles D"Aucuba(i). Aucub.efolia (3). Reinette a fcuillc d'Acuba {2). 



The Aucuba is a moderately attractive apple of medium size and 

 pretty good quality. The tree is hardy, healthy and bears regularly 

 and abundantly. It is in season from October to January. The 

 variety is not recommended for general planting because the fruit is 

 second rate in size, appearance and quality. 



Historical, l.eroy ( i ) states that Aucuba was described as early as 1839 

 in Jar din fruitier p. 216, but that its origin is still unknown. In New York 

 state it has been disseminated but sparingly and is not commonly known. 



Tree. 



Tree moderately vigorous ; branches moderately long and stout. Form 

 rather open, upright spreading. Tzcigs long, slightly curved, moderately 

 slender ; internodes below medium to short. Bark dark reddish-brown with 

 light scarf-skin, pubescent. Lenticels numerous, small, round. Buds medium, 

 rather long, acute, pubescent, often free. Leaves large and broad. 



Aucuba begins bearing rather young and usually bears annual crops. There 

 is some tendency for the fruit to drop before the crop is ready to be gathered. 



Fruit. 



Fruit medium to above, pretty uniform in size and shape. Form roundish 

 inclined to conic, sometimes a little oblate, sides occasionally unequal. Stem 

 usually long and slender. Cavity acuminate, sometimes acute, deep, moder- 

 ately narrow to rather broad, nearly symmetrical, seldom russeted. Calyx 

 small, closed or partly open ; lobes long, acuminate. Basin usually narrow 

 and shallow, sometimes moderately wide and moderately deep, obtuse to rather 

 abrupt, often somewhat furrowed and corrugated. 



Skin smooth, waxen yellow, rather pale but bright, often nearly covered 

 with bright pinkish-red indistinctly marked with narrow carmine stripes. In 

 well colored fruit the red rather predominates over the yellow. Dots very 

 inconspicuous, gray or russet. General appearance is rather attractive. 



Calyx tube either rather short, narrow, cone-shaped, with core lines nearly 

 meeting, or narrowly funnel-form, in which case the core lines clasp the 

 cylinder of the calyx tube. Stamens median. 



Core medium to small, axile, partly open or sometimes closed. 



Carpels smooth, slightly emarginate, roundish cordate, sometimes distinctly 

 narrowing toward the apex. Seeds numerous, small to medium, narrow, acute 

 or acuminate. 



Flesh whitish with yellow tinge, firm, breaking, fine, tender, juicy, sprightly 

 subacid, with distinct aroma, good to very good. 



Season October to January; some of the fruit may keep till spring but it 

 is apt to deteriorate in flavor and quality after midwinter. 



