The Apples of New York. 53 



BABBITT. 



References, i. Gano, Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1889:130. 2. Bailey, An. Hort., 

 1892:234. 3. U. S. Agr. R[>f., 1893:286. 4. Lyon, Mich. Sta. Bid., 169:180. 

 1899. 5. Fulton, lb., 194:62. igoi. 6. Tliomas, 1903:322 7. Budd-Hansen, 



1903:41- 



Synonym. Western Balda'in (3, 6, 7). 



Babbitt is a very handsome large apple, red and striped, of about 

 the same season as the Tompkins King. It is excellent for cooking 

 but too sour for dessert. It is hardy, healthy and very vigorous. 

 In Western New York, so far as tested, it appears to be productive, 

 comes into bearing rather young, and bears heavy biennial crops. 

 In fact some report that the fruit sets so abundantly that it is apt 

 to be rather small unless attention be given to pruning and thinning. 

 Further testing is required to determine its merits for this region. 

 It has been found very productive in Michigan (5), and is reported 

 as generally productive in the central states (3). In Eastern New 

 York, although it blooms abundantly, it has been found to be a shy 

 bearer. On this account and because the fruit is very acid, it is not 

 there considered worthy of cultivation. 



Historical. Babbitt originated from seed of Baldwin about 1845 with C. W. 

 Babbitt of Woodford county, Illinois (3). 



Tree. 

 Tree vigorous to very vigorous. Form roundish spreading, rather open ; 

 branches stout, often crooked, tough, with strong joints which hold heavy 

 loads without splitting. Tzvigs moderately long, rather stocky, varying from 

 curved to nearly straight ; internodes very short. Bark bright olive-green 

 with dull reddish-brown markings, thickly mottled with scarf-skin ; quite 

 pubescent. Lenticels irregularly scattering, medium to small, usually roundish 

 or somewhat elongated. Buds medium to large, broad, obtuse, pubescent. 

 Leaves medium to large, rather broad, dark green, with thick texture. 



Fruit. 



Fruit somewhat resembles Wagener in form, being large, roundish oblate, 

 slightly angular and somewhat irregular. Ston short. Cavity obtuse to acute, 

 moderately shallow, medium to broad, slightly russeted. Calyx nearly closed. 

 Basin somewhat abrupt, moderately deep, somewhat furrowed, slightly corru- 

 gated. 



Skin bright pale yellow with mottled red cheek, striped with bright carmine. 

 When well grown the fruit has good size, bright attractive color and fine 

 general appearance. 



Calyx tube conical approaching funnel-form. Stamens median. 



Core rather small, axile, closed ; core lines clasping. Carpels broad, roundish, 

 nearly truncate. Seeds dark brown, medium or below, 



