The Apples of New York. 173 



early January. In cold storage its commercial limit varies from Jan- 

 uary to March or sometimes later (30). 



As grown in New York the tree is hut a moderate grower and for 

 this reason it is well to top-work it upon some stock that is more 

 vigorous such as Northern Spy. Baldwin or Rhode Island Greening. 

 It does not grow much above medium size and may be planted more 

 closely than Baldwin. Particular attention should be given to keepv- 

 ing the soil fertile, well supplied with humus and well tilled, and the 

 trees should be thoroughly protected from injurious insects and 

 fungus-diseases. Under favorable conditions the tree is a reliable 

 cropper bearing good crops biennially or in some cases almost an- 

 nually. It comes into bearing rather young. Usually the fruit 

 hangs pretty well to the tree. It is not recommended for general 

 commercial planting in New York but in some places under good 

 management it has proved a profitable variety. 



Historical. The first published account which we find of the Jonathan is 

 that given by Judge J. Buel, of Albany, in 1826, in an article on " Observa- 

 tions on the utility of a Descriptive Catalogue of Garden and Orchard Fruit," 

 addressed to the members of the New York Horticultural Society, in which 

 he presents "A Descriptive Catalogue of some of the most valuable apples 

 propagated in the nurseries of this state.'' In this catalogue the Jonathan 

 is listed as the Esopus Spitzenberg (New) with the synonym Ulster Seedling 

 (i). In 1829 Judge Buel sent specimens of the fruit to the Massachusetts 

 Horticultural Society with the statement that it was " An Esopus Seedling 

 and sometimes called the New Spitzenberg." It originated on the farm of 

 Mr. Philip Rick of Woodstock, Ulster county. New York (7). According 

 to Downing the original tree was still alive in 1845. It was at first dissemi- 

 nated under various names, all of which were soon superseded by the name 

 Jonathan which was assigned to it by Judge Buel in honor of Jonathan Has- 

 brouck by whom his attention was first called to the variety. It has been 

 widely disseminated throughout the apple-growing regions of New York but 

 in none of them is it grown extensivelj'. It is extensively planted in regions 

 farther west and south where, as above stated, it is recognized in many local- 

 ities as one of the leading commercial varieties. 



Tree. 



Tree medium in size, a moderately vigorous or rather slow grower. Form 

 roundish or spreading, somewhat drooping, rather dense. Tivigs medium in 

 length, nearly straight, rather slender ; internodes short. Bark dark brownish- 

 red mingled with dark green, and heavily coated with scarf-skin ; pubescent. 

 Lenticels usually very scattering, sometimes moderately numerous, small to 

 medium or sometimes large, roundish to oblong, not raised. Buds medium, 

 plump, rather narrow, acute to obtuse, free, pubescent. Leaves medium or 

 below, rather narrow. 



