The Apples of New York. 267 



lished in 1^5,3, mention,^ a fall variety under the name of Pratt. 1 Since Pratt 

 Sweet appears to have heen but a local variety and since it was not brought 

 to notice in New York till 1869, and since its season is given as December to 

 March, it would seem that it is distinct from the Pratt of Humrickhouse. 

 Ragan at first listed them as identical (2) but now considers them as " possibly 

 identical. "2 



PRIESTLY, 



References, i. Coxe, 1817:146. fig. 2. Thacher, 1822:132. 3. Buel, A^. Y 

 Bd. Agr. Mem., 1826:476. 4. Wilson, 1828:136. 5. Kenrick, 1832:51. 6. 

 Downing, 1845:126. 7. Horticulturist, 2:483. 1848. 8. Emmons, Nat. Hist. 

 N. Y., 3:72. 1851. 9. Elliott, 1854:176. 10. Hooper, 1857:72. ii. Warder, 

 1867:729. 



Synonyms. Priestley (3, 5, 10). Priestley's American (6, 9). Red Cat- 

 head (9). 



Fruit medium to large, blushed or faintly striped with red. Although it 

 ranks only fair to good in quality it is an agreeable dessert apple especially 

 in the spring when it is fresh, juicy and mildly subacid. It is less desirable 

 for culinary uses because it lacks acidity. The tree is a pretty vigorous grower, 

 hardy, healthy, long-lived and commonly bears good crops annually. The 

 fruit hangs well to the tree. It is surpassed by standard varieties of its season 

 and is not recommended for planting. 



The following is Coxe's description of this variety: "This apple is said 

 to be a native of the county of Bucks in Pennsylvania, where it was first cul- 

 tivated by a person from whom it has obtained its name. The tree has a hand- 

 some, upright form, vigorous growth, and large leaves ; it is well suited to 

 light soils — the fruit is large, of an oblong form — the skin smooth, the colour 

 usually a dull red, streaked faintly with green, with spots of the same colour ; 

 the flesh is white, has a pleasant spicy taste — it is an excellent table and kitchen 

 apple; hangs late on the tree; is an abundant bearer, and makes good cider 

 late in the season, but not of the first quality." 



Fruit. 



Fruit large to medium. Forjit roundish oblate to roundish oblong, usually 

 quite regular and symmetrical. Stem long, usually rather slender. Cavity 

 acute to acuminate, moderately deep to very deep, broad, russeted and with 

 outspreading russet rays, sometimes faintly furrowed. Calyx large, usually 

 closed, sometmies partly open ; lobes connivent, erect or reflexed, broad, acute. 

 Basin very shallow to moderately deep, wide, obtuse or somewhat abrupt, 

 distinctly furrowed and wrinkled. 



Skin tough, smooth, green or yellow washed and blushed with red and 

 inconspicuously striped with dark carmine ; highly colored specimens are nearly 

 covered with deep red. Dots rather numerous toward basin, larger and more 

 scattering toward cavity, gray or russet. 



Calyx tube rather wide, conical. Stamens median or below. 



Core medium to small, axile : cells symmetrical, closed ; core lines meeting 

 or clasping. Carpels roundish, emarginate. Seeds large, wide, flat, obtuse to 

 somewhat acute, very dark brown. 



^Mag. Hort., 19:164. 1853. 

 ^Letter, 1905. 



