THE APPLES OF NEW YORK. 139 



As grown in New York Gilpin is not a good commercial variety 

 because it is rather small and does .not rank high in quality. Its color 

 is rather dark red over a clear yellow background. In ordinary 

 cellar storage it usually keeps till June or later and is then accept- 

 able for dessert and very good for certain culinary uses, particularly 

 for boiling. It makes excellent cider. The tree is hardy, healthy, 1 

 moderately productive and a biennial bearer. The fruit hangs firmly 

 to the tree till loosened by the frost. 



Historical. " This apple is said to have been brought from Virginia. It 

 obtained its name from a family in the Delaware state" (i). "It was culti- 

 vated and distributed by Coxe and has found its way into the orchards and 

 into favor all over the country on account of its productiveness and early 

 bearing" (12). 



TREE. 



Tree moderately vigorous or slow growing. Form round, open, spreading 

 with rather short and somewhat drooping laterals. Twigs short, slender, 

 straight ; internodes medium. Bark rather dull reddish-brown overlaid with 

 thin to rather thick scarf-skin; somewhat pubescent. Leniicels moderately 

 numerous, small, elongated, raised, of clear color, conspicuous. Buds rather 

 small, prominent, heavily pubescent, adhering. Foliage not very dense, some- 

 what curled. 



FRUIT. 



Fruit above medium to rather small ; uniform in size and shape. Form 

 roundish to ovate truncate, sometimes nearly cylindrical, often obscurely 

 ribbed, symmetrical or sides slightly unequal, sometimes oblique. Stem short. 

 Cavity acute to acuminate, sometimes shallow but usually deep, rather broad, 

 obscurely furrowed or compressed, sometimes lipped, often partly russeted. 

 Calyx large, open, rarely closed ; lobes leafy, reflexed, long, acute or acuminate, 

 sometimes separated at base. Basin often oblique, usually deep, wide, abrupt 

 and prominently furrowed but sometimes rather shallow and moderately 

 narrow or compressed, often distinctly wrinkled. 



Skin tough, smooth, rather glossy, greenish-yellow becoming clear deep 

 yellow, with brownish-red cheek often deepening to an attractive clear dark 

 red. Prevailing effect dark red mingled with good yellow. 



Calyx tube wide varying from short truncate funnel-shape to urn-shape. 

 Stamens basal. 



Core axile, below medium to above ; cells pretty symmetrical, usually closed 

 or sometimes partly open; core lines meeting or sometimes slightly clasping. 

 Carpels round to ovate, narrowing towards apex, mucronate, slightly emargi- 

 nate. Seeds numerous, dark brown, large to medium or below, plump, acute, 

 slightly tufted. 



Flesh yellowish, very firm, rather coarse, at first hard but becoming some- 

 what crisp and tender as the season advances, moderately juicy, nearly sweet 

 or mild subacid, pleasant, good. 



Season February to June. 



