4 THE APPLES OF NEW YORK. 



against some twig or branch; there is also a considerable loss from 

 premature dropping of the fruit. Notwithstanding these faults 

 many fruit growers now regard Alexander favorably as a com- 

 mercial variety as in some markets there is a strong demand for 

 the fruit at good prices. It is being used to some extent for ex- 

 port trade (40). Its season begins in September and extends 

 through October or into November. It may be held in cold 

 storage till November. It goes down quickly and as it does not 

 stand heat well before going into storage it should be shipped the 

 day it is picked and under ice (39). As it ripens continuously 

 during a period of from four to six weeks it should have more 

 than one picking. The tree is hardy, vigorous and moderately 

 productive. In some localities it is subject to blight. It can be 

 recommended for planting in commercial orchards to a limited 

 extent. In the West it is now largely supplanted by its Wisconsin 

 seedling Wolf River (34, 36). 



Historical. Introduced into England from Russia in 1817 (20). The 

 exact date of the introduction of this variety into America is not known. 

 The Massachusetts Horticultural Society made several importations of 

 European varieties which were distributed among the members of the society. 

 Mr. Manning exhibited what was supposed to be Alexander before the 

 Massachusetts Horticultural Society at its meeting on September 18, 1830. 

 Whether this was Alexander or not, the shipment of varieties of which 

 Alexander was one had evidently been made prior to that date. 1 



It has been widely disseminated and is now pretty well known in the apple 

 growing districts from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Thus far it has not been 

 grown to any considerable extent in New York state but at the present time 

 its cultivation is on the increase. 



TREE. 



Tree large to medium, vigorous to moderately vigorous with long, stout 

 branches. Form upright spreading to roundish, open and somewhat inclined 

 to droop after bearing heavy crops. Tzvigs short, curved, stout with large 

 terminal buds ; internodes medium. Bark brown mingled with olive-green, 

 lightly streaked with scarf-skin; slightly pubescent near tips. Lcniicels 

 scattering, medium in size, oval, raised. Buds medium in size, plump, obtuse, 

 free, slightly pubescent. 



FRUIT. 



Fruit large, uniform in size and shape. Form roundish conic to slightly 

 oblate conic, regular or approaching broadly angular, symmetrical. Stem 

 medium to rather short, moderately thick. Cavity acute to acuminate, deep, 

 broad, symmetrical, occasionally lipped, russeted, often with broad, con- 



1JV. E. Farmer, Sept. 24, 1830:78. 



