THE APPLES OF NEW YORK. 137 



tree comes into bearing rather young and yields good crops bien- 

 nially. In 1895 Craig wrote concerning McMahon: "Attention is 

 again drawn to some of its merits as an apple of value for regions 

 where Northern Spy, Ribston Pippin and Rhode Island Greening 

 cannot be grown profitably on account of their inability to with- 

 stand the severity of the climate. It has proved so far a remark- 

 ably vigorous and healthy grower, making probably more well 

 matured wood growth than any other variety in the orchard, and is 

 free from many of the defects characteristic to varieties unadapted 

 to this climate. It has borne moderately heavy crops for the last 

 two years. The fruit is of the largest size, smooth and handsome, 

 though lacking in color as grown in this vicinity and somewhat 

 soft in texture " (18). It is less desirable than standard kinds of 

 its season for growing commercially in New York because it is 

 only moderately attractive in general appearance, its color is such 

 that it readily shows bruises and it does not rank high either in 

 flavor or quality. 



Historical. This variety originated about 1860 in Richland county, Wis., 

 and is supposed to be a seedling of the Alexander. It is frequently listed by 

 nurserymen, but it has thus far been but little planted in New York. 



TREE. 



Tree medium size, vigorous. Form rather spreading. Twigs medium 

 size, slender, straight or nearly so; internodes above medium. Bark dull 

 dark reddish-brown; slightly pubescent. Lenticels numerous, below medium 

 or sometimes medium, elongated, somewhat raised, dull. Buds medium or 

 below, rather acute, thin, often appressed, slightly pubescent. 



FRUIT. 



Fruit large or very large. Form roundish inclined to conic, faintly ribbed. 

 Stem medium in length, moderately thick. Cavity remarkably acuminate, 

 very deep, broad, compressed, slightly russeted and with outspreading rays. 

 Calyx rather small, slightly open; lobes separated at base, short. Basin 

 moderately deep, rather narrow to moderately wide, abrupt, compressed, 

 slightly furrowed and wrinkled. 



Skin pale greenish-yellow or nearly white with irregular stripes and 

 patches of whitish scarf-skin extending out from the cavity over the base, 

 and often having the cheek overspread with a thin blush which sometimes 

 is faintly splashed and striped with carmine. Dots few, inconspicuous, 

 small, greenish or russet. 



Calyx tube rather long, wide, broadly conical inclined to funnel-form or 

 cylindrical. Stamens median to basal. 



