39° The Canadian Horticulturist. 



gated or star-shaped, and surrounded with hght or green bases. Although small, 

 these dots are in no wise to be overlooked. 



The seeds may b^ numerous or rare, large or small, yellowish, like High- 

 top, or grey, brown or black. In shape they vary also, from short and plump, 

 to slender and imperfect, as may be found in King of Tompkins. 



The surface is sometimes uneven, lumpy, or pimpled, again it is smooth 

 and glossy, like Wealthy, or waxy to the touch. Lowell is often called " Greasy 

 Pippin " from this cause. All grades may be found, from a surface like polished 

 glass, to the rough and rasping coat of the Russets. Color is a striking feature, 

 but it is so often changed by climate, culture, season, sunshine, or shade, that 

 we are apt to be misled by it. 



If reddish stripes are never displayed, but merely a blush, or if no red color 

 appears at all, it is proper to call the variety self-colored. Those that are striped 

 or splashed with red in its different tints and shades, form another distinct class, 

 and also the largest. 



That peculiarity which we call russet forms the third class as regards color, 

 and is most puzzling. Roxbury is usually distinct enough, hut varies with the 

 conditions of growth and climate. I have seen Pryor sometimes heavily rus- 

 seted, and again as brightly striped as Ben Davis. There are more or less 

 russet marks on nearly all varieties, and especially about the cavity, which is 

 indeed a very good guide to their identity. In some it gives a sort of bronzed 

 appearance. Another form is a sort of leather-cracked appearance about the 

 basin, peculiar to very few kinds. 



One of the most peculiar marks is what might be called pin-scratches, run. 

 ning from stem to eye, notably on Tallman and rarely on Keswick. They never 

 exceed five, and in the Northern climates are much more distinct than in the 

 South and West. Not to be overlooked is what we call bloom. The Russian 

 varieties and the Crabs are almost invariably covered with it ; it is a reliable 

 mark of identity. Another characteristic is a grayish-white coating, such as is 

 seen in stripes upon White Pippin and White Winter Pearmain. Sometimes it 

 is suffused with other colors, giving a dull color to otherwise bright skin. 



The size of all fruits is so varied that we must not lay too much stress upon 

 this point. We see Lady apples as. big as average Maiden's Blush, and Falla- 

 water the same size ; then we are forced to depend on shape, or almost any 

 other indication. Apples may be graded as very small, small, medium, large, 

 and very large. 



The stem is with some kinds a constant mark, but it often fails to be so. It 

 may be short, medium, or long, and stout or slender. Occasionally there is a 

 pulpy growth upon the stem, which may be denoted as fleshy. The points of 

 resemblance between the pomes are so close that but little deviation is necessary, 

 and a repetition of descriptions will be avoided whenever possible. 



