Descriptions of Select Varieties of Apples. 545 



origin is unknown ; but it is believed to have originated in Mid- 

 dlesex county, where it is more extensively cultivated than 

 any other part of the State. The trees have a healthy and 

 vigorous growth, with deep reddish wood. 



Size, large, about three and a half inches broad, and three 

 deep: Form, roundish, regular, flattened at each end, and 

 narrowing a little to the crown : Skin, fair, smooth, having a 

 dull yellow ground, but nearly or quite covered with dull 

 red, distinctly striped and splashed with dark dull crimson, 

 rather thickly covered with large pale russet specks, with streaks 

 of russet around the stem, and the whole surface overspread 

 with a dense bluish bloom: Stem, short, about half an inch long, 

 rather stout, curved, and inserted in a rather broad and deep 

 cavity : Eye, medium size, partially closed, and moderately 

 depressed in an open, and slightly furrowed basin ; segments 

 of the calyx short : Flesh, yellow, fine, and rather firm ; Juice, 

 tolerably abundant, pleasantly acid, rich, high-flavored, and 

 excellent : Core, large, rather open : Seeds, small, pale brown. 

 Ripe from October to January. 



XXIII. HuBBARDSTON NoNsucH. Afnerican Orchardist. 



The Hubbardston Nonsuch ( fig. 50,) has acquired a rep- 

 utation as one of the very best of apples. Of large size, beau- 

 tiful appearance, and regular form, with a yellow and tender 

 flesh, and rich flavor, it must claim a prominent place among 

 the finest of our autumn apples. We say autumn, because 

 most writers have placed it among the winter varieties, where 

 it does not belong, — not even among early winter apples. We 

 have never eaten a single specimen which had not lost most 

 of its juiciness by the last of November ; and, on inquiry in 

 the market, we learn that it is rarely to be found after the 

 middle of that month. Its period of maturity is during the 

 months of October and November, after which it becomes a 

 mealy and indifferent fruit. 



The Hubbardston Nonsuch originated in the town of Hub- 

 bardston, Mass., and is cultivated to considerable extent in 

 the eastern portion of the State, finding a ready sale in Bos- 

 ton market, where it is in much request. The tree is a mod- 



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