63 



receiving at present from those who are planting commercial 

 orchards. The tree is reasonably hardy, winter-killing only 

 in rather severe climates; it is long-lived and generally 

 healthy, though it does not come into bearing early. Prob- 

 ably eight or nine years would be the usual time required to 

 bring it into bearing. It makes a characteristic tree, being 

 strong and vigorous, and, as already noted, healthy, although 

 the fruit and foliage are both liable to scab, and in some sec- 

 tions the apple canker attacks it. The fonn of the tree is 

 decidedly drooping, and for this reason it might be headed 

 somewhat higher than the varieties of more upright growth. 

 Its season is a little earlier than that of the Baldwin, and it 

 is a good companion A-ariety to plant with the Baldwin in com- 

 mercial orchards. The fruit is a bright, handsome green in 

 color in the autumn and early winter, but changes to a yellow 

 color later in the season. It is undoubtedly one of the best 

 cooking apples grown, and a Rhode Island Greening pie is 

 fit for a king. It is by no means to be despised as a dessert 

 apple. It is more nearly an annual bearer than the Baldwin, 

 though not strictly annual, and the fruit hangs very well on 

 the tree. The season is from late October until March, 

 though varying somewhat with the culture and storage condi- 

 tions ; but it ripens very rapidly when subjected to heat, and 

 is very liable to scald in storage, particularly with large, over- 

 grown specimens. 



Ehode Island Greening. 



Bad points : — • 



Good points : - 



1. Well known. 



2. Productive. 



3. Good quality 



4. Fine cooker. 



1. Sometimes scalds in storage. 



2. Color. 



3. Scabs. 



4. Not as hardy as Baldwin. 



(i) Wealthy. — This variety was originated by Peter 

 Gideon of Minnesota, from seed of the Cherry Crab. The 

 tree is very hardy indeed, and a good, thrifty grower while 

 young; but as the trees get older the rate of growth becomes 

 more moderate, until when they reach middle age the growth 

 is very slow, and careful cultural treatment is often required 

 to keep up its rate of growth. The tree never reaches large 



