84 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



been photographed. (See cut.) Accompanying the fruit was 

 the following letter: 



West Newton, October 13, 1896. 

 Z, A. Gilbert, Esq. 



Dear Sir: — I sent you yesterday by express one dozen Hunt 

 Russet apples. I got them from William K. Hunt of Concord, 

 Mass., who owns the farm where this apple originated. I asked 

 him to select the fruit from the original tree if he could, but 

 they were all picked and the fruit from several trees mixed. 



There is another russet grown from seed by John Fletcher of 

 Acton, Mass., and he has named it Fletcher Russet. It was 

 first shown at the Bay State Fair in Boston, some four or five 

 years ago and attracted much attention and has been quite 

 largely grafted by our apple growers in this .State and we have 

 put on our premium list. William H. Teele showed some very 

 good specimens at our last exhibition and I have no doubt 

 would furnish you specimens if you wish; he lives at West Acton, 

 Mass. 



Yours truly, 



E. W. Wood. 



The tree is hardy, upright grower, spreading when in bearing, 

 and an annual and good bearer. Fruit -medium or below, 

 roundish oblate, slightly conic, as you can see by the specimens. 

 Color yellow, mostly covered with thin dull russet, with a 

 blush of bright rich red in the sun, few brown dots. Stalk 

 varying in length, as you see by the cuts. Cavity large, deep, 

 acute. Basin medium, slightly corrugated. Flesh yellowish 

 white, fine-grained, tender, juicy, rich, brisk subacid, slightly 

 aromatic. Quality very good, or best, January to April. 



There are two marked features which will aid in identifying 

 this variety; not common to the russet family of apples. The 

 bright red cheek, and the high quality as characterized by the 

 tender and juicy pulp and rich sprightly flavor. 



Since receiving the genuine samples of the Hunt Russet from 

 Mr. Wood there has been no opportunity for a comparison with 

 samples of unnamed russets grown in this State. It is alto- 

 gether probable that this variety has become more or less dis- 

 seminated among out fruit growers and that we shall find that 

 at least some of the russets that have appeared from time to time 

 at our annual exhibitions, and over which we have been puzzled, 

 will prove this popular and valuable variety. 



