97 



Oeorgia to the Canadian testing station south of Hudson's 

 Bay. Tree is an upright grower when young, capable of 

 close planting, and an admirable tiller. The tree trunks and 

 limbs have a peculiarly strong yellow color. It makes a 

 strong spur and bud system, and sometimes fruit buds form 

 terminally on strong annual growths, thus checking its early 

 tendency to wood growth. The fruit is of a waxy yellow 

 -appearance, hence the name, and sometimes carries a beau- 

 tiful blush on the exposed cheek. It is a fine culinary fruit, 

 and also would class it as a near dessert variety. It has a 

 good clear acid flavor, with conscientious thinning, this vari- 

 ety will be nearly an annual bearer. Succeeds well on an 

 early sandy soil. Clings well, would always include this va- 

 riety in the home orchard, and under certain circumstances 

 would advise its commercial planting. I think Mr. Frost 

 would endorse this view. The fruit ripens unevenly, and 

 would require successive harvesting. The fruit is tender 

 and shows bruises, even tinger marks, and should be literal- 

 ly "Handled with Gloves." As before indicated we made 

 the first picking of this variety July 17, 1911. 



RED ASTRACHAN 



This is another apple of Russian origin, hence we may 

 expect extreme hardiness and a wide range of cultivation, 

 and in this respect we are not to be disappointed. 



The tree is a strong grower; inclined to be too thick 

 headed and requires considerable pruning to open up the 

 tree properly. This variety is a biennial or alternating year 

 bearer to an exasperating degree. All are familiar with its 

 fine red striped appearance over a yellow ground, and the 

 heavy bluish bloom is a most attractive feature. This apple 

 ripens unevenly, goes by rather rapidly, and sometimes 

 drops rather badly. 



On older trees it will pay well for thinning. In spite of 

 these few short comings it has commercial specifications, 

 and should of course be included in the home orchard. 



It is a cooking apple, and also perhaps a dessert apple, 

 although strongly acid. This variety bears heavily on term- 

 inal growths, and on long spurs. 



The first picking of Red Astrachan in 1911 was July 

 27th. ^ 



If the women of the household have not tested this va- 

 riety for its jelly making possibilities both as regards color 

 and flavor a pleasant surprise is in store for them. 



