424 YEAKBOOK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



been in existence for 100 years, or perhaps longer. What appears 

 to be an authentic account of its origin, published in 1869, 1 states 

 that " The Cornell's Fancy Apple originated some sixty or seventy 

 years ago on the farm of Gilliam Cornell, near the Street road, in 

 Southampton Township, Bucks County, Pa." 



From the dates mentioned it is evident that this variety origi- 

 nated in the last part of the eighteenth or the first part of the 

 nineteenth century. 



The original tree appears to have been a fence-row seedling. In 

 its early years it attracted considerable local attention, and many 

 scions of it were distributed in adjoining portions of Philadelphia 

 and Montgomery Counties, Pa. The first published description of 

 it appears to have been that of Downing in 1857. 2 



DESCRIPTION. 



Form oblong conic; size medium to large; cavity regular, some- 

 times slightly irregular, usually large, rather deep, slope gradual, 

 with russet markings; stem medium to long, moderately stout; basin 

 usually regular, of medium size and depth, with gradual slope 

 usually, sometimes furrowed or corrugated ; calyx segments medium, 

 converging; eye small to medium, closed; surface smooth, sometimes 

 more or less ribbed; color creamy or yellowish white, washed with 

 mixed red, striped with bright crimson, and slightly overspread with 

 gray ; dots usually rather large and conspicuous, occasional^ minute, 

 often aureole, grayish, sometimes brownish ; skin rather thin, usually 

 tender; flesh yellowish white, fine grained, very tender, moderately 

 juicy; core conical, clasping, medium in size, slightly open; flavor 

 mild subacid, pleasant; quality good to very good. Season August 

 in middle latitudes. 



The tree has been reported to lack vigor in some sections, but 

 apparently in regions to which the variety is well adapted it makes 

 a good growth and is usually productive. The fruit should not 

 be left on the tree too long, as it has a tendency to crack and be- 

 come mealy when fully ripe. Though it has become quite widely 

 disseminated, it is grown only in very limited quantities and is 

 largely unknown in the markets. In the further extension of early- 

 apple culture it is believed that it can be made an important sort 

 in middle latitudes. 



The specimen illustrated in Plate XLIX was grown by Thomas 

 O. Duvall, Burtonsville, Montgomery County, Md. 



ir The Gardener's Monthly, vol. 11, 1869, p. 376. 



2 Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees of America, revised edition, 1857, p. 131. 



