THE TUFTS APPLE. 



Tufts. Magazine of Horticulture, vol. xvi. p. 496. 



Tufts' Baldwin, of some. 



Our list of late autumn apples, though very extensive, 

 contains only a limited number of superior quality. After 

 the Gravenstein and Porter are gone, there is only a 

 moderate supply of fine sorts, till the Hubbai'dston Non- 

 such, Greening, &c., come in. At that period, therefore, 

 it is especially to be desned that accessions may be made 

 to the number we already possess of the excellence, size 

 and beauty of the varieties above mentioned. To supply 

 such a desideratum, should be the eflfort of all who are 

 looking up our native seedhngs, or who may attempt the 

 growth of new sorts by seeds. 

 The Tufts originated in 1830 or '31, in Cambridge, Mass., in the 

 garden of the late Peter Tufts. It was first discovered among a lot of 

 seedling stocks, and from the size and beauty of the leaf, and vigor of 

 the tree, it attracted the attention of the son of the owner, Mr. C. Tufts, 

 who removed it in the autumn to a favorable situation, where it might 

 develop its growth. It advanced rather slowly, and did not come into 

 bearing for upwards of sixteen years ; it then only bore two or three 

 apples ; the next year it produced more ; the third year a larger number, 

 and continued to increase the crop until the sixth or eighth year, when 

 the tree was loaded with such specimens as our beautiful figure repre- 

 sents. In 1860, Mr. E. Tufts first exhibited quite a quantity of the 

 apples at the annual show of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, 

 which not only attracted universal attention, but obtained the prize as 

 the best specimen offered for exhibition. Subsequently, it was tested 

 by the Fruit Committee, who pronoimced it a superior variety. 



The general appearance of the Tufts is similar to the Baldwin ; but 

 the form is rounder and more flattened, and the skin is of a deeper and 

 richer hue. It also possesses the same flavor, and delicious admixture 

 of sweet and acid, which have made the Baldwin so popular a fruit. The 

 tree is not so rapid a grower as the Baldwin, nor quite so erect and 

 regular in its habit ; it, however, forms a large and well-shaped head., 

 It is a constant and abundant bearer. 



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