50 The Taliaferro or Robertson Apple. 



a large old fr Id near Williamsburg, where the seed had 

 probably been dropt by some bird. Major Taliaferro of 

 that neighbourhood remarking it once to be verv lull of 

 apples, got permission of the owner of the ground to ga- 

 ther them. From this he made a cask of cyder which, 

 in the estimation of every one who tasted it, was the finest 

 they had ever seen. He grafted an orchard from it, as 

 did also his son-in-law our late chancellor Wythe. The 

 cider constantly made from this, was preferred by every 

 person to the crab or any cyder ever known in this state, 

 and it still retains its character in the different places to 

 which it has been transferred. 1 am familiar with it, and 

 have no hesitation in pronouncing it mueh superior to 

 the Hugh's crab. It has more body. i:> less ac>.d, and 

 comes nearer to the silky Ch mpai^n than any other. 

 Major Taliaferro called it the Robertson apple from the 

 name of the person owning the parent trer, but subse- 

 quently it has more justly and generally been distingt.i h- 

 ed by the name of the Taliaferro apple, after !;im to 

 whom we are indebted for the discovery of i's valuable 

 properties. It is the most juicy appl^ I have ever known, 

 and is very refreshing as an eating apple. Accept the 

 assurance of my great esteem and respect. 



Thomas Jefferson. 

 Dr. James Mease. 



Th e Gloucester White, Taliaferro, or Jhhertson Apple. 



A White thin skin, with many small red spois on the 

 stem end ; very juicy, of a keen aromatic uste. The 



