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TIIE Ilg.Y ENGLAIID SEVEH 



Horticultural authorities in New England got together in 1928 and prepared a 

 list of apple varieties best adapted to commercial planting at that time. The seven 

 varieties on this list were Ealdv/in, Delicious, Gravenstein, Mcintosh, Northern Spy, 

 R. I. Greening and Vfealthy, It was not the intent to advocate the planting of all 

 of these varieties in every Kew England orchard, but to provide a list from vjhich 

 three or more well adapted varieties might be selected, Vi/hen the list was published 

 the prediction v;as made that the next decade would find one or more of these 

 variotie's waning in popularity. It v;as also felt that some of thorn would gradually 

 be supplanted by newer sorts. It is not surprising, therefore, that our attitude 

 has changed as regards variety recommendations during the intervening years, A list 

 prepared today \vould differ considerably from that of 20 years ago. 



Speaking for Massachusetts alone, and vdthout any attempt to convey the 

 attitude in the other Hew England states, our present day appraisal of the above 

 mentioned varieties might be suiiimarized as follo;vs: Baldv;in Still considered a 

 good apple although not being plojited at all extensively, Llaiiy trees damaged or 

 killed by the cold viinter of 1933-4, Production not raUoh more than half that of 

 1928, but will continue to occupy a place of some importance on our markets for many 

 years, Delicious 'iiTould undoubtedly be included in a similar list today although 

 few growers produce this variety at its best. Size, color and yield frequently 

 leave much to be desired, V/hero conditions arc favorable and a high percentage of 

 Fancy fruit is groivn, this variety has proven profitable. One of its claims to a 

 place on the list is its influence as a pollcnizer. G raven stein In spite of its 

 excellence for pie or sauce and as an eating apple, tlils variety seems to be on the 

 way out. Cold winters have taken a toll and few trees are being planted. The red 

 sports are providing a partial substitute for this good old variety, Mcintosh (Dur 

 Number 1 commercial variety which makes up at least 60% of the total crop, compared 

 with 25^0 in 1925 and A0% in 1940, It is fully as popular as in 1928 and promises 

 to top the list for years to come, A further increaso in the percentage of Mcintosh, 

 hmiQ^er , should not be encouraged. Northern Spy This good old variety :)ccupics a 

 very minor place in our commercial plantings. It is popular v/ith consumers although 

 groijvors find it relatively unprofitable because -^f its biennial tendency, slovmess 

 in coming into bearing, smaller percentage of Fancy fruit and a very tender skin, 

 R^ I, Greening Of interest in only a few markets. Very few trees being planted, 

 A good cooking apple, but might not find a place on a present day list* Yteglthy 

 popularity v.'aning. Still a considerable number of trees in commercial orchards 

 although not being planted by most growers. Variety cannot compete v;ith Mcintosh, 

 Was widely planted as a filler tree. Production will decline as these are removed. 



If a list of seven commercial varieties were prepared today, it would certainly 

 include Cortland and probably Early Mcintosh, Gallia Beauty deserves attention as 

 a partial substitute for Baldwin", Red spvorts of Delicious, Gra^'■enstein, Baldwin 

 and others should be considered v/horcver these varieties are being planted. And 

 since the New England Seven included three varieties (R, I, Greening, Gravonstein 

 and Baldwin) which are ineffective as pollenizers. Golden Delicious, certain 

 Mcintosh relatives such as Ilacoun and Hilton luid other good pollenizers assume a 

 role of some importaiace, particularly in the production of Mcintosh, a self-unfruitr 

 ful variety. 



