APPLE VARIETIES 253 



York Imperial 



Charles Downing, one of our pioneer horti- 

 culturists, is given credit for naming the York 

 Imperial. For many years the variety had 

 been known as Johnson's Fine Winter — which 

 was certainly an unalluring name for an apple. 

 When Downing was shown the fruit he com- 

 mented on it by saying that it was the "impe- 

 rial of keepers." As it was grown near York, 

 Pennsylvania, it took the name of York Impe- 

 rial from the above incident. 



In certain sections it has become an impor- 

 tant commercial sort, but it has many objec- 

 tionable qualities. In the first place the trees 

 are subject to blight and are frequently killed 

 by this disease. I have seen orchards where 

 this was the only variety attacked, although 

 sorts like Yellow Transparent were growing 

 near by. The fruit does not always ripen 

 uniformly and a certain per cent, of the crop 

 is liable to be undersized. The shape of the 

 apple is also against it, as it is decidedly " lop- 

 sided,' ' so much so that it is often difficult to 

 pack. In quality the apple is only fair, but 

 the fact that it produces large crops has made 

 it a favorite with some growers. 



