348 Rtlssian Apples. 



RUSSIAN APPLES. 



By Robert Manning, Salem, Mass. 



The varieties of apples of Russian origin have succeeded so well in the 

 colder parts of our country where other kinds prove too tender, that I have 

 thought it might be well to group together all the kinds known to have 

 come from that source, including not only those which have been tested, 

 but those which may be worthy of trial. 



The Alexander is well known for its size and beauty. Skin whitish or 

 greenish yellow, striped with brilliant red, the darkest streaks taking a pur- 

 pl>ish tinge. The tree is vigorous and of spreading form, and reasonably 

 productive. I have found the fruit apt to drop prematurely, and sometimes 

 to rot on the tree. The flesh is sub-acid without any fine flavor. To my 

 taste, it is only valuable for cooking ; but, from its size and beauty, it com- 

 mands a high price in the market. In use from August to October. 



Duchess of Oldenburgh. — This succeeds perfectly, and proves quite 

 hardy from Bangor, Me., to the extreme North-west. Mr. Berckmans also 

 reports very favorably of it at Augusta, Ga. Though only of tolerable 

 quality for a dessert-apple, its hardiness and beauty render it one of the 

 most valuable of all. It is of a pale yellow color, beautifully striped with 

 red, and covered with bloom. The tree is vigorous, and forms a round, open 

 head, and produces abundantly. Ripe in September. 



The Borovitsky I have had, but never fruited. Mr. Downing remarks, 

 that there may be a distinct variety of this name ; but with him it had 

 always proved identical with Duchess of Oldenburgh. It appears to me 

 that there must be a distinct kind, as they have uniformly been described 

 as different in the London catalogues. 



Red Astrachan. — Probably there is not a native apple so universally 

 < n.tivated tl .cughout th ; Jnited Stav.-s, north and south, east and west, as 

 this foreigner. It seems to succeed everywhere. I saw it last winter grow- 

 ing as far south as Jacksonville, Fla., in Col. Hardee's grounds. He had 

 grafted it on a thorn stock, on which it appeared to thrive vigorously. It 

 seems to be also cultivated in Sweden, as it was imported from thence into 

 England. I have seen complaints from Michigan that the tree did not 



