STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETr. 121 



to his son, who lived on an adjoining farm. Changes in the family brought the son's 

 farm into the Elder's possession, where he resided until his death. When this 

 twelfth tree came into bearing the superiority of its product over any variety at that 

 time was very marked, and Grandmother Macomber found that to secure the fruit 

 from the uncontrollable appetites of the young masculines of the neighborhood re- 

 quired eternal vigilance. The tree is hardy and finely developed, having a round 

 spreading top; is a good bearer, producing heavily on alternate years. The fruit is 

 large and smooth, round in shape (corresponding to the shape of the tree), is beauti- 

 fully colored, being mostly a lively red, fine grained, sub-acid, skin glossy and firm 

 but thin, core very small, season fall and early winter, excellent for eating, cooking 

 and selling. There is an eager demand for it in the local markets at a figure con- 

 siderably in advance of other varieties. It sold readily the present season (1888-9) 

 for 95c. to $1 a bushel. The original tree is dead, being one of the pioneer trees of 

 the town of Guilford, but — thanks to the hogs — a broken root sent up a sprout that 

 has developed in tree and fruit the fac-simile of the parent, proving beyond question 

 that the old tree was a seedling. This child of the mother-tree still continues to bud 

 and blossom and bear fruit on its native soil. The eleven trees, with one exception, 

 ■bear quite large, fair, pleasant flavored a'>ples. Mr. G. D. B. Herring of Guilford 

 was the one to propagate the Rolfe by grafting, and has also furnished scions to 

 parties in Maine and several other states. Mr. H L. Leland of East Sangervillo has 

 introduced the Rolfe quite largely into his orchard and has been instrumental in 

 bringing it into favorable notice in different sections of the State. At the Farmers' 

 Institute held at East Sangerville, November, 1888, Secretary Gilbert pronounced 

 ^he Rolfe an acquisition to the State. A basket of specimens presented at the State 

 Grange at Bangor, December, 1883, met with a very tanty reception, and the verdict 

 rendered|jWas "good enough." 



An excellent illustration of the Rolfe appears in this volume of the transactions. 

 Yellow Transparent — A Russian variety, imported by the Department of Agri- 

 culture, Washington, D. C. It promises to be valuable as an early fruit of good 

 quality, ripening before Tetofsky, with more tender and delicate flesh, but does not 

 continue long in use. The tree is said to be hardy, moderately vigorous, upright, an 

 early and good annual bearer. Fruit medium, roundish oblate, slightly conical, 

 slightly angular; skin clear white at first, becoming pale yellow when fully mature, 

 moderately sprinkled with light and greenish dots, somewhat obscure; stalk short to 

 medium, rather slender; cavity rather large, sometimes a little greenish; calyx 

 closed; basin medium, slightly corrugated, sometimes small protuberances; flesh 

 white, half fine, tender, juicy, slightly subacid; quality good to very good; core 

 medium. Season early in August, and a week or two before Tetofsky. 



McIntosh Red — Originated in Ontario over seventy years ago The tree is hardy, 

 long-lived, vigorous, with a spreading head; a good annual bearer of fair, handsome 

 fruit of excellent quality, valuable for home use and market. Fruit medium or 

 above, roundish, oblate, regular; skin whiteish yellow, very nearly covered with dark 

 rich red or crimson, almost purplish in the sun, moderately sprinkled with light dots; 

 stalk short, rather small; cavity medium; calyx closed; basin rather small, slightly 

 plaited; flesh white, fine, very tender, juicy, mild, subacid, refreshing, peculiar slight 

 quince-like flavoring, core medium. October to February. 



||^ Wealthy — A variety raised from Maine seeds by Peter M. Gideon of Minnesota, 

 Tree hardy, healthy, vigorous, spreading, very productive; a beautiful and excellent 

 fruit. Fruit medium, oblate or roundish oblate; skin smooth, whitish yellow, 



