56 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doe. 



(12) Red Astrachan. — This is another of the Russian 

 apples which has achieved success in the United States, and 

 which I should include as a commercial apple for Massachu- 

 setts. It is very early in season, following the Yellow Trans- 

 pai-ent, and heing fit for cooking in July. It is consequently 

 a profitable variety for local markets and for home use, while 

 its attractive color combined with its earliness make it popu- 

 lar. It is, however, very tender in flesh, and will not stand 

 shipping well. It is principally valuable as a cooking apple, 

 though well-grown, fully developed specimens are very good 

 eating. The tree is medium in size, coming into bearing very 

 early, and is reasonably productive, though inclined to bear 

 biennially. Its tendency to be irregular in both size and 

 shape is rather a serious drawback to a commercial variety, 

 making quite a loss from unmarketable fruit. The fruit 

 dro^js considerably, unless several pickings are made. 



Good points; 



1. Fine color. 



2. Very early. 



3. Productive. 



4. Hardy tree. 



Bed Astrachan. 



Bad points : — 



1. Irregular in size and shape. 



2. Very tender in fruit. 



(13) Fall Pippin. — The origin of this variety is some- 

 what in doubt, but it is good enough so that its origin does not 

 much matter. It ought to have originated in Massachusetts. 

 The tree is large and rather vigorous, making a roundish, 

 rather dense top. Both leaves and fruit are seriously subject 

 to the apple scab fungus, which is a decided drawback where 

 this disease is troublesome. The fruit ripens very unevenly, 

 which is another objection, as it means repeated pickings, 

 which add somewhat to the expense. The fruit is large, of a 

 fine, clear yellow, and decidedly handsome, having a clean, 

 attractive appearance which makes it sell well. The flesh is 

 fine-grained, tender and juicy, rather aromatic, and ranks as 

 good to best in quality. It is a fine dessert apple, but is espe- 

 cially strong as a culinary variety. In storage it is a variable 

 keeper, but in any case has a long season, owing to its uneven 



