STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 129 



varieties of the apple, and by which theii- desirableness, whether 

 in regard to hardihood, or thrift, or quality, or production, is con- 

 fined within moderate limits, sometimes to very narrow ones, seems 

 to attach in a very slight degree, if at all, to the Gravenstein. 

 Like the Green Gage among plums, it seems to be at home, and to 

 give general satisfaction whe-rever it is cultivated. It is a native 

 of Germany, and is considered the best of northern Europe, and I 

 know of no section of this country where it does not take a high 

 rank, and by many is esteemed the very best autumn apple. Fruit 

 large, rather flattened and a little angular. Skin yellow, streaked 

 and dashed with bright red and orange. Flesh tender, crisp, very 

 juicy and high flavored. September and October. The tree is of 

 thrifty and vigorous growth, and productive. In regard to hardi- 

 ness, Mr. A. Cushman, of Golden Ridge, Aroostook county, showed 

 it to me in his orchard as healthy and sound as any. He esteemed 

 this and the Duchess of Oldenburg as the two best for autumn. 

 The only drawback to its value which I am aware of is, that in 

 some situations (perhaps owing to stagnant moisture in the soil or 

 subsoil) it is liable to a malignant, Cankery disease which aifects 

 the wood, and soon destroys the tree." 



The flavor is quite tart, but highly aromatic. If allowed to get 

 fully ripe the acid is toned down to a lively flavor, acceptable to 

 the taste of those who are fond of tart fruit. As a cooking apple, 

 it is not surpassed by any other known variety ; cooks well when 

 green and small, but its highest perfection is not reached until 

 fully ripe. Though juicy, it is full of a native richness, which is 

 not dependent on the sugar used. Mr. Goodale gives the season 

 as September and October, but in the central part of the State it 

 does not ripen till October, and further north will keep till winter. 

 Saleable in market. 



Starkey. This is a new candidate for public favor. The origi- 

 nal tree came from seed sown in nursery on the farm now owned 

 by J. W. Starkey of Vassalboro', Kennebec county. It was 

 broken down in a gale in 1872, being at that time sixteen inches 

 in diameter. Tree is hardy, a vigorous grower in the nursery, 

 moderate after coming into bearing ; bountiful bearer, (better in 

 its native locality than either the Baldwin or Rhode Island Green- 

 ing) bears every year, but most in even years. Fruit medium 

 and above, oblate, conical, regular, smooth and fair; color yellow 

 ground, striped and splashed with bright red and covered with 

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