of Select Varieties of Apples. 65 



The Gilliflower, like many other excellent varieties is only 

 cultivated extensively in Western New York, where it prob- 

 ably originated, and is but occasionally found in the orchards 

 of New England. The Eastern markets are annually sup- 

 plied with it from New York, and its large size, good appear- 

 ance, and very tender flesh, render it a favorite with many 

 who dislike the firmer texture of the Esopus Spitzenberg and 

 Newtown pippin. 



Mr. Manning first gave a brief description of it, in one of 

 our early volumes, (VII. p. 49,) in his account of upwards of 

 one hundred varieties of apples which had fruited in the Po- 

 mological Garden, and he characterized it as a '■' winter fruit, 

 much prized in some parts of the country." Subsequent 

 writers have noticed it, but they appear to have copied Mr. 

 Manning's remarks, without adding anything new, either as 

 regards its origin or merits. 



Size, large, about three inches broad, and three and a 

 quarter long : Form, conical, little flattened at the base, oc- 

 casionally ribbed, and tapering much to the crown, which is 

 quite small : Skin, fair, smooth, with a dull red ground, very 

 finely striped on the sunny side with dark purplish red, 

 sometimes little russeted around the stem, and covered with 

 small yellowish specks : Stem, short, about half an inch in 

 length, rather stout, curved, and inserted in a somewhat an- 

 gular, moderately deep and contracted cavity : Eye, small, 

 closed, and slightly depressed in a shallow furrowed basin ; 

 segments of the calyx short : Flesh, white, rather coarse, and 

 very tender : Juice, tolerably plentiful, pleasant, subacid, 

 with an agreeable, spicy aroma : Core, large, rather open : 

 Seeds, medium size, plump. Ripe from November to Feb- 

 ruary. 



In some localities in New York, this is sometimes called 

 the Black Gilliflower, from its dark red skin ; and the Cat- 

 alogues of several nurserymen enumerate it under the same 

 name. 



VOL. XVI. NO. II. 9 



