126 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



THE EUSSETS. 



Great confusion exists among fruit growers regarding the 

 nomenclature of the russets. This confusion perhaps is no greater 

 than it has been in the past, and the Secretary is convinced after 

 considerable correspondence and investigation, that there is quite 

 as much confusion in other states as there is in Maine. Of one 

 point there can be little doubt, and that is regarding the American 

 Golden Russet, for which in recent years the Society has offered 

 premiums until the present 3 ear. The executive officers became 

 convinced that very few of this variety were grown in the State 

 and that several other russets were exhibited year after year under 

 that name. Accordingly the premiums were withdrawn on Ameri- 

 can Golden Russets and in place of this, on account of the excel- 

 lence of the Golden Russet a premium is offered on that variety 

 and it is hoped in future judges may be able to go thus far with 

 certainty. In answer to a recent letter Mr. "Wm. A. Taylor, Assis- 

 tant Pomologist of the United States Department of Agriculture 

 writes : 



"I regret that we can not furnish you cuts or accurate descrip- 

 tions of the "russets." The subject has not been investigated 

 here, and I am satisfied that the confusion is so great that a gen- 

 eral examination and comparison of the fruit and trees of the dif- 

 ferent varieties will be necessary to settle several disputed points. 

 The following varieties are well known and are quite generally 

 conceded to be distinct and entitled to bear the names here used 

 for them : Bullock — (-''Bullock's Pippin" of Coxe) {''American 

 Golden Russet" of Downing. Golden Russet (of Western New 

 York) — Barry. Golden Russet of Downing (Russet Golden of the 

 earlier editions of Barry) (English Golden of Warder.) Roxbury 

 (Roxbury Russet of Downing.) Pomme Grise of Downing. 

 Concerning most of the other russets there is much uncertainty 

 either in regard to the correctness of names or their distinctness as 

 varieties." 



The object of this article is not to fettle disputed points regard- 

 ing the russets but to give as much information as possible to aid 

 in the identification of varieties. Several times the same subject 

 has been under consideration and ably discussed at meetings of 

 the Society. Mr. R. H. Gardiner had an excellent paper upon the 



