656 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Dec. 



THE BED ASTKACHAISr APPLE. 



This fruit which ripens from July 25 to the 

 middle of August is described very correctly 

 by Mr. Downing as of extraordinary beauty. 

 It was first imported into England with the 

 White Astraehan, from Sweden, in 1816. It 

 bears abundantly with us, and its singular rich- 

 ness of color is heightened by an ex([uisite 

 bloom on the surface of the fruit, like that of 

 a plum. It is one of the handsomest dessert 

 fruits, and its quality is good, but if not 

 taken from the tree as soon as ripe, it is 

 liable to become mealy. Ripens from the 

 last of July to (he middle of August. Fruit 

 pretty large, rather above the middle size, 

 and very smooth and fair, roundish, a lit- 

 tle narrowed towards the eye. Skin almost 

 entirely covered with deep crimson, with some- 

 times a little greenish yellow in the shade, and 

 occasionally a little russet near the stalk, and 

 covered with a pale white bloom. Stalk rath- 

 er short and deeply inserted. Calyx set in a 



slight basin, which is sometimes a little irreg- 

 ular. Flesh quite white, crisp, moderately 

 juicy, with an agreeable, rich, acid flavor. 



American Pomological Society. — We 

 have received the following circular, and com- 

 mend it to the attention of all fruit growers : — 



Cleveland, Ohio, Oct., 1867. 

 Dear Sir : — You are specially invited to aid tlie mak- 

 ing up (if the above tiamed C^ociety'!* biennial report, by 

 coutiibutini^ immediately any information you have 

 relative to new seedlings and the values of different 

 fruits, diseases, soils, etc:., in your section of country. 

 You are also invited to forward samples of any new 

 Seedling or unnamed fruits by Express, to the address 

 of the 8ecr(tary, tliat lie may make comparisons, draw- 

 ings and d'seriptions. Any fruit, thus forwarded, the 

 names of which are unknown to him, will be again trnne- 

 mitled to I'omolotiists for the (iesired information. The 

 American, United iStates, and Merchants' Union Express 

 Companies have generou^ly oftVred to transport all sam- 

 ple packages of fruit for this purpose FREE. Due ci'edit 

 will be given to couttibutors. Very respectfully, 



F. R. Elliott, Secretary. 



N.B — The feeof Moml)ership to the American Pomo- 

 logical Society is $'J 00 IJiennially, or $li).tl() for Life. 

 Remittances may be forwarded either to the Secretary, 

 or to Thomas P. Jumcs, Treasurer, x'hiludelpliia, Pa. 



