Varieties of Apples 413 



the Piedmont district of Virginia, and it is being recom- 

 mended by experiment stations for planting in North 

 Carolina and Virginia, 



The tree is vigorous, with long slender branches, and is 

 very regular in shape. It is hardy and grows to great size. 

 The fruit in regions where this variety is adapted attains 

 a large size, keeps well and commands a high price, going 

 on the market very late in the spring. The color of the 

 fruit is red, deepening on the exposed side to a purplish red 

 or black. It is one of the most beautiful of all apples and, 

 although the trees require considerable time to come into 

 bearing, they bear fairly heavy crops when fully matured. 



Willow Twig. 



The Willow Twig draws its commercial importance from 

 old plantings in a few limited areas. Before the advent 

 of cold storage, it was known as a desirable variety for com- 

 mercial use on account of its very long keeping qualities. 

 Otherwise, it never has gained commercial favor. Its 

 origin is uncertain, but it is thought to have been in cul- 

 tivation for over a century. Extensive plantings are in 

 Calhoun County, Illinois, also in the northern Panhandle 

 region of West Virginia, particularly in Hancock County. 

 The fruit is in season from January to May, but like many 

 other long keeping varieties it is not of very good quality. 

 The tree is a strong grower, and bears early and regularly. 

 The fruit is not attractive although it is uniform in size 

 and shape. The prevailing color is red with contrasting 

 green showing through the stripes. The Willow Twig is 

 not generally recommended for commercial planting, but 

 limited plantings have proved profitable, largely on account 

 of the late keeping qualities. 



