134 MAINE) AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. I907. 



Starkey.— Originated in the town of Vassalboro, on the ■ farm of 

 Moses Starkey, before 1800. Apparently a Seedling of Ribstone. 



Tree is hardy, vigorous, spreading; a regular and abundant bearer. 



Fruit medium, oblate, slightly conic, regular ; skin pale yellow, shaded, 

 striped and splashed with light and dark red, with numerous greyish 

 dots ; the %-inch stalk is small, inserted in a medium cavity, which is 

 sometimes slightly russeted; flesh whitish, tender, juicy, mild sub-acid. 

 Very good. October to January. 



Where known the variety is highly esteemed, both for home and for 

 market, because of its beautiful color and excellent quality. 



Mr. E. H. Cook of Vassalboro, who raises large quantities of these 

 apples, shipped two car-loads to Liverpool the past season. The net 

 returns were $2.40 per barrel, which was more than was received from 

 anything else on the market except Kings. 



Concerning the origin and merits of this variety, Mr. Cook writes as 

 follows : "The original tree is not now living, but there is a tree near 

 at hand that never was grafted, since its sprouts bear Starkey apples. 

 The apple originated not less than 125 years ago. There are Starkey 

 trees on my farm which are known to have been set 97 years ago and 

 they are grafted to Starkey in the trunk. * * * Nothing is known 

 of its origin, but I have no doubt it is a seedling of the Ribstone Pip- 

 pin. * * * The Starkey is a remarkably good bearer, and will bear 

 every year if well fertilized, but the trees will not stand neglect as well 

 as Baldwins. From 50 Starkey trees, in the last two years, I have 

 received 300 barrels of apples averaging 3 barrels per tree per year, and 

 the average price was $2.00 per barrel." 



The variety is entirely distinct from Stark, with which it is often con- 

 fused, and is deserving of more attention on the part of Maine fruit 

 growers. 



Stevens Gieeieeower. — Origin, orchard of Mrs. Olive Stevens, 

 Sweden, Oxford county, Maine. 



Fruit medium, roundish conical, somewhat irregular, whitish, striped 

 with red, the stripes radiating from the stem, covered with a fine bloom; 

 cavity and basin shallow; flesh white, tender, fine grained, juicy, pleas- 

 ant sub-acid. November to February. 



This variety is a seedling of the Red Gilliflower, the seed having been 

 brought from Massachusetts by Mrs. Olive Stevens about 1785 or 6 and 

 planted by her in the town of Sweden, Oxford county, Me. (See Trans- 

 actions of Maine Pomological Society, in Agriculture of Maine, 1853, 

 page 403). 



The variety seems to have disappeared, and has never been seen by 

 the writer. 



StowE, (Stowe's Winter). — Originated in Perham, Aroostook county, 

 Me., about 1875. 

 Tree vigorous, spreading, very hardy; an annual bearer. 



