December 26, iS 



•] 



Garden :\nd r*"orest. 



521 



of slight differences of habit and of the form of the leaves, 

 is probably not distinct from the north China plant, so that 

 the name S. Eniodi should, if this view is adopted, disap- 

 pear in the older name of .S'. villosa. C. S. S. 



Fii^. Sj. — Svringa \ilkisa. — S'-e paj^e 520. 



Cultural Department. 

 Autumn Apples in New England. 



AMONG tlie autumn apples, the Gravenstein is now de- 

 cidedly taking the lead throug'liont the southern half of New- 

 England, as the Duchess of Oldenliurgh does in the northern 

 half. There is no comparison between the dessert quality ot 



these two apples, the German being' altogether su|.)crior to the 

 Russian. Yet it is a fact that there is scarcely any difference in 

 their market price. I liave been interested in following the 

 market quotations, and find that only for shipping to England 



does the Gravenstein lead, and 

 this mostly when grown in Maine. 

 The Maine Gravensteins are so 

 much superior in keeping quality 

 that they may be almost rated as 

 early wijiter apples. Close to the 

 Giavenstein in popularity with 

 buyers comes the Porter, but this 

 is an apple that bruises so easilv, 

 and is injured so greatly by bruis- 

 ing, that it can only be grown pro- ' 

 fitably for a near maiket. The 

 Gravenstein was brought into New 

 England from Belgiimi eailv in 

 this century, and first propagated 

 in Byfield, Massachusetts. No 

 foreign apple ever achieved a 

 more rapid or better deserved 

 popularity in America. It is one 

 of the very few fall apples of good 

 size, fine appearance and high 

 quality, that can lie handled, kept 

 and transported without injms-. 

 These merits have given it a po:-i- 

 tion alongside the Hubbardston 

 in the Boston market. Yet there 

 are many other fall apples grown 

 and highly valued tor home use. 

 High among these is the Mother, 

 which ripens in October, though 

 its season extends up to and be- 

 yond the holidays. Truly, as Cole 

 says, "TlieMothei'has no superior, 

 and very few equals." Yet it is 

 rarely on the street stands, and is 

 hai'dly known except among old 

 New England families of rtnal 

 origin oraftiliations. The Graven- 

 stein and Elublxnxlston have gain- 

 ed the lead iqjon the Mother as a 

 market fruit, notwithstanding its 

 good size, handsome appearance 

 and siu'passing quality. Perhaps 

 the chief reason for this is that 

 the Mother, as Dow ning notes, is 

 "rather too tender foi- sliipment." 

 This apple originated in Bolton, 

 Massachusetts. Nt xt to the Mottier 

 comes the Gaiden Royal (native 

 of Sudliury, Massachusetts), of 

 which Cole says truly. "Nothing 

 is suiierior," Ihougli he adds, 

 " ralhei' small for market." Yet 

 we find ii, with iMolhfi', in the 

 best fruit storts, patronized by 

 the old frunilies, and in the gar- 

 dens ot many faiiiKis, lliough 

 usu;illv but a single tree. It is 

 pioduceil in great perlection about 

 I'orlland, Maine, and thcie I Ijave 

 seen it on the stands t)flent'r than 

 in Boston. Garden Royal is aliout 

 the size, form anti color ot I'a- 

 meuse, yet they arc easily distni- 

 guished by the eye. 



The Fameuse is a standard 

 vaiiit\' in the lioston maiket, 

 wIrmx' it goes b\ llie'n;m-e of 

 ".Snow." lacing a good shi]iper, 

 it comes frfini many diri-ctions, 

 and is eveiywheri- for sak' alunit 

 Thanksgiving time. It is grovMi 

 up to tiie northern limits 0I New 

 England, where its season extends to and beyonil New- 

 Year's day-. It is a handsomt:, delicate apple, willi a delicate, 

 jieculiar ilavor, exerywhere recognized and liked. Ihougli 

 it is by no means a' rich or aromatic apple, 'riie tree is 

 hanlv and productive, but tlu- fruit is liable to s]iot in un- 

 lavoralile seasons and localities, sometimes lo the exii'iit ol 

 making the whole crop unmerchantable. This apple i.s pop- 

 ular, and as commonlv grown in Connecticut and Rhode 



