LEAF CHARACTERS OF APPLE VARIETIES. 25 



A third iyipe of bending or folding of the leaf blade is seen in the bending 

 backward or reflexion of the midrib. Pronounced reflexion of the midrib 

 is not common in flat leaves, but is the usual thing in strongly folded leaves 

 if the folding is of the narrow tjiae. Thus Bald\\in (Fig. 8) and Roxbury 

 Russet (Fig. 9) are not reflexed, while Grimes (Fig. 20) and Wagener (Fig. 

 15) are strongly reflexed. 



Sen-atures. — Probably the most dependable leaf character for identify- 

 ing varieties is the nature of the serratures along the edge of the leaf. They 

 are sharp in Rhode Island Greening (Fig. 4) and dull in Wolf River (Fig. 

 12) and Wealthy (Fig. 7). Other varieties are intermediate between these 

 extremes, but eveiy variety is peculiar to itself and different from other 

 varieties. In Rhode Island Greening (Fig. 4) the serratures are distinct 

 or well separated, wliile in Gravenstein (Fig. 2) and Baldwin (Fig. 8) they 

 are set close together or indistinct. They vary in depth also, and in some 

 varieties they are straight, as in Rhode Island Greening, while in Baldwin 

 they are more or less curved or sickle-shaped. The last peculiarity, to- 

 gether with the saucer-shaped folding referred to above, serves to dis- 

 tinguish Bald'ndn from all other varieties known to the WTiter. If one 

 leaf is laid upon another so that the serratures of both can be seen and 

 carefully compared, the observer with some experience can very often teU 

 quite positively whether the leaves represent one variety or two varieties. 



Texture. — The veins of the leaves divide and subdivide until they form 

 a network aU over the surface of the leaves. This network is coarser in 

 some varieties than in others. There are other peculiarities in the veining 

 hard to describe in words, but evident and distinct in the leaves. These 

 peculiarities taken together are spoken of as texture. The texture of Rhode 

 Island Greening (Fig. 4) is very different from that of Mcintosh (Fig. 3). 

 Comparisons of other varieties will show differences in texture difficult to 

 picture in words, but of much value in recognizing varieties. 



Pubescence. — All varieties have more or less growth of short hairs over 

 the under surface. Those ha\dng an abundant growth of these hairs are 

 said to be pubescent or "woolly." This is not showTi verj^ clearly in the 

 figures, but may be seen by observing the leaves themselves. Ben Davis 

 and Jonathan are examples of "woolly" leaves, while Rhode Island Green- 

 ing shows very little of this growiih. This hairy growth is sparse on Bald- 

 win and more abundant on Hubbardston and Mcintosh. 



In some varieties the surface of the leaves is smooth and shining, wiiile 

 at the other extreme are some varieties that appear rough or dull. This 

 is correlated with hairiness or wooUiness of the surface, the smooth and 

 shining leaves having few hairs, while the rough or dull ones have many. 



Thickness. — Varieties differ also in the thickness of the leaves. Mc- 

 intosh and Wealthy have relatively thick, stiff, rigid leaves, while those of 

 Rhode Island Greening, Grimes and Fall Pippin seem thinner and less 

 rigid to the touch. 



Color. — All apple leaves are, of course, a deep rich green in color. The 

 shade of green depends a good deal on the vigor of the trees, being deeper 

 in vigorous trees, and a paler, more yellowish green in trees making little 



