DISCUSSION OF VARIETIES. 37 



The tree is a strong grower, as a rule, seldom showing defects of any kind. (PI. IV, 

 fig. 1.) With good culture, nearly annual crops are produced. The fruit is above 

 medium size; pale yellow with blush, sometimes becoming a brilliant red on exposed 

 side. 



In some locations in Delaware shipments usually begin the last of July, but in 

 New Jersey, where it has become of most importance, its shipping period is usually 

 from the middle to the last of August. It is a valuable market sort, though it does 

 not ripen at the season of highest prices. It is considered one of the standard sorts 

 for the sections in this region where it is most grown. 



A few growers who have this variety report adversely concerning it, but such expe- 

 riences are rare. No explanation for such results is apparent. It may require higher 

 cultural conditions than some varieties. 



A few growers have put the fruit in cold storage for a period of two to four weeks 

 with gratifying results. It is said to hold well in storage for the time named, and this 

 permits placing it on the market in some seasons, at least, when prices are better than 

 they frequently are during August. 



Metz. 



This variety is said to have originated in Jones County, N. C. It has apparently 

 been distributed to a small extent locally, but is not widely known, even to those 

 who have orchards in the tide-water section of this State. 



The tree makes a fine, healthy growth, noticeably free from fungous diseases. The 

 fruit is good size, oblate, smooth, more or less striped with red. It ripens in North 

 Carolina the last of July and early in August. It is said to be excellent for cooking, 

 and especially good for cider, producing a much larger quantity of juice than most 

 varieties. It is recommended by some for growing near the coast. 



No mature specimens of this variety have been seen by the writer. Its merits, 

 aside from the tree characteristics noted above, are given here as reported by parties 

 who are growing it. 



Muster. 



Aside from the fact that this, variety was introduced many years ago, having been 

 described by Warder in "American Pomology,'' published in 1867, nothing appears 

 to be known relative to the history of this sort. It is likewise almost unknown to fruit 

 growers. As far as observed, it is confined to a single orchard in this region, which is 

 located in Caroline County, Md. 



The tree makes a good growth with noticeably healthy foliage. The fruit is medium 

 or above in size; oblate; yellow, covered with mixed red and crimson; fine grained, 

 juicy; subacid, aromatic, rich; best quality. Its season is from the middle to the 

 last of August in the section above mentioned. It is considered a valuable variety by 

 the one grower who is acquainted with its merits, with whom it is proving jiearly an 

 annual bearer. Its high dessert quality commends it for home use, though for com- 

 mercial purposes its season of ripening may be such that it would not be regularly 

 profitable. 



Oldenburg. Synonyms: Duchess of Oldenburg, Dutchess, Borovitslcy. 



This variety is of Russian origin. It is commonly supposed to have been first 

 introduced into this country in 1834 by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society a 

 at the same time that Alexander, Red Astrachan, and Tetofski were imported from the 

 Royal Horticultural Society, London, England. However, unless the synonym 

 Borovitsky was applied at a very early date to some other variety, it was introduced 

 prior to 1833. & 



a See the quotation under Alexander for further historical information. 



& Genesee Farmer, vol. 3, no. 24, 1833, p. 188. 



194 



