40 STTMMEK APPLES IN THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC STATES. 



While the Randolph, apple possesses some good qualities, particularly firmness of 

 texture and attractiveness of appearance, and ripens at a fairly good time, yet, on 

 account of its small size and light, irregular bearing proclivities, it is not considered 

 of special value by most of the growers in this section. The fact that it ripens prac- 

 tically with Williams, which is a finer ana larger apple, has also had an influence in 

 the matter, the latter being considered superior in essential particulars. In certain 

 sections of the country, where it is being grown in a limited way, greater value is 

 attached to it than by the growers in Delaware. 

 Red Astrachan. 



Though this variety is of Russian origin, doubtless from the province of Astrachan, 

 it evidently first reached this country through England, being introduced by the 

 Massachusetts Horticultural Society in 1834. a It was also introduced direct from 

 Russia in the large collection of varieties imported in 1871 by this Department. 



This variety is generally distributed throughout the North, and is also one of the 

 most important early varieties in this region. It is grown more at southern points in 

 the region than most other early varieties. It is reported as doing fairly well in close 

 proximity to the salt water at points along the Virginia coast, as well as at other places 

 farther south. 



The fruit is medium to large ; under color greenish yellow, almost entirely covered 

 with deep crimson, in some cases showing more or less striping; flavor a sprightly 

 acid, too sour to be pleasant for dessert purposes, but excellent for cooking. In season 

 it is essentially a July apple in the central and northern sections of this region. The 

 characteristics of the tree are shown in Plate IV, figure 2. It is a strong grower, with 

 heavy dark foliage. It is late in coming into bearing, seldom producing much fruit 

 before it is 8 to 10 years old. Heavy crops are generally borne every other year, 

 with light ones on the "off" year. 



In the New Jersey section but few are marketed before the 10th to the 15th of July. 

 In the North Carolina section its season begins by the middle of June. As the fruit 

 matures unevenly, the ripening period extends over a space of two or three weeks. 

 It should be picked as soon as the fruit is fully ripe, or slightly before, else it soon 

 becomes mealy and often cracks. 



The fruit is borne largely in clusters, the individual specimens of which ripen 

 irregularly, one at a time. It is difficult to gather the ripe apples without at the 

 same time removing large quantities of fruit which have not reached a desirable 

 stage of maturity. When the fruit is shipped as soon as it reaches a desirable size, as 

 is frequently done, without special regard to color, the proportion of poorly colored 

 specimens in a picking is of little or no consequence; but when highly colored fruit 

 is desired, this characteristic is objectionable in the variety. 



The fruit is somewhat inclined to decay in some orchards before it is ready for 

 market, but this is not a general experience in this region under good cultural methods. 

 There are apt to be a good many small and otherwise unmarketable apples, so that in 

 close grading there is a heavy percentage of low-grade fruit and culls. 



"While this variety has some rather serious faults in this region, it also has many 

 points of merit, and there appears to be no other red sort to substitute for it, especially 

 in point of season. 



Red June. Synonyms: Carolina Red June, Carolina Red, North Carolina Red June. 



The place of origin of this variety is in doubt, but it is generally assumed to be 

 North Carolina. It has long been in cultivation and has become very widely dis- 

 seminated, especially in middle latitudes and the South. In this region it is quite 

 common in the Chesapeake peninsula and Virginia sections, and in the North Caro- 

 lina section it is perhaps grown in more orchards than any other early sort. 



« See the quotation under Alexander for further historical information. 

 194 



