42 SUMMER APPLES IN THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC STATES. 



Pennsylvania and east of the Mississippi River, though not grown in large quantities. 

 Occasionally it is grown farther west, but not commonly. In this region it is more of 

 a fall apple than a summer variety, although at southern points it should be grouped 

 with the early sorts. It is more often found in the New Jersey section than elsewhere, 

 but it holds relatively an unimportant place. 



The tree makes a large, spreading top; it probably does not come into bearing quite 

 as early as many varieties do, though not considered particularly late in reaching bear- 

 ing age. The fruit is medium to large; greenish yellow, washed and mottled with red 

 or crimson, sometimes more or less overspread with gray; prominent russet dots; sub- 

 acid; good to very good. In the New Jersey section, as above indicated, it is a fall 

 apple, ripening about the middle of September, and it maybe kept for several weeks 

 or even months, but at southern points it reaches maturity the first of September. 



For a large portion of this region this appears to be a good general-purpose variety 

 for its season. The trees bear well; it is a good market variety of sufficiently high des- 

 sert quality to have a place in home orchards. 



Sops-of-Wine. 



This is an old European sort which has become more or less disseminated in this 

 country, but it has never been extensively grown. It is seldom included in recently 

 planted orchards. It is rarely grown commercially in this region, but an occasional tree 

 of it is found in a few orchards in the central and northern sections. 



The tree makes a good growth and bears at an early age. The fruit is roundish, 

 medium size, yellow, shaded and splashed with deep red, frequently becoming so com- 

 pletely shaded that the striping is obscured. Flesh is rather dry, subacid, and pos- 

 sesses a peculiar characteristic flavor which is exceedingly pleasant to some, but less 

 agreeable to others. The fruit ripens about the middle of July. It often decays 

 rather badly about the calyx before it is ripe, and drops considerably. Under 

 neglected conditions the fruit is very irregular in size; also scabs badly if not sprayed. 

 So far as observed, and in the opinion of those who know the variety in this region, 

 there is little to recommend it for planting here. 



Starr. 



The best available records indicate that this variety originated near Woodbury, 

 Gloucester County, N. J., on the grounds of Judge John Moore White, which were later 

 owned by a Mrs. Starr. A son of Mrs. Starr is said to have been in the legislature about 

 1865 with the late William Parry. He gave Mr. Parry some scions of\his variety, who 

 propagated it under this name. The Starr has remained comparatively unknown in 

 most sections, and in this region it is confined almost entirely to the New Jersey section, 

 where it is grown to a considerable extent. 



The tree makes a strong upright growth; bears early and abundantly, giving nearly 

 annual crops under good cultural conditions. (See fig. 5.) The apple is large; 

 roundish oblate; greenish white; subacid; good. It matures somewhat irregularly, 

 but it is essentially a July apple in season, usually beginning to ripen by the 10th to 

 the 15th of the month though not fully ripe until about the first of August. A good 

 size is reached comparatively early, and as it cooks well before it is ripe, it is generally 

 marketed accordingly. In fact, it should not be allowed to become too ripe before 

 picking as it soon becomes mealy. Picking may thus be governed in a measure by 

 market conditions, and if desirable its season may be made to extend over a consider- 

 able period. It is essentially a cooking apple, for which it is much sought after by 

 those who know its qualities for this purpose. 



In a few instances the trees have twig-blighted badly, but this is not a usual expe- 

 rience. The fruit shows bruises rather badly, which necessitates careful handling. 



This variety possesses qualities which would appear to recommend it for more general 

 planting in a large portion of this region. It is growing in importance. 

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