28 STJMMEB APPLES IX THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC STATES. 



rich; very good. It ripens during August in the central part of the Chesapeake 

 peninsula . 



Early Edward. Synonym: Edward Early. 



Aside from the fact that this variety is of American origin, its history is obscure. 

 It was mentioned by James Mease in the first American edition of "The Domestic 

 Encyclopedia,'' which was published in Philadelphia in 1804. It is grown to a very 

 limited extent, and in this region it is to be found in only a small number of the older 

 orchards. 



The tree is fairly vigorous and productive. Where the San Jose scale is a serious 

 pest it appears to be peculiarly resistant to this insect. It has been observed that 

 when certain other varieties are even destroyed by it. this one remains nearly free 

 from attack. The fruit is of medium size or above; yellow, washed and striped with 

 red and crimson; subacid, pleasant; very good in dessert quality. In the central 

 and northern sections of this region, ripening occurs the last of July and the first of 

 August. When fully ripe, rotting at the core is frequently serious. For this reason 

 its value for market purposes is doubtful, but it may have a place for home use on 

 account of its high dessert quality. 



Early Harvest. Synonym: Prince's Harvest. 



This apple was first mentioned in American pomological writings in 1806. It is 

 therefore a very old variety and supposed to be of American origin. Few varieties 

 have become so widely disseminated over a large portion of the country as this one. 

 Throughout this region it is probably the most widely grown of any sort. How- 

 ever, it is to be found more generally in the older orchards, having been planted but 

 little in recent years. 



Generally the tree is fairly vigorous and healthy, though in some sections of this 

 region, especially in the Xorth Carolina portion, it is often badly affected with stem 

 or trunk tumors or knots a and certain other fungous diseases. The fruit is. typically, 

 medium to large in size; pale-yellow color; pleasant subacid flavor; dessert quality, 

 very good. Kipening begins at southern points in this region by the middle of June; 

 in the northern portion it is about three weeks later. 



As ordinarily grown, the fruit is very irregular in size and grade, many poor, knotty- 

 specimens being produced. It is much subject to injury from the plum curculio. 

 Hence a considerable proportion of the crop is usually of low grade, which renders 

 it less profitable commercially than some other varieties of the same season. As a 

 market sort, therefore, it is not popular. Its high dessert quality, however, gives it 

 a place in the home orchard. It is probable that it is better adapted to the climatic 

 conditions in the northern or Xew Jersey portion of this region than at southern 

 points. Here the tree is generally less subject to disease and as a rule the fruit 

 develops to a higher degree of perfection. 



Early Joe. • 



This variety originated many years ago at East Bloomfield. Ontario County. N. Y., 

 in the same orchard with Xorthern Spy and Melon. It is said to have received its 

 name from the fact that a man by the name of Joe was for a time accustomed to steal 

 the fruit early in the morning before he was in danger of being observed. It is not 

 much cultivated in any section. In this region, it exists in only an occasional 

 orchard. The trees which have been observed here are making a rather poor, unsatis- 

 factory growth. The fruit is small to medium; oblate, conic; dull greenish-white 

 undercolor, with dull red washing and striping; tender, juicy, mild subacid, 

 and of high dessert quality. Its season in the central portion of this region is the 

 last of July and early August. Its high quality commends it for home use. but it 



a See Circular 3, Bureau of Plant Industry, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. 



104 



