APPLES 
became popular with the settlers on the 
prairies of Illinois, lowa, and other north 
central states where the winters are se- 
vere. It is of good size, attractive in ap- 
pearance, and is one of the most valuable 
Russian varieties ever brought to this 
country. It ripens in the northern states 
about the last of August andthe first of 
September, and is generally highly es- 
teemed for home use on account of being 
a good cooker. The fruit is perishable 
and does not stand shipment well, but 
when carefully handled it may be consid- 
ered a fair commercial variety for its 
season. 
The tree is vigorous and hardy, but in- 
clines to slow growth with age. Its form 
is at first upright, spreading; but later 
becomes roundish; twigs moderately 
long, curved, slender, with dark brown 
bark. 
Fruit medium to large, average above 
medium, uniform in size and shape. Form 
roundish to oblate, regular, symmetrical. 
Skin moderately thick, tender, smooth, 
pale greenish yellow or pale yellow, al- 
most covered with irregular splashes and 
stripes of bright red mottled and shaded 
with crimson; prevailing effect, red 
striped. The flesh is tinged with yellow, 
rather firm. moderately fine, crisp, ten- 
der, juicy, sprightly subacid, aromatic. 
Rambo. 
221 
Rainier 
Historical.—The original 54 trees were 
planted some 30 years ago by a man now 
dead and, after a very thorough inves- 
tigation, no information was found that 
would lead to a knowledge of the source 
of the original scions or nursery stock. 
Up to the time the present owner, W. W. 
Scott, came into possession of the orchard 
the fruit was marketed under various 
names. The gentleman owning the or- 
chard at that time had decided to graft 
over the trees to Spitzenburgs, and when 
Mr. Scott moved on to the place he found 
that the Spitzenburg scions had been 
grafted in. When it came time to prune 
Mr. Scott was undecided whether to leave 
the Spitzenburg scions or the original 
trees but, owing to the fact that it would 
take several years for the scions to come 
into bearing and that Mr. Scott was no 
longer a young man, he at last made up 
his mind to leave the original trees and 
take a chance on the fruit. The name 
“Rainier” was selected as being suggest- 
ive of the locality. 
Tree.—The tree is a vigorous grower 
and is inclined to be spreading, there- 
fore, capable of bearing a heavy crop. 
Twigs quite long and slender. Bark light 
and showing a few dots. 
Fruit.—The fruit is oblong and slightly 
inclined to conical. Flesh, yellowish with 
practically no grain. Probably better de- 
scribed as “buttery.” Skin, yellowish 
green underneath with an over-coloring 
of dark red. Slightly streaked. Quality, 
much resembling the Delicious, but a 
much better cold storage apple. Fruit 
picked during October, 1912, was placed 
on the table at the banquet of the Inter- 
national Refrigerator Congress, Chicago, 
in September of 1913, in perfect condi- 
tion. The Government pomologists say it 
is the one apple which does not show 
some defect from -cold storage. Secald is 
unknown, decay practically so. Eating 
quality seems to improve rather than de- 
teriorate. Should also say in regard to 
the shape of the fruit that it shows the 
five distinct points at the blossom end 
which is so distinctive of the Delicious. 
