VAKIETIES OF APPLES. 



45 



In the upper portion of the Blue Bidge region at an elevation of 1,500 feet on Porters 

 clay it matures early in the fall, possessing no particular points of merit. In some of 

 the orchards of greatest elevation in the Blue Bidge it more nearly reaches the charac- 

 teristics of northern grown specimens, but it can not be recommended even for these 

 locations. 



Virginia Beauty. « 



The history of this variety dates back nearly a century to its origin in Carroll County, 

 Va. Though more or less disseminated in that section of the State soon after the 

 original tree began to bear, it does not appear to have become generally known, unless 

 possibly in a few particular sections, until comparatively recent years. This 

 variety has been planted quite extensively in some sections of these regions during 

 the past few years. The tree is a sturdy, stocky grower with branches standing out 

 nearly straight from the main axis of the tree, producing a rather fiat head. In a few 

 instances it has blighted somewhat, but this has not been a common experience. The 

 fruit is large; when highly colored nearly a solid purplish red; flavor mild, subacid, 

 almost sweet, and of excellent dessert quality. Its season is fall to midwinter, as influ- 

 enced by the conditions under which it is grown and kept. It is fairly productive, 

 though possibly not bearing such heavy crops as some sorts. 



This variety has been noted as giving very pleasing results on Cecil clay and Cecil 

 sandy loam at 800 to 1,200 feet elevation, and at the higher elevations in western 

 North Carolina it is also doing well. The influence of elevation does not appear to be 

 as marked as in the case of many other varieties which have been mentioned. 

 Wealthy. 



This variety is rarely found in these regions and the trees are of too recent planting 

 for it to be fully tested yet. From the indications, however, it appears to be a prom- 

 ising variety for its season. Its behavior in other widely separated sections indicates 

 that it is well adapted to an extensive range of conditions. It is attractive in appear- 

 ance, of good dessert qualit}^, suitable for either home use or market, ripening in the 

 central Piedmont region of Virginia during August. 

 Willow. Synonym: Willow Twig. 



The limited range of conditions under which this variety has been studied renders 

 a definite estimate of value impossible. It has been located in a small number of 

 orchards, of which the following represent typical conditions. 



At one point in Bedford County, Va., on what is probably Porters sandy loam with 

 east to southeast exposure and 1,200 to 1,500 feet elevation, this is considered one of 

 the most satisfactory varieties. It also does well on the porous mountain soil of 

 North Carolina at 3,600 to 3,800 feet altitude. 

 Winesap. 



This is one of the four or five great commercial varieties of the Piedmont region, 

 and as a "general-purpose" winter apple for the Piedmont conditions it is one of the 

 most uniformly successful and satisfactory sorts grown in this region. What the Bald- 

 win is to the northern apple-growing sections, this variety is to this region. In habit of 

 growth the tree is somewhat drooping and irregular, but it is fairly strong and vigorous, 

 though occasionally severely attacked by some of the leaf -blight fungi. The root 

 system is inclined to be rather weak and shallow; hence the trees are more liable to 

 be uprooted during storms than they otherwise would be, but in orchards that are 

 fairly well protected this has not proved an especially serious matter. The trees often 

 begin bearing when they are 3 or 4 years old and usually produce paying crops when 

 6 to 8 years old. While not producing heavy crops every year, they are more nearly 

 annual than those of most varieties, especially when the trees are maintained under 

 good cultural conditions. 



<^For a more complete history and description, see Yearbook, Department of Agri- 

 culture, 1905, p. 495. 

 135 



