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LIII. On the probable cause of the Russet in Apples, In a 

 Letter to the Secretary. By John Williams, Esq. 

 C. M. H. S, 



Read October 7, 1828. 



My dear Sir, 



I am desirous of drawing your attention to the different 

 appearance Apples and Pears assume in different seasons. 

 Apples usually coated with russet, and subject to have their 

 skins cracked, are often smooth and free from cracks in dry 

 summers. -They were much cracked and russetted in the 

 wet years of 1816 and 1817- A great drought set in after 

 the middle of May in the year 1818, and we had scarcely a 

 shower till the Apples were ripe in the autumn. The fruit 

 was then free from russet, large, but not good flavoured, and 

 I particularly remarked the Apple called " Sam Young," 

 which is usually much cracked and coated with russet, had 

 lost its usual character, was of a smooth yellow colour, en- 

 larged in size, but not good. The alternating temperature, 

 light, shade, dryness, and moisture, which occur many times 

 in the course of a day, when July and August are showery, 

 are, I am inclined to think, from long continued observations 

 on the effects of different seasons, the causes of Apples becom- 

 ing bronzed with russet. Continued rain preceded and fol- 

 lowed by a cloudy sky, does not seem to produce the same 

 effect ; but the sudden intense light which commonly suc- 

 vol. vii. 3 U 



