
          224
No 124
Timothy Matlacks}
No 3. cider fruit    }

English Red Streak

The Red Streak is one of the most
highly celebrated Cider apples in
England and Devonshire is thought
superior to any other. The character of this
fruit also ranks high in New York &
in East New Jersey. It is a small fruit with
a red streaked skin.  The flesh is firm rich dry & yellow
and admits of the cider being expressed
clear of the Pulp.  The liquor is remarkably
strong and when made carefully
very high flavored.  The fruit ripens late 
and keeps remarkably well through
the Winter. It is much liked in the
Spring for house use.  The apples
should be housed to ripen before made
into Cider.  I have heard good judges
prefer Red Streak Cider to any other,
but in my opinion the Cider though high flavored & strong is
rather too harsh.  (see below)
[sketch of index finger pointing right]
Octo. 19, 1811 Timothy Matlack brought me two bottles put up last
Spring with twine and is as for [illegible] I drew one and put the other in my
Cellar. It was fine, pale yellow, sweet & delicate without that
harshness I have understood to be characteristic of the Redstreak.
At the time it did not appear to be uncommonly
strong bodied.

[sketch of apple]

Sept 1819
From a specimen brought to
me by Mr Comstock from Dutchess County New York the apple there call the Redstreak
is a different fruit from our Redstreak, the NY is a streaked apple  & more flat, ours
is a longer form, no streaks but yellow spots on a red ground.
        