59* 
THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
There are certain reasons for this. In order to be generally 
popular a variety must have vigor, must have certain com¬ 
mercial characteristics, such as productiveness, attractive 
appearance and carrying quality. The Early Joe is not 
eminently noted for any of these characteristics. The tree 
is a rather slow, weak grower. This defect is to some 
extent offset by its early bearing habit, but again it is handi¬ 
capped by susceptibility to one of the worst fungus diseases 
affecting the apple, black spot, or apple scab. This in its 
most virulent form, dwarfs and distorts the fruit of Early 
Joe so that it is hardly recognizable, but in these days of 
spray remedies such diseases as apple scab, while to be taken 
into consideration, are not to be regarded as absolute hin¬ 
drances to the cultivation of any variety however suscepti¬ 
ble. 
Early Joe is of Connecticut origin, although its birth 
place was in New York, for Connecticut furnished the seed 
and Ontario county, N. Y., simply the seed bed requisites. 
It appeared about 1800 and came along with a goodly crop 
of varieties, for it was of the day and generation of Wagener, 
Spy and Primate. These fine varieties appeared in Western 
New York about the same time and possibly from seed 
brought from somewhere in the same general vicinity. 
While the tree is defective in point of vigor, especially 
when young, to such an extent that we cannot speak of it in 
superlatives we can certainly enthuse over the qualities of 
the apple. Small in size, it is true, and not surpassingly 
attractive, equally true, but nevertheless suggestive of'high 
quality, in its coat of dull red and russet, the exterior is 
rather disappointing, to the uninitiated, yet compensation 
comes when the interior is reached. The yellow, fine 
grained, crisp, yet tender and juicy flesh, with its rich, sub¬ 
acid flavor is agreeable, nay more, satisfying to the very 
core. As a rule there is little core left, and in the case of 
boy consumer, “there ain’t no core.” 
Give Early Joe warm gravelly loam, feed it generously, 
which means not only fertilizing but cultivating, spray it 
annually, and it will certainly bring pleasure to owner and 
family and will al^so not fail to carry satisfaction to the 
discriminating buyer. 
JEFFERIS 
Here is another apple of splendid quality, very poorly 
appreciated. It was over in Chester county, Pa., that the 
variety originated with Isaac Jefferis something more than 
a half century ago. There is nothing especially distinctive 
about the character of the tree. It is simply a typical apple 
tree, moderately upright when young, later on assuming a 
round-headed habit. It is reasonably vigorous and not 
especially afflicted with fungous enemies. The very quali¬ 
ties which disqualify this for commercial uses give it dis¬ 
tinctive value for the home garden and the special market 
grower. Critics say it ripens unevenly. This is true, but 
when planted for home use a tree which dees not ripen all its 
fruit in the same week is of greater advantage to the small 
gardener than the one which brings every specimen to 
maturity at the same moment and exactly on time. The 
fact that this variety has twenty-five distinct references in 
open. The flesh is almost white, of firm, fine, crisp yet 
tender texture. Its juiciness is a striking feature while its 
mild aromatic qualities never fail to please. Jefferis is 
eatable in September. It may be kept until January with¬ 
out difficulty and in good condition. It may be set down as 
an unappreciated variety, but one which the grower will 
make no mistake in planting for home use or for a dis¬ 
criminating market. 
PRIMATE 
In this variety we have a great favorite with housewives 
in Central and Western New York. It is regarded by them 
as the king of autumn apples. It is one of the few varieties 
which has been honored by having had a tablet erected to 
commemorate the place of its birth. One of the public 
spirited townsmen of Syracuse, Mr. John T. Roberts, some 
years ago took the trouble to investigate the history of the 
variety, and becoming convinced that it had its origin in a 
certain place in the township of Camillus, Onondaga county, 
he was instrumental in placing upon the spot a bronze 
tablet bearing the following inscription: “On this farm, 
Calvin D. Bingham about 1840 produced the marvelous 
Primate Apple, named by Charles P. Cowles. God’s earth 
is full of love to man.” This action certainly betokens the 
right spirit. 
The tree is recognized as a moderately vigorous one, of 
roundish form, fairly hardy. Fruit is of medium size, of 
rather unattractive whitish yellow color, occasionally bear¬ 
ing a slight blush, but never striped. The flesh is almost 
white, very fine textured, very tender and juicy, and 
sprightly sub-acid with pleasant aroma. In the region of 
its birthplace this variety is in season during August and 
September. Like Jefferis and Chenango the fruit ripens 
unevenly and should be picked successively. Beach, in 
“The Apples of New York” says that it is “moderately long- 
lived and reliably productive.” 
If one grows Chenango it is probable that Primate may 
be dispensed with, but those who have grown it usually 
become so much attached to it that they are very loath to 
be convinced that there are other varieties of this season 
better or even as good. 
CONDITIONS IN KANSAS 
Here we have had the warmest March on record and it 
has pushed everything out far in advance of any former 
years, cut short our shipping season, and brought the plant¬ 
ing on with a rush. It has been an ideal spring for work or 
we would never have been able to be as far advanced as we 
are, for help has been very scarce and what we could get 
has been of a very poor grade. 
Parsons, Ivans. E. P. Bernardin. 
SPECIAL REQUEST 
Secretary John Hall desires to have all copy for ad¬ 
vertisements in the Badge Book sent in to him by May 15. 
Will those who have not done so, attend to Membership 
and Badge Book? 
