THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
57 
Our fruit and plant Register 
ESOPTJS (SPITZENBURG). 
It is most gratifying to note that this fine old variety is 
again coming into fashion. It is receiving more nearly its 
share of public attention. There is a special reason for this, 
and this lies largely in the fact that our friends on the North¬ 
west Pacific coast are demonstrating the possibilities of the 
Oregon climate and soil for the production of beautiful speci¬ 
mens of this noble variety. 
“ Esopus Spitzenburg” was styled by Coxe in 1817 as an 
“apple of great beauty and exquisite flavor.” He credited 
the vicinity of Albany, N. Y., with being its place of origination. 
Coxe also mentions the “Flushing Spitzenberg” of Long 
Island, and thinks that any difference which may exist be¬ 
tween them is due to the influence of soil and climate. Most 
fruit growers who know the two types do not subscribe to this 
opinion. They will, however, second this veteran fruit grower 
in his estimate of the quality of the fruit of this better known 
form. (See frontispiece.) 
Oregon Spitzenburgs from the Hood River Valley have suc¬ 
cessfully entered the somewhat limited high class apple market 
of New York City. The box package, coupled with rigid 
grading and handsome fruit, have enabled the Hood River men 
to contract their fruit at remunerative prices with dealers 
who cater to the fancy trade. 
We believe that more Esopus Spitzenburgs will be planted 
in the next five years than have been planted in the past 
twenty-five in New York and New England. One of the dif¬ 
ficulties in growing this variety in the past has been the sus¬ 
ceptibility of the fruit to fungus and insect attack. Another 
objection to the variety has been the weakness of the tree, 
both in nursery and orchard. It is not a pleasing grower in 
nursery, and this has retarded its propagation. On the other 
hand, there are here and there in Central New York, finely 
developed and still healthy trees of this variety many of which 
now approach the three-quarter century mark. 
We believe that Esopus and King should be top worked on 
vigorous stocks. We believe that there will be a limited field 
for nursery effort in this line, that the man who can guarantee 
weak growing varieties and on good vigorous stocks will find 
a profitable and, perhaps in the future, an extensive market. 
ROME (beauty). 
Unlike Spitzenburg, this is a comparatively modern variety. 
At any rate, its appearance as a commercial sort dates back 
only a few years. It originated in Southern Ohio, and in that 
region appears to find its greatest range of usefulness. It has 
been brought into prominence mainly through the experience 
of a few of the careful and progressive fruit growers in that 
state, notably U. T. Cox of Ohio. It is securing a hold upon 
the planters in New York, and to some extent on New Eng¬ 
land. A few of the nurserymen in Western New York have 
advocated its merits very warmly. 
We are not prepared to say that this variety, like some 
others, has a naturally wide range of adaptation. We are 
more inclined to think that its field of usefulness is more or 
less restricted to the region of its origination. Many speci¬ 
mens that we have seen grown in New York, for instance, 
have lacked color, and have not impressed us as being particu¬ 
larly desirable in point of quality. The illustration pre¬ 
sented with this was made from a photograph of a beautiful 
cluster of fruit furnished by Mr. Cox. This sample was not 
only handsome in appearance, but was also good in quality. 
The fruit is regular in outline, which facilitates safe packing 
and shipping. This is an important point in connection with 
a commercial apple; for one which like the York Imperial is 
characterized by sharp ridges is much more subject to injury 
than a variety regular in outline, like Wealthy or Baldwin. 
Crade and Other jottings 
—Lord & Burnham offer both iron and wooden frame greenhouses. 
Circular West Michigan Nurseries, Benton Harbor, Wholesale price 
list. 
—The Tecumseh nurseries or Cedarville, Ohio, are carrying a larger 
stock of apple trees. 
—For Crimson Ramblers and high grade roses “call up” Jackson & 
Perkins, Newark, N. Y. 
“Choice Trees and Hardy Shrubs,” being the title of the attractive 
catalogue of Frederick W. Ivelsey, 150 Broadway, New York. 
—The Monon Route will take a hand in transporting visitors to West 
Baden Springs. Write Chas. H. Rockwell, Chicago, for particulars. 
—Note horticultural implements offered by E. G. Mendenhall of 
Kinmundy, Ill. Circulars and prices will be furnished on application. 
—Arthur W. Cowee of Meadowvale Farm, Berlin, N. Y., is growing 
a large stock of the celebrated Groff Hybrid Gladioli. These are 
usually fine. 
—Among the implement attractions promised for the West Baden 
meeting is a sample of the Speer Grafting machine. The working of the 
machine will be illustrated in a practical manner by E. G. Mendenhall 
of Kinmundy, Ill. 
COMMENTS ON THE PROGRAM FOR WEST BADEN. 
Editor National Nurseryman. 
Dear Sir: —The subject of soil innoculation is a most inter¬ 
esting and important one, and we think it would be very 
desirable to have it presented at the coming meeting of the 
Nurserymen’s Association. Ellwanger & Barry. 
Rochester, N. Y. 
Editor National Nurseryman. 
Dear Sir:— We should be glad to hear a paper written by 
Dr. Moore at the West Baden meeting in regard to soil innocu¬ 
lation. We have no question, but that there is something in 
this, that will be of value to everybody, when it is found out 
what can be done, and we would like to know all that we can 
about it. The Storrs & Harrison Co. 
Painesville, Ohio. 
Editor National Nurseryman. 
Dear Sir: —The subject of soil inoculation is one with which 
I have had no experience, but from what I have read 
and know of Dr. Moore’s theory, I consider it one of the most 
important questions that will likely come before the Nursery¬ 
men or any other tillers of the soil, and I hope there will be a 
full discussion of the topic. We Southern Nurserymen in 
particular are greatly interested in that question and ex¬ 
pect to begin experimenting right away, but we want further 
light on the subject and hope it will be given to us at the com¬ 
ing meeting. J. Van Lindley, Pres. 
Pomona, N, C, 
