The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1873-06-05
The WAGNER Apple Illustrated.
BY CHARLES WAGNER, PENN YAM, N. Y.

To the Editor Of tho Michigan Farmer.
DEAR SIR IL am informed by my nephew
Samuel II. Wagencr, residing in Muskegon,
Mich, that information is wanted at the
west in regard to the history and origin of the
Wagener apple. AS my acquaintance with
this variety dates back sixty years, i send YOU
statistics, also statement Of my experience in
its cultivation, which may he of interest to
your readers. BY referring to the transactions
of 1897, find its origin and history recorded
as follows, which deem correct In the
spring of l79l,a Mr. George Wheeler brought
with him from Dover, Duchess Co., n. y, a
bag of apple seeds, which he planted upon
his farm that he was reclaiming from will
dcrness. In 1896, Abram Wagner the gen.
tleman from whom the name Of the apple is
derived, purchased from Lewis BirGsell his
iaterest in the nursery produced from the
seeds referred to above, he having previously
purchased of the original owner, George VI.
Wheeler. Among the trees which were sub
ses was the one which is the subject of this
memoir. 1t now stands and occupies po-
sition in the thriving village of Penn Yam.
The premises are now owned by the Hon.
Ezekiel Cortener, who says, THE old trees
still continues to produce beautiful crop Of
delicious fruit" Observations by the CON-
mittee. "This apple is remarkable for its
agreeable taste and favor, so much so that
but one opinion has been expressed by the
numerous persons who have tasted it. Ii is
also rich and beautiful apple to the eye, in
which respect it is rarely surpassed. Its
keeping qualities have been proved to be, by
many years experience, OF the first order as
stated by Mr.. Lee, who remarks that it is
eaten from October to May"
The next year thirteen varieties Of seed
lngs were entered by competitors for the
premiums Of the society offered for seedlings.
After examination, being governed in their
action by rule first of the series Of Pomolog-
ical rules adopted 10y the Society, for the
guidance of its fruit committees, it was de-
cided that the "Wagener apple, from Chas.
Lee, of Gates, Co., to which the second pre-
MUM of the Society for seedlings was award
cd at the annual meeting of lS4S, was again
presented for competition, in accordance with
a suggestion of the committee for that year,
they being then unable to decide on its merits
as long keeper, owing to the fact of its
having been bruised on the passage to the
city in consequence ofits being badly packed,
and therefore not wishing to award it at that
time more than the second premium. The fruit
il thus far presented under more favorable
circumstances, aud from its beautiful appear
ance, good-size, tenderness of flesh and deli
easy Of favor as well a. fran rlUay Established Established
its character Of long keeper, they have con-
cluded to recommend that it he placed in the
first class of apples, and that an additional
sum OF IS and also diploma be awarded to
Mr.. Ice for it, Your committee--of whom
the Hon. Sanford Howard was 0ne-consder
this very fine apple desirable addition to
the list Of frst-class fruits. Its appearance
is prepossesing, as also its size and form.p
From the above statistics IL appears that
the original tree, which was planted in 1896,
was IN vigorous condition bearing bountful
crops Of good sized apples Of fine appearance
and delicious to the palate, in the year lS4S.
The tree at that time was 81 years old from
the seed. II continued to bear full crops of
merchantable fruit till about the year 1865,
being then "A years old from the seed. This
favorite has always found u ready market at
highly remunerative price, as high as 80 per
barrel having been freely paid for them in
Washington, New York and Philadelphia.
have in my orchard trees that set out in
1888, being now 30 years old, which are large
and thrifty have picked in one season from
single trees 80 bushels of fair and handsome
apples. This apple hangs to the tree with
great tcnacity, and it also possesses this cx.
cellent quality, the fruit can be all utilized,
none need be wasted, as il is one Of tho best
culinary apples we have. It is also excellent
for cider, near neighbor having tested 1t and
claiming that il makes better cider than the
Harrison apple. At present there is great de-
mand for WAGNER trees in Yates Go. In re-
gard to its keeping qualities, would here
state that this apple has been kept uih extra
care, until summer apples we're ft for use.
have also in my orchard fine trees Of the fol-
lowing winter apples, Baldwin, Grecning,
Seek-no-further, Bcllheur, Spitzenberg, Peck's
Pleasant, Tallman Sweet, Swarr, Tullpehock-
en- and White Winter Pcarmain, but / find
more profit from the Wagner than any Of the
above For. family consumption, we use the
Wagener almost entirely. Our friends when
visiting US always select for desert the Wag.
sner. In conclusion will state that this
fruit Is more popular here than ever before.
And as TO Its merits of exceeding beauty IL
adds the highest qualities for dessert and
cooking, IL will be cultivated wherever known.
will try and have this apple properly repre-
scntcd at your State Fair next fall from
trees that have been bearing over this thirty
years,
Yours Truly,
CHARLES WAGNER.