Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1876-06-01
NO.. 90.

and valuable fruits III Europe and America
it we'll represents our progress in pomology
generally 1t is now over one hundred wears
since the Ribston Pippin apple originated,
us is supposed IN England, for in 1875 there
were grated tree of it for sale in the Bromp-
ton nurseries propagated from the original
tree growing at Ribston Hall, near Karnes-
borough.
We name this variety not only on account
OF the great popularity which it has since
obtained, bat because through It's once ap-
parent decline in England for a period of
years, came the oft discussed theory of nat
ural deterioration of all cultivated fruits.
For some unknown cause, nearly all the
trees in England were, during the early part
of the present century, affected with dis
ease which bidtair for a while to prevent the
further propagation or culture of this then
famous apple.
Thos. Andrew Knight, a noted English
pomologlst, while trying to discover the
cause OF the disease, came to the conclusion
that the Ribston Pippin was really dying Of
old age, and all its progeny must necessarily
go with their parent Singular, and we
might almost say absurd, as such theory
was, there We're many to accept it as true
solution of the mystery which surrounded
the decline of this old and popular variety.
A few years later, however, we find the
Ribston Pippin again recommended as one
of the very best varieties in cultivation, and
to this day it is seldom left out of the most
select LIST of dessert opnlac
Its introduction into this country dates
from almost its first advent into orchard cul
ture in England.
For one hundred years thisapplehas rank
ed among the best, and the late A. j. Down
ing said that in Great Britain it stands as
high as the Bank of England.
In this country it has never been valued as
highly as in its native cline; still we think
a variety which can show so old and valuable
record is worthy of being placed high I'D
in the Centennial Roll of Honor.
The old Rhode Island Greening, Newton
Pippin, Baldwin, Tompkns County King,
and many other popular sorts, will probably
remain in cultivation and be exhibited at
our b-centennary celebration. For our part.
experience shows that there is little room
for progress, except in the production of
varieties adapted to certain conditions or
climates. In seeking this, quite marked
progress has been made during the past few
years, and in no one direction is it more ap-
parent than in what are termed Siberian Tor
Crab apples. 1t is not many years since
our list of these apples was made r,p of a
halfdozen small and scarcely edible sorts,
raised from the small wild apple OF North
ern Europe.
The varieties of the common P,y77ts maalus
having in the main proved too tender for the
more northern and northwestern States, our
pomologists were compelled to seek more
hardy species, and this was found in the Puvus
pJ7mitolia, or Siberian Crab-apple. For a
number Of years only acid varieties were
produced, and some of our fruit-growers
began to despair of a sweet sort in this spe-
cies; but it came at last, and now there are
One of the very best, if not the best, is the
Van Wyck. 1t originated near Fishkill. \.
Y, and was first brought to notice and de-
scribed by us in 1869. Since that time it has
been propagated and widely Disseminated
we nave several trees of it growing in our
grounds, and they give promise OF being
very vigorous and productive.
The Van Wyck is quite large for Siberi-
an, the skin white shaded and mottled on
the side exposed to the sun, with light red
NI,na Il,