Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-09-19
Mr.. webster's Russian Apples.

1t is said that the English have no sweet
apples, but certainly the Russians have
them In the list of varieties imported by
the Department of Agriculture there are
number Of this kind. We have one, the
Prolific Sweeting (No. 35D, which has
not yet produced fruit. Mr.. Webster sent
us last year the " Sugar Barbel (No. 1862,
of which we gave brief notice, and there
are several others on the list. Among the
specimens grown by Mr.. Webster this season
is summer sweet Of small size, red in color,
of very delicate flavor and texture, that
may prove valuable. The number was lost,
so that the name on the department list is
not known. Mr.. w. says the tree is slow
grower.
Another variety number lost, but believed
to be the "Juicy White" (No. 15O, is
large, light yellow apple, somewhat conical
in shape, of pretty tart flavor. Tree, as
reported by Mr.. w., splendid grower, re-
sembling Charottenhaer No. $40, de-
cribed last week., but more twiggy, and
with larger spurs.
Still another apple received from Mr..
Webster, of which the name is uncertain, is
one the scion of which came numbered 965,
"Sweet Pear Apple" Mr.. Webster asks if
we do not think it may be identical with
"Yellow Transparent" He says he has
carefully compared the fruit foliage and
growth, and believes they are the same vari-
ETY.. The color and form of the fruit is
similar though this is more conical, but the
difficulty is in the size. Mr.. Webster says
the specimen sent us was the smallest from
his tree, yet it was considerably larger than
the largest of our Yellow Transparent "
crop of over bushel. There is not much
difference in quality Mr.. Webster says it
is ga splendid tree, and the fruit seems to
please ALL" OF the Yellow Transparent "
he remarks You have not extolled this
apple too highly 1t gave 0his Year, good
eating apples during the whole month of
August, the best specimens ripening about
the middle of the month. 1t is about a
week earlier than Red Astrachan, and bet
ter desert apple much better, we should
say1, its melting fesh abundant juice, and
mild, rich sub-acid flavor pleasing every
taste"
"White Transparent" (No. 1867, is
another of Mr.. Webster's specimens, smaller
than Yellow Transparent" but of rather
finer grain and richer flavor, suggesting the
old Early Harvest" 1t is heavy bearer !;
ripe first of August.
"Whte Pigeon Apple" (No. 31T, re-
ceived through Mr. Webster, from c. M.
Howard, of West Randolph, is in quality,
the best Russian apple we have yet tested.
1t is of medium size, roundish, slightly con-
ical; light yellow ground, delicately striped
and specked with carmine; flavor, neutral,
almost sweet, with an Undesirable spicy
mingling of apple, pear and banana flavor,
that is very pleasant to refined palate
Season, middle to last of August. No de
scription of tree.
"Red Duck Apple (No. 60, is probably
misnamed. 1t is round, yellow apple OF
medium size, mild, neutral flavor, very good
No description of tree.
"Red Wine Apple" (No. 343), medium
size, yellow, with red markings Brisk acid
taste; very good. "An elegant, upright
growing tree"
Charlottenhaler (No. 1922, of which
we copied Mr.. Webster's account last week
is, with perhaps the exception of the En-
peror Alexander Zone of the older importa
tions), the largest of the Russians. The
quality is good, but we have too many Of
the season (Augus) in this class. A choice
will have to be made among them, and We
think it will fall upon some other than this
for general use.
"Switzer (No. 30D, is delightful little
apple of the size and shape of the Fameuse
but of more delicate coloring. Flavor, rich
sub-acid, spicy and juicy. "Splendid tree
The Switzer" maintains its resemblance t.
the Fameuse also in the whiteness of flesh
which gives to the latter its name of Snow
apple" Season, last of August or first o.
September. Very desirable for family use
and perhaps for market.
"White Wochins (No. 364), is we SHOULD
say, another misnamed kind. II is a round
ish, slightly oblate apple of full medium
size. Color greenish yellow, washed owe
with thin red around the blow and stem
Flavor, sub-acid rather harsh. Flesh coars
grained, Gecalling clutch Mignonne y
breaking and little dry. A peculiar anc
rather handsome apple, that would probabl,
market well. +" Tree bears enormously
Season, September
"Imperial Citron" (No. 39O, is round
ish yellow apple of medium size thinl
speckled and striped with red. Flavor, neu
trail, only moderately mellow and juicy
Season, September. " A vigorous tree, abou
as hardy as Red Astrachan."
We have two other varieties, one tn
Lubsk Queen (No. l44), from Hubbard an
Tillotson, West Randolph, referred to las
week; the other Spreading Pipka" (NC
1859, neither of which are yet matur
enough to report upon. Mr.. Webster write
us that he has also several sorts that appea
like winter apples, which he will hereafte
furnish descriptions of.