_Synonyms_: King Philip and Philip Rick.
The Jonathan is a very beautiful dessert apple, and its great beauty,
good flavor and productiveness in all soils unite to recommend it to
orchard planters. The original tree of this variety is growing on the
farm of Mr. Philip Rick, of Kingston, N. Y. It was first described by
the late Judge Buel, and named by him in compliment to Jonathan
Hasbrouck, Esq., of the same place, who made known the fruit to him. It
succeeds wherever grown, and proves one of the best in quality, and most
profitable either for table or market. The tree is hardy, moderately
vigorous, forming an upright, spreading, round head. Young shoots rather
slender, slightly pendulous, grayish brown. Fruit of medium size,
regularly formed, roundish conical, or tapering to the eye. Skin thin
and smooth, the ground clear light yellow, nearly covered by lively red
stripes, and deepening into brilliant or dark red in the sun. Stalk
three-fourths of an inch long, rather slender, inserted in a deep,
regular cavity. Calyx set in a deep, rather broad basin. Flesh white,
rarely a little pinkish, very tender and juicy, with a mild, sprightly,
vinous flavor. This fruit evidently belongs to the Spitzenburg class.
Best. November to March.
Remarks on the Jonathan by members of the State Horticultural Society:
Dr. G. Bohrer: Jonathan is probably the best apple I grow. They sell for
the highest price in the general market. They produce fewer culls than
other varieties. It is not a profuse bearer as far south as I am [Rice
county]. It ripens too early, and is affected by strong winds.
E. J. Holman: The Jonathan is one of the most desirable all-around
apples, excellent as a dessert fruit, of a beautiful deep, bright color,
of good quality and strong constitution. It is often called a fall
apple, yet, if put in cold storage, it may be brought out even in June
in good condition. I place it third as a commercial fruit.
W. G. Gano: The Jonathan should be picked early and put in cold storage.
I would place it second as a commercial apple.
W. J. Griffing (Riley county): We consider it about fourth on the list
as a commercial apple.
J. B. McAfee: It is large, and about the second for profits in my
orchard, which has been planted twenty-seven years.
F. W. Dixon: I would place the Jonathan about third as a commercial
apple. In our county it is longer lived than any other apple tree and
freer from insects.
James Sharp: Its only objection is its inclination to fall. I suppose,
if picked early and put in cold storage, they may be as good, but do not
look as well.
Walter Wellhouse: I think the demand for Jonathan is declining some
among large dealers. A few years ago they sold for an advance of from
fifty cents to one dollar per barrel. In Minneapolis and Chicago the
market still seems good for them; but if I were to plant now I would not
plant as many Jonathans as five or ten years ago.
G. P. Whiteker: The Jonathan sells better in our market [Topeka] than
any other apple. They have a good reputation; none better. They must be
picked early.
Phillip Lux: I would place it fifth commercially, it drops so early,
before coloring up; it stands more abuse than any other apple we have,
and, if gathered early, will keep even without cold storage until the
market improves.
Dr. Q. Bohrer: I agree with Mr. Sharp. I think the farther west we go
the poorer the fruit gets. You have more rainfall in the eastern part of
the state. It is hardy, possibly hardier than Ben Davis, but it falls
early. It is much like Winesap, requiring more moisture than other
varieties. When not much exposed to winds it does well. Of late our
rainfall is not sufficient, and they are not doing so well, but since
trying irrigation they do better.
William Cutter: I live too far west for the Jonathan. It will not stand
drought or wind. It ripens too early. It is a cold-storage apple. The
worst spur blight I ever saw was on them.
B. F. Smith: It is a good wet-weather apple. If there is plenty of
moisture, they do fine. I gather them about the 10th of September, and
they keep until the next spring. I tried to see how long I could keep
them. They should be about third on the commercial list.