A remarkably beautiful apple, a native of New Jersey, and first
described by Coxe. It begins to ripen about the 20th of August, and
continues until the last of October. It has all the beauty of color of
the pretty little Lady Apple, and is much cultivated and admired, both
for the table and for cooking. It is also very highly esteemed for
drying. This variety forms a handsome, rapid-growing tree, with a fine
spreading head, and bears large crops. It is very valuable as a
profitable market sort. Fruit of medium size, very regularly shaped, and
a little narrow towards the eye. Skin smooth, with a delicate waxen
appearance, pale lemon yellow in the shade, with a brilliant crimson
cheek next the sun, the two colors often joining in brilliant red. Stalk
short, planted in a rather wide, deep hollow. Basin moderately
depressed. Calyx closed. Flesh white, tender, sprightly, pleasant
subacid. Good.
Remarks on the Maiden's Blush by the members of the State Horticultural
Society:
C. C. Cook: It is all right to raise for a local market and for family
use. Hardy tree. I planted probably 100. I cannot determine where to
place it on the list. Probably others have had more experience with it
than I have.
E. J. Holman: The Maiden's Blush deserves a place in both the family and
the commercial orchard. In its season it is unexcelled for market
purposes, and is especially attractive. I should recommend it as a
commercial apple.
H. L. Ferris: I would place it first as a summer apple for local market.
W. G. Gano: You certainly will not discard it.
W. J. Griffing: It is about the earliest apple that will bear shipping
in summer, and very profitable.
F. W. Dixon: I find it rather a shy bearer, but the tree is long-lived
and very hardy, and it deserves a place in the family orchard. I think
there is no profit in them for a commercial orchard.
President Wellhouse: They are long-lived and very hardy; I would
recommend them for family, but not for commercial orchard.
G. P. Whiteker: It comes at a time when there is much other fruit. I do
not think it pays very well. Mine turn brown from some cause.
Phillip Lux: It is our very best apple in its season; while talking of
the commercial orchard, there is a demand for apples at all seasons of
the year, and if we discard this, we will have nothing at its season. I
would say, place it in the commercial orchard for export.
W. J. Griffing: Do not know that it is profitable, but for quality the
Maiden's Blush is worthy of a place among fruits.
G. W. Bailey: As a summer apple for family and commercial orchards, I
would place it at the head of the list.
William Cutter: It is the best apple of its season for all purposes.
B. F. Smith: It is the best commercial apple for summer trade we have.
Secretary Barnes: At the late meeting of the Missouri Horticultural
Society, the secretary stated that he thought there was good money in
the Maiden's Blush. He said the trouble was, they were raised in too
limited quantities. He said they should be raised in car lots for
shipping to Northern cities; that they were quick growers and brought
ready money, and at their season had little competition in the market.
They come in when there are few apples obtainable, and he considers them
profitable.
H. L. Ferris: In my experience it bears only every other year. Is that
the experience of others?
President Wellhouse: The Maiden's Blush is the only summer apple that we
have made pay.
J. W. Robison: We have not grown Maiden's Blush very largely here. It is
one of our old apples in Illinois, and it is the earliest, most regular
and profuse bearer, and the best keeper of its season to ship in hot
weather. It was named for its beauty, and is the most attractive apple
grown. They last well if kept moderately cool. They are shipped largely
in barrels, the earlier ones in boxes, from central Illinois north. The
tree is tender in unusually cold seasons. Farther south there is no
danger. I find it is a good apple to sell in a small way to grocerymen.