15. GLORIA MUNDI or _Monstrous Pippin_. Tree, one of the most upright,
top close, and resembling the pear. Wood medium sized, healthy,
vigorous growth, wood ripens early, not subject to frost-blight; bears
on moderately young trees. It works well from the bud, and also
extremely well grafted on roots, and grows straight and finely for
nursery purposes. Fruit very large, green, changes when dead-ripe to a
yellowish white. Flavor mild, subacid; flesh melting and spicy. Ripens
in November, at the same time with the Golden Russet, but will not
keep as long. A native.
16. BLACK APPLE.—Tree low, spreading, and round topped; wood of medium
vigor, healthy, ripens early, and not subject to frost-blight. Grafts
on the root kindly; not so favorable for budding as the No. 15; bears
remarkably young, and abundantly to a fault. Fruit medium sized; color
very dark red, almost black, with grey rusty spots about the stem;
flesh tender, breaking; moderately juicy, flavor rather sweet, though
not a real sweet apple. No apple would stand fairer as an early winter
fruit, were it not for a peculiar, dry, raw taste, somewhat resembling
the taste of uncooked corn meal. Ripens from November to January. It
is a native.
17. NEWTON SPITZENBURG.—Tree, not large, upright but not compact, top
open; wood of medium size and vigor of growth; healthy, ripens early,
and yet, now and then, it takes the frost-blight; bears moderately
young, every other year, very abundantly; grafts well on the root,
buds only moderately well, good for nursery handling. Fruit, varying
much in size, but often large, flesh melting, juicy; flavor rich,
spicy, subacid; ripens from November to January.
18. RHODE ISLAND GREENING.—Tree large, very spreading and drooping,
grows vigorously, healthy, ripens early, not subject to frost-blight;
bud takes well; but, whether grafted on the root, or budded, it will
plague the nurseryman by its disposition to spread and twist about
like a quince bush. It should be budded on strong stocks at the height
at which the top is to be formed; but it always overgrows the stock.
Fruit very large, color green, with cloudy spots dotted with pin-point
black specks; flesh breaking, tender and juicy: flavor mild, rich,
subacid; a very popular fruit. Ripens from November to January.
19. HUBBARDSTON NONESUCH.—Admirable in nursery; works well on root or
by bud. We give Downing’s description, as it has not fruited in this
region.
“A fine, large, early winter fruit, which originated in the
town of Hubbardston, Mass., and is of first rate quality.
The tree is a vigorous grower, forming a handsome branching
head, and bears very large crops. It is worthy of extensive
orchard culture.
“Fruit large, roundish-oblong, much narrower near the eye.
Skin smooth, striped with splashes, and irregular broken
stripes of pale and bright red, which nearly cover a
yellowish ground. The calyx open, and the stalk short, in a
russeted hollow. Flesh yellow, juicy, and tender, with an
agreeable mingling of sweetness and acidity in its flavor.
October to January.”