Of the last of these two apples it has been justly said, that it is the
best to keep, the best to eat, and the best to cook. We might add, the
best to carry. It can be marketed anywhere. Of the former, we have the
best authority for saying, that “it stands at the head of all apples.”
Such an estimate is not to be lightly weighed, for it is the testimony
of Downing himself. It may be truly said, that the individual who
cultivates these two varieties has the best apples for both early and
late winter use. Perhaps these two apples cover a greater number of
weeks than any other two in the catalogue. The Rhode Island Greening is
one of the most esteemed and profitable among early winter fruits; and
the Green Newtown Pippin comes into excellence just about the time when
the former is going out. We imagine that we have noticed _varieties_ in
the Rhode Island Greening, we are almost satisfied of the correctness of
this statement. The true is yellow-fleshed, “fine grained, tender,
crisp, with an abundance of rich, slightly aromatic, lively, acid
juice;” the spurious is green-fleshed, not so sprightly or fraiche, and
though possessing many of the outward characteristics, has none of the
excellencies of the former in perfection. The true cooks as well as it
eats, and in February and March is one of the best dessert apples going.
The Newtown Pippin, when in perfection, is acknowledged to be unrivalled
in all the qualities which constitute a high flavored dessert apple. It
combines the qualities of long keeping, without the least shrivelling,
retaining its high flavor to the last. In the Niagara district both
varieties attain to their utmost perfection. J. G. Miller, of Virgil,
cultivates both varieties with the greatest success, and is skilled in
distinguishing the true variety of the Green Newtown Pippin. The color
of this apple is dull-green, with a brownish blush on one side, dotted
with small gray specks, and its distinguished and unfailing
characteristic, delicate russet rays around the stalk. For years we
cultivated the Yellow Newtown Pippin, thinking it the genuine Newtown;
experience taught us the difference; they are entirely distinct. The
Yellow Newtown Pippin is a good apple, but very apt to spot; it grows to
an immense size.
We need not say that this short paragraph is intended as a way-mark for
intending fruit growers; another contribution to the benefits conferred
on the fruit growing community by the HORTICULTURIST.
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