LETTER FROM A. J. DOWNING.Wegive below a letter from Mr. Downing, long known as an eminent pomologist and more recently yet more distinguished for his writings upon Horticultural matters. Although a private letter, it is of general interest, and he will, we hope, indulge the liberty taken.[13]“Highland Gardens, Newburgh, New York,Feb.29th, 1845.“My dear Sir: I thank you for the interesting article on horticulture in the West, which appears in the lastNo.ofHovey’s Magazine.“My particular object in writing you at this moment is to call your attention to the remarks you make on the ‘Golden Russet,’ which you call ‘the prince of small apples.’ From your description of this fruit it is the ’sheep-nose,’ or ‘Bullock’s Pippin’ of Coxe, well known here, and one of the most melting and delicious of apples. I understand from Professor Kirtland of Cleveland, that this is the apple known by the name of Golden Russet in his region.“Will you do me the favor, for the sake of settling the synonyms, to send me two or three cuttings of the young wood, by mail? I can then determine in a moment. The Sheep-nose has long shoots of a peculiardrabcolor. If your apple proves the same, I think I shall cancel the title ’sheep-nose’—(a vile name), known only in New Jersey, and substitute ‘American Golden Russet’[14]—this being its common title in New England and the West. I speak now in relation to my work on fruits, now in press.“What do you mean by the ‘White Bell-flower of Coxe?’ The Detroit I have carefully examined, and it is quitedifferent from the Yellow Bellflower. The Monstrous Bellflower—the only other one Coxe describes—is a large autumn fruit, while the Detroit keeps till April?“My work on Fruits has cost me a great deal of labor, but will still contain many imperfections. When it is out of press—in about six weeks—I promise myself the pleasure of sending it with the copy of each of my previous works for the acceptance of your Horticultural Society. And I then hope to be favored with your criticism. Hoping an early answer to my queries herein,“I am sincerely yours,“A. J. Downing.“H. W. Beecher.”We should have said “Monstrous Bellflower” instead of White.The Bellflower here mentioned is the White or Green Bellflower of Indiana, theOhio Favoriteof western Ohio about Dayton, etc., theHollow-cored Pippin of some; and it has been inquired for, at Mr. Alldredge’s nursery, as theCumberland Spice. Mr. A—— considered, from the description given, that the white Bellflower only could have been meant. But from the following description of Cumberland Spice in Kenrick, from Coxe, I am inclined to think that the true Cumberland Spice may have been inquired for.“The tree is very productive; a fine dessert fruit, large, rather oblong, contracted toward the summit; the stalk thick and short; of a pale yellow color, clouded near the base; the flesh white, tender, and fine. It ripens in autumn, and keeps till winter, and shrivels in its last stages.”The fruit was brought to Wayne County, Indiana, by Mr. Brunson. He came from New York to Huron county, Ohio, and thence to Wayne County, Indiana. It is universallydiffused through the eastern and central parts of Indiana, and is esteemed a first-rate apple. Thetreestrikingly resembles the Green Newtown Pippin, but its brush is not so small, and there is less of it, the top being rather more open. The wood is brittle, and, as the tree is a free and constant bearer, it tends to break, and is troublesome to keep in good order. Mr. Ernst and other gentlemen of Cincinnati suppose the variety to be theDetroit. We cannot say one thing or another, except that it is of the Bellflower family. The Detroit of New York is a widely different fruit, of a bright scarlet color, and we never heard of any otherDetroit, until the name was applied to this apple.There is not the least doubt that theGolden Russetof the West is theBullock PippinandSheep-noseof New Jersey, and we hope that the proposed name “American Golden Russet” will deliver us, for ever after, from eating any moresheep-noses. Names are of importance in classifying fruits, and there is a pleasure also in having a decorous name to a good fruit. It is amusing to look through a catalogue of singular names.TheHossapple is popularly theHorseapple, and when, on a certain contingency a gentleman promised to eat ahossit was not so hazardous a threat as some have imagined. The French, in naming their fruits, exercise a freedom with things human and divine, to which we occidentals are not accustomed (as,Ah Mon Dieu! Grosse Cuisse Madame, etc.), and an innocent person, recapitulating his pears, might, if overheard by neighbors understanding French, be thought very profane, or worse. There are other names which have a tendency to make the mouth water, asOnion Pear. One must have pleasing associations while eating theToad Pear. (See Prince’s Pom. Man.p.24 and 34.) The FrenchBon Chrétien(or Good Christian) is called in these parts theBon Cheat-em. Then, there is the Demoiselle, the Lady’s Flesh, and Love’s Pear (Prince, 58, 34,and 117)—very proper for young lovers. Then, there is theBurnt Cat(Chat Brusléof the French, Prince 89), which undoubtedly has a musk flavor. We have less objection to thePriest’s Pear(Poire de Prêtre, Prince, 108). Piscatory gentlemen would always angle in our nurseries for theTroutpear (Prince 130), and if they did not get a bite, the pearwould, as it is a fine variety. How did those who named pears,Louise Bonne de Jersey, orVan Mons leon le clerc, expect common folks to hold fast to the true name? But he must have a short memory indeed, who forgets the emphatic name ofYatorYut.But to return from our digression. We give the description of the Golden Russet from three sources, and indorse their general accuracy:GOLDEN RUSSET.—(DR. PLUMMER.)“Size.—2 2-10 inches long; 2 7-10 inches wide.“Form.—Rather smaller at the summit; moderately flattened at the ends.“Pulp.—Very tender, juicy, yellowish white.“Color.—Deep yellow, with brown and russet clouds; or wholly brown and russet.“Surface.—Nearly dull; ruffled by the confluent lineoles; dots hardly discoverable.“Flavor.—Sweet and delicious.“Stem.—Slender; half to one inch long, reaching to a considerable distance beyond the verge.“Eye.—In rather contracted cavity; closed.“Ripens in the tenth month“It is one of our best apples, and keeps well through the winter.”“Whether the Leathercoat and the Glass apple are the same as are now known under those names, it is impossible to determine. Near Poughkeepsie, in the State of New York, the Leathercoat used to be a favorite fruit; andwhether it is the same as the Golden Russet, described above, I am not now able to say; but my recollection of that apple after a lapse of twenty-three years, induces me to think it is no other than the Golden Russet; and, indeed, Trevelyan calls it also the ‘russetappell.’ The Glass apple was described in a former number of ‘The Orchard.’ If the ‘lethercott’ has descended to us under the name of Golden Russet, the fine flavor of this apple would lead us to believe that it had not deteriorated, after a period of more than two centuries and a half.”—West. Farm. and Gard., 1843.BULLOCK’s PIPPIN, OR SHEEP-NOSE.—(COXE.)Golden Russet of Cincinnati. Golden Russet of the Eastern nurseries.—(Dr. Kirtland.)“Neither the size nor appearance of this fruit would attract attention; yet it sells more readily in markets where it is known than any other apple. Its flavor is rich and pleasant, and many people consider it the best fruit of the season. In northern Ohio it matures at New-Year’s, while in Cincinnati it is in perfection in November.”—West. Farm. and Gard., 1841.GOLDEN RUSSET—BULLOCK PIPPIN, OR SHEEP-NOSE.—(A. HAMPTON.)“This apple is below medium size; the skin is yellow, inclined to a russet; the flesh yellow, rich, juicy, tender and sprightly. I know of no apple more generally admired for its richness and excellent flavor than this; commanding a high price, and ready sale, in market; it makes very rich cider; a great and constant bearer; and keeps well till spring.”—West. Farm. and Gard.Farm. and Gard., 1841.We do not know another apple whoseflavorandfleshare so admirable. A gentleman in Ohio, on being asked for a list of a hundred trees for an orchard, replied, “set out ninety-nine Golden Russets, the other one you can choose for yourself.”[13]Mr. Downing’s untimely end by drowning is well known.[14]There is an English Golden Russet, distinct and quite acid.
Wegive below a letter from Mr. Downing, long known as an eminent pomologist and more recently yet more distinguished for his writings upon Horticultural matters. Although a private letter, it is of general interest, and he will, we hope, indulge the liberty taken.[13]
“Highland Gardens, Newburgh, New York,
Feb.29th, 1845.
“My dear Sir: I thank you for the interesting article on horticulture in the West, which appears in the lastNo.ofHovey’s Magazine.
“My particular object in writing you at this moment is to call your attention to the remarks you make on the ‘Golden Russet,’ which you call ‘the prince of small apples.’ From your description of this fruit it is the ’sheep-nose,’ or ‘Bullock’s Pippin’ of Coxe, well known here, and one of the most melting and delicious of apples. I understand from Professor Kirtland of Cleveland, that this is the apple known by the name of Golden Russet in his region.
“Will you do me the favor, for the sake of settling the synonyms, to send me two or three cuttings of the young wood, by mail? I can then determine in a moment. The Sheep-nose has long shoots of a peculiardrabcolor. If your apple proves the same, I think I shall cancel the title ’sheep-nose’—(a vile name), known only in New Jersey, and substitute ‘American Golden Russet’[14]—this being its common title in New England and the West. I speak now in relation to my work on fruits, now in press.
“What do you mean by the ‘White Bell-flower of Coxe?’ The Detroit I have carefully examined, and it is quitedifferent from the Yellow Bellflower. The Monstrous Bellflower—the only other one Coxe describes—is a large autumn fruit, while the Detroit keeps till April?
“My work on Fruits has cost me a great deal of labor, but will still contain many imperfections. When it is out of press—in about six weeks—I promise myself the pleasure of sending it with the copy of each of my previous works for the acceptance of your Horticultural Society. And I then hope to be favored with your criticism. Hoping an early answer to my queries herein,
“I am sincerely yours,
“A. J. Downing.
“H. W. Beecher.”
We should have said “Monstrous Bellflower” instead of White.
The Bellflower here mentioned is the White or Green Bellflower of Indiana, theOhio Favoriteof western Ohio about Dayton, etc., theHollow-cored Pippin of some; and it has been inquired for, at Mr. Alldredge’s nursery, as theCumberland Spice. Mr. A—— considered, from the description given, that the white Bellflower only could have been meant. But from the following description of Cumberland Spice in Kenrick, from Coxe, I am inclined to think that the true Cumberland Spice may have been inquired for.
“The tree is very productive; a fine dessert fruit, large, rather oblong, contracted toward the summit; the stalk thick and short; of a pale yellow color, clouded near the base; the flesh white, tender, and fine. It ripens in autumn, and keeps till winter, and shrivels in its last stages.”
The fruit was brought to Wayne County, Indiana, by Mr. Brunson. He came from New York to Huron county, Ohio, and thence to Wayne County, Indiana. It is universallydiffused through the eastern and central parts of Indiana, and is esteemed a first-rate apple. Thetreestrikingly resembles the Green Newtown Pippin, but its brush is not so small, and there is less of it, the top being rather more open. The wood is brittle, and, as the tree is a free and constant bearer, it tends to break, and is troublesome to keep in good order. Mr. Ernst and other gentlemen of Cincinnati suppose the variety to be theDetroit. We cannot say one thing or another, except that it is of the Bellflower family. The Detroit of New York is a widely different fruit, of a bright scarlet color, and we never heard of any otherDetroit, until the name was applied to this apple.
There is not the least doubt that theGolden Russetof the West is theBullock PippinandSheep-noseof New Jersey, and we hope that the proposed name “American Golden Russet” will deliver us, for ever after, from eating any moresheep-noses. Names are of importance in classifying fruits, and there is a pleasure also in having a decorous name to a good fruit. It is amusing to look through a catalogue of singular names.
TheHossapple is popularly theHorseapple, and when, on a certain contingency a gentleman promised to eat ahossit was not so hazardous a threat as some have imagined. The French, in naming their fruits, exercise a freedom with things human and divine, to which we occidentals are not accustomed (as,Ah Mon Dieu! Grosse Cuisse Madame, etc.), and an innocent person, recapitulating his pears, might, if overheard by neighbors understanding French, be thought very profane, or worse. There are other names which have a tendency to make the mouth water, asOnion Pear. One must have pleasing associations while eating theToad Pear. (See Prince’s Pom. Man.p.24 and 34.) The FrenchBon Chrétien(or Good Christian) is called in these parts theBon Cheat-em. Then, there is the Demoiselle, the Lady’s Flesh, and Love’s Pear (Prince, 58, 34,and 117)—very proper for young lovers. Then, there is theBurnt Cat(Chat Brusléof the French, Prince 89), which undoubtedly has a musk flavor. We have less objection to thePriest’s Pear(Poire de Prêtre, Prince, 108). Piscatory gentlemen would always angle in our nurseries for theTroutpear (Prince 130), and if they did not get a bite, the pearwould, as it is a fine variety. How did those who named pears,Louise Bonne de Jersey, orVan Mons leon le clerc, expect common folks to hold fast to the true name? But he must have a short memory indeed, who forgets the emphatic name ofYatorYut.
But to return from our digression. We give the description of the Golden Russet from three sources, and indorse their general accuracy:
GOLDEN RUSSET.—(DR. PLUMMER.)
“Size.—2 2-10 inches long; 2 7-10 inches wide.
“Form.—Rather smaller at the summit; moderately flattened at the ends.
“Pulp.—Very tender, juicy, yellowish white.
“Color.—Deep yellow, with brown and russet clouds; or wholly brown and russet.
“Surface.—Nearly dull; ruffled by the confluent lineoles; dots hardly discoverable.
“Flavor.—Sweet and delicious.
“Stem.—Slender; half to one inch long, reaching to a considerable distance beyond the verge.
“Eye.—In rather contracted cavity; closed.
“Ripens in the tenth month
“It is one of our best apples, and keeps well through the winter.”
“Whether the Leathercoat and the Glass apple are the same as are now known under those names, it is impossible to determine. Near Poughkeepsie, in the State of New York, the Leathercoat used to be a favorite fruit; andwhether it is the same as the Golden Russet, described above, I am not now able to say; but my recollection of that apple after a lapse of twenty-three years, induces me to think it is no other than the Golden Russet; and, indeed, Trevelyan calls it also the ‘russetappell.’ The Glass apple was described in a former number of ‘The Orchard.’ If the ‘lethercott’ has descended to us under the name of Golden Russet, the fine flavor of this apple would lead us to believe that it had not deteriorated, after a period of more than two centuries and a half.”—West. Farm. and Gard., 1843.
BULLOCK’s PIPPIN, OR SHEEP-NOSE.—(COXE.)
Golden Russet of Cincinnati. Golden Russet of the Eastern nurseries.—(Dr. Kirtland.)
“Neither the size nor appearance of this fruit would attract attention; yet it sells more readily in markets where it is known than any other apple. Its flavor is rich and pleasant, and many people consider it the best fruit of the season. In northern Ohio it matures at New-Year’s, while in Cincinnati it is in perfection in November.”—West. Farm. and Gard., 1841.
GOLDEN RUSSET—BULLOCK PIPPIN, OR SHEEP-NOSE.—(A. HAMPTON.)
“This apple is below medium size; the skin is yellow, inclined to a russet; the flesh yellow, rich, juicy, tender and sprightly. I know of no apple more generally admired for its richness and excellent flavor than this; commanding a high price, and ready sale, in market; it makes very rich cider; a great and constant bearer; and keeps well till spring.”—West. Farm. and Gard.Farm. and Gard., 1841.
We do not know another apple whoseflavorandfleshare so admirable. A gentleman in Ohio, on being asked for a list of a hundred trees for an orchard, replied, “set out ninety-nine Golden Russets, the other one you can choose for yourself.”
[13]Mr. Downing’s untimely end by drowning is well known.
[14]There is an English Golden Russet, distinct and quite acid.