APPLES

SPRING 2008 PRICING  - ALL APPLE NOW SOLD OUT FOR SPRING 2008- NOW TAKING ORDERS FOR FALL 2008

ONE YEAR APPLE WHIP     less than 5 whips- $ 25.00          5-9 whips -$20.00 EACH                                     10-99 whips -$17.50 EACH                 100  whips $15.00

CIDER APPLES $20.00 EACH

HISTORICAL APPLES      HISTORICAL APPLE NOTES

NEWTON'S APPLE    DISEASE RESISTANT     CRAB APPLES      RED FLESHED APPLES

CIDER APPLES          WINTER HARDY APPLES FOR COLD CANADIAN CLIMATES

DISTINCTLY  CANADIAN  APPLES

LINKS TO OTHER SITES OF INTEREST

Acorn - East Coast Organic Growers

Apple Luscious Organic Orchard   - British Columbia source for heirloom  and redfleshed apples , also Salt Spring Island Apple Festival Sept. 30 / 2007

Apple Journal  -  Apple photos , information, and related topics 

Tree-mendus - Apple photos and descriptions

Cummins Nursery  - trees for USA  (we ship within Canada only, no BC shipments)

www.bighorsecreekfarm.com - a nursery in North Carolina with an extensive list of heirloom apples for USA customers

www.nafex.org  The North American Fruit Explorers is an international group of fruit enthusiasts specializing in rare and heirloom varieties

www.midfex.org  Midwest fruit explorers 

www.brogdale.org  - large UK fruit repository,info and photos

www.keepers-nursery.co.uk    another informative UK site and photos 

www.orangepippin.com  UK apple site with photos and descriptions of rare varieties

Andrew Lea's Cider Page (UK)

Canadian Content Cider Links

Talisman Farm   Colorado USA Cider info and links

 ONE YEAR WHIPS ONLY

Select  at least two distinct varieties for the purpose of cross pollination.  A few varieties are triploids that do not produce viable pollen.  These should be planted with two non triploid varieties. Triploids are noted as such in the descriptions. The hardiest apples are grown on the Ottawa 3 rootstock, the remainder on M26.  Mature trees will average 10-12'  in height and should be spaced a minimum of 10' apart.  Many varieties will yield 2 bushels (80-100lbs) of fruit  at maturity (6-8yrs).  Fruiting begins often in year 2. A few varieties are offered on super dwarfing roots such as P22. These will grow to about 8' and are suitable for small locations and espalier.Varieties with a long ripening period are suited to those who wish to pick a few apples daily over a period of a week or two.  Early varieties (August) do not store long.  Be prepared to use them promptly.

             Belle de Boskoop , Blenheim Orange , Bulmers Norman (Cider) , Fallawater Holstein, Tompkins King, Rhode Island Greening, Shizuka  

  CODLING -    An immature or green apple, the time when the codling moth attacks the fruit. Used in reference to apples used when green, as in Keswick Codlin.

  CRAB – From the Norse word for crab apple – scrab , defined 1420

GILLIFLOWER- Given to apples that smell or taste like Gillyflower (pronounced ‘Jilly”), a garden plant of the genus Dianthus that has an aroma of cloves

NONPAREIL – From the French meaning “without an equal”.

PEARMAIN – From the French Parmanus, meaning “from Parma ( Northern Italy )”, defined 1597

PIPPIN – A seedling apple, from the old French pepin, meaning seed,defined 1432.

REINETTE- From the French Reine, Queen, given to a large group of French dessert apples, often highly flavored, and more often than not smallish, somewhat flat in shape, hard and good keepers.

RUSSET- The word means red, but here it refers to the texture of the apple, since it comes from “russet coat”, the dull red-brown rough wool coats of peasants. Rusty coat has the same origin.  

HISTORICAL APPLES 

Alexander -  Allington Pippin  - Ananas Reinette  - Baldwin    - Baxter  -  Belle de Boskoop   -   Ben Davis-  Black Gilliflower   -    Blenheim Orange    - Blue Pearmain    - Bottle Greening    -    Bramleys Seedling - Calville Blanc  -Cox Orange Pippin -   Crimson Beauty-        Duchess (Oldenburg)    -    Early Harvest   -  Egremont Russet - Golden Nugget -   Golden Reinette    - Golden Russet -   Gravenstein -  Grimes Golden - Hibernal - Hubbardston - Hudson's Golden Gem - Irish Peach - Jackson's Apple ( Chenango Strawberry)-  Jefferis - Kentish Fillbasket (Fillbarrel) - King of Tompkins County - Lady -  Lubsk Queen- Lyman's Large Summer- McIntosh 1st Generation - McMahon White - Maiden Blush - Margil- Melba - Milwaukee - Mother - Newtown Pippin ( Albemarle) - Non Pareil - Northern Spy   - Northwest Greening - Ontario - Peewaukee - Pomme Gris - Primate - Princess Louise -  Pumpkin Sweet -  Red Astrachan - Rhode Island Greening - Ribston Pippen - Rome Beauty -  Roxbury Russet - St. Edmund's Pippin- St. Lawrence -  Scarlet Pippen - Seek no Further - Shiawassee -  Smokehouse - Snow  (Fameuse) - Swayzie Russet- Sweet Bough - Tolman Sweet - Wagener - Wealthy - Wolf River - Yellow Bellflower  (Bishops Pippin)   - Yellow Transparent - York     

ALEXANDER ( Emperor Alexander)   Sold out until 2009     A Russian apple introduced to England likely in 1817 (reports vary on the year) and from England to the USA in the early 1800’s, along with many other Russian apples notably Yellow Transparent, Duchess and Red Astrachan, in an effort to find varieties with cold hardiness suitable for commercial production. The fruit is usually large with a tough thick skin, greenish with red and carmine stripes and splashing. Flesh is coarse, firm, crisp and tart/sweet. Does not store long, but ripens over a long picking window of several weeks. The tree is vigorous and early to bear. Quite winter hardy to at least Canada zone 4. A likely parent of Wolf River. Harvest in early October as a dessert also quite good as a culinary variety.     More on Alexander courtesy Apple Journal

BALDWIN (Woodpecker or Pecker)      Sold out until fall 2009    A monument was erected in Wilmington, near Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1895, to the Baldwin apple, with the following inscription: “This Pillar Erected in 1895 By The RUMFORD HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION Incorporated April 28, 1877  Marks the estate where in 1793 Samuel Thompson, Esq., while locating the line of the Middlesex Canal, discovered the first Pecker apple tree. Later named the BALDWIN”. ( From Bailey’s Cyclopedia, 1927, other sources claim it was discovered by John Ball in 1740, another claims it came from John Ball in 1784, in Wilmington, ). “Fruits of Ontario, 1906” states about the Baldwin apple “The Baldwin apple originated in the state of Massachusetts and has been for many years the most popular winter apple for either home or foreign markets”. Towards the end of WW1 several extreme winters killed off most of the Baldwin trees and orchards were replanted with the newly popular McIntosh, spelling the end of Baldwin as a popular variety. The fruit is often large with a yellow background shaded and splashed with crimson and red and spotted with russet dots. Flesh is yellowish white, tender, juicy, subacid yet spright and aromatic. Fine as a dessert apple and a good cooker, also good for freezing and drying. The tree is vigorous, upright and spreading and productive. Harvest late, stores well. Triploid variety. Zone 5.            BALDWIN PHOTO                       

BELLE de BOSKOOP          Reserve now for fall 2008    From Holland circa 1850, possibly from the variety Reinette de Montford arising as a bud sport. From the Ottolander family nursery at Boskoop, Holland.An outstanding dessert, culinary and storage apple that will improve and sweeten while in cold storage. Often large, greenish yellow flushed with red and light russeting. The flesh is acidic, lively, spright, crisp and aromatic. Slow to begin to bear but a decent cropper when mature. Triploid variety will not pollinate others. Harvest late, in October, stores well. Resistant to apple scab.  Boskoop photo courtesy Apple Journal 

BLENHEIM ORANGE     Reserve now for fall 2008    A very famous old apple in Britain originating in Woodstock, near Blenheim in Oxfordshire, England, 1740, near the residence of the Duke of Marlboro, and was well known through Europe and America by 1820-1840. “Fruits of Ontario 1906” states, “An apple that is constantly gaining in favor with both grower and consumer, because of its size, its beauty, its evenness of form and general excellence for cooking and dessert purposes.” An all purpose large variety yellowish with red and light russet covering. Crisp, sweet with light tartness, lightly spicy or nutty aftertaste. Triploid variety will not pollinate others. Vigorous, harvest October.  Photo and more 

BLUE PEARMAIN    Reserve now for fall 2008     An antique apple of unknown origin, likely from the New England states early 1800’s. Popular in Britain in the mid 1800’s, likely as a result of fruit and trees being shipped there from America, although the possibility exists that it has its origins in Britain. The fruit is usually large, slightly conical, a dull yellow splashed and striped with dark purple, may be solid dark reddish/purple in full sun, has a conspicuous blue bloom ( a powdery substance on the fruit), flesh is yellowish, firm, mildly acid, rich and aromatic, skin is somewhat tough. Tree is vigorous but a shy bearer. All purpose, good in cider. Like Golden Russet it may shrivel in storage yet retain good flavor; do not pick until it is ripe and provide storage humidity to help prevent shriveling. Pick October, hardy in Canada zone 5/4.       More on Blue Pearmain                                

BOTTLE GREENING       Reserve now for fall 2008        A chance seedling discovered growing near the border of New York and Vermont in the early 1800’s.  Work gangs in the area were accustom to stashing their bottles in the hollow trunk of the original tree, which became known as the Bottle Tree, and later the Bottle Greening. A good dessert apple and excellent for cooking and cider, it was never widely grown commercially as it bruises fairly easily thus was not desirable for shipping. The fruit is medium large in size, slightly conical, yellowish green with red on the sunny side, skin is tough. Flesh is greenish white, tender, juicy, melting, subacid. Tree is vigorous, productive, and fairly winter hardy to zone 4. Pick October, stores fairly well. A good example of an antique apple that did have merits worthy of commercial production, but remains highly desirable in the home garden. Fairly winter hardy,zone 4  

BRAMLEY’S SEEDLING          Sold out until 2009          Another of the most famous of British apples, prized as one of the best pie apples ever, just ask an Englishman! This one is said to have originated with Mary Anne Brailsford in Nottinghamshire , England and introduced in 1865 by a later owner of the property, Mr. Bramley. The fruit is large, greenish yellow with reddish brown striping. The flesh is firm, juicy and sharply acid, high vitamin C content. The tree is vigorous and spreading, resistant to apple scab, and is a triploid type that will not pollinate others. Tender in our area and needs a sheltered microclimate, zone 5. Also makes a terrific addition to a blended cider. Harvest October.   

CALVILLE  BLANC  D’HIVER (WHITE  WINTER  CALVILLE)      Sold out until fall 2009      The classic French dessert apple dating back to the 1500’s, growing at Orleans in the gardens of Louis XIII in 1627. Large, somewhat flattish shape with ribbing, pale green often with red dotting on the sunny side. Afterripens to yellow in storage where it develops maximum flavor. Very high vitamin C, as much as an orange, effervescent taste. Harvest late, in October, stores well, excellent as a dessert apple, for cider, cider vinegar, and culinary use. Zone 5    

CANADA  BALDWIN Reserve now for fall 2008 

CANADA  RED      Reserve now for fall 2008     The fruit is medium to large in size, mostly uniform.  An apple of disputed heritage, likely first grown in New England and brought from Toronto, Ontario into western New York state where it was raised commercially as Canada Red. Described as being of good quality for a mid winter apple in ‘FRUITS OF ONTARIO, 1906’.  Skin is yellow background covered with deep red blush and darker red striping. Flesh is whitish with green or yellow tinting, firm, crisp, juicy an fine grained. Late fall harvest.  

    COX ORANGE PIPPIN        Sold out until fall 2009   The most famous of the old English apples, known throughout the world for its excellent eating qualities, unfortunately tender and cannot survive in the colder growing districts. It originated with Richard Cox , ( 1777-1845) at Colnbrook Lawn, England around the 1820’s, from the probable parents Ribston Pippin and Blenheim Orange. The taste has been described as spicy, honeyed, nutty, rich full flavored, sweet/tart, one of the best of dessert apples. The skin is yellowish covered with a reddish orange flush ripening to a mostly orange color, sporadically russetted, medium size. Cox Orange has been used widely as a parent in breeding programs to produce many excellent new varieties, such as Gala of which it is a grandparent. Tender, zone 5 in protected microclimates only, harvest October.                For a more complete story on Cox Orange Pippin, visit http://www.england-in-particular.info/cox.html                                       

COX ORANGE APPLE - See also  , Kent

KENT         A Cox Orange type ( Cox Orange Pippin x Jonathan) from the East Malling Research Station in England 1960’s.   M26 semidwarf rootstock, not available until fall 2008 

  CRANBERRY  PIPPIN    Reserve now for fall 2008     A cooking apple of extreme beauty with white juicy subacid flesh. Medium to large size, oblate, yellow background shaded and striped with two shades of red. The tree is very vigorous, spreading and productive, Zone 5, harvest October. Discovered as a chance seedling on a farm near Hudson, New York.

DUCHESS (of Oldenburg)        Reserve now for fall 2008             One of the pioneer Russian apples to America via England. It was known in Russia in the 1600’s or early 1700’s, reportedly introduced to England by the Royal Horicultural Society in 1824, and into America by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society in 1835. Valued for its extreme winter hardiness (Canada zone 4 possibly 3). A cooking apple that makes some of the best early season pies as it ripens in August here. The fruit is medium to sometimes large, greenish yellow with red splashing and striping, flesh is greenish to yellowish white at maturity, firm, brisk, acidic. Must be harvested before it becomes overripe or it will be mealy. May have some disease resistance.       Duchess photo courtesy Apple Journal   

 DUDLEY WINTER ( NORTHSTAR )      Sold out until 2009     A winter hardy heirloom apple from Maine streaked and splashed with deep lively red, yellow subacid flesh with a pleasant flavor. Ripens with Wealthy, early September. Tree is vigorous and productive.   more and photo           

EGREMONT RUSSET            Sold out until 2009         An old English russet known in 1872. Sweet, rich, somewhat nutty taste, firm, somewhat dry; flavor changes and becomes more complex in storage. One of the best of the russets, darker than most and often with black markings. Stores well, and is likely the most winter hardy of the russets, zone 4, resistant to apple scab, tree is upright and moderately vigorous and a good cropper. Harvest October       

GOLDEN NUGGET             Reserve now for fall 2008    From Nova Scotia, 1932, a cross of Cox Orange x Golden Russet, that combines the rich flavor of its parents. Small in size, yellowish russet streaked and splashed with orange. Sweet, sugary with a hint of tang, all purpose, great for fresh eating, pies, sauce, cider and apple butter, does not keep long. May exhibit some resistance to apple scab. Zone 5, harvest early October. 

GOLDEN REINETTE   Reserve now for fall 2008    An old European variety, known in the 1700’s, possibly earlier. An small attractive apple, greenish golden yellow often with a blush of orangey red and russet spots, with a spright sweet/tart, fruity  taste similar to Blenheim Orange. Excellent for dessert, also cider, may have some resistance to apple scab. Harvest October.

GOLDEN RUSSET   Sold out until 2009   The most famous of the russets; when most speak of russets they mean this one and are often unaware of the others in the large russet family. This is of American origin, a seedling of English Russet, known in the 1800’s and likely earlier, possibly originating in Burlington County, New Jersey in the 1700’s. One of the latest to fully tree ripen in October, notable for its storage ability. It can keep all winter in cold storage. It may shrivel in storage yet retain good flavor. The mistake is often made in harvesting Golden Russet too early; it must be left to hang on the tree almost as late as possible, and provided with humidity in storage to prevent breakdown and shriveling. Excellent for eating and prized as a cider variety, known to produce a hard cider of up to 7% alcohol due to its high sugar content (hic!); also good for drying. The skin is the typical russet, a  greenish yellow background with a covering of bronze / copper/ orange coloring. The flesh is fine grained, crisp and sugary. Some resistance to apple scab.  

GOLDEN  SWEET  Reserve now for fall 2008          One of the sweetest apples with little or no acid to balance the sweetness. Described as eating a spoon of honey. Ripens early to early mid-season, smooth thin waxy yellow skin. Golden Sweet is an old historical variety from Connecticut, early 1830’s, once popular in the south. Great for an apple sauce without sugar.   

 GRAVENSTEIN            Sold out until 2009        A historical apple with perhaps the most disputed origins of all the antique European varieties; everyone wants to claim it! From Germany to Russia to Denmark and elsewhere, all say the Gravensteiner came from their country. Introduced to America in the 1820’s by Russian settlers in California. Prized as one of the best pie and sauce early season apples, ripening in early September here. A tender variety, it needs a sheltered microclimate to survive winter in Canada zone 5, popular on the east coast of Canada. We are currently testing various strains of Gravenstein from Norway to hopefully find one that is more winter hardy for our area. A bright yellow skin is overlaid with a pink/orange flush and light red striping. Flesh is creamy yellow and tender, crisp when not overripe, juicy and aromatic, does not keep. Triploid type will not pollinate others.                         Gravenstein photo courtesy Apple Journal

GREENSWEET            Reserve now for fall 2008  

GRIMES GOLDEN             Reserve now for fall 2008          One of the finest American apples for fresh eating and for producing a potent hard cider, although it does not cook well. Discovered by Thomas Grimes between 1790 and 1804 in Brooke County , West Virginia , near the site of the John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed) nursery. Believed to be one of the parents of Golden Delicious, which superseded Grimes Golden commercially due to its larger size, cleaner appearance and therefore better consumer acceptance, relegating Grimes Golden to the historical bin. A granite monument stands at the site of the original tree. The fruit is small if not thinned as it tends to overcrop, has a tough yellow skin often patched with russet. The flesh is yellowish orange, highly flavored, spicy sweet, tender, crisp, juicy, aromatic. Ripens in October and stores well. Zone 5.  

 HUBBARDSTON NONESUCH        Reserve now for fall 2008              From Hubbardston, Masachusetts, in the early 1800’s. The fruit is medium to large with a smooth yellow skin, a reddish blush and dark red striping; yellow aromatic flesh that is tender, juicy, sweet, rich and subacid, hard and crisp, a little spright at first ripening to sweet. Excellent as a dessert variety, not so good for cooking.The tree is quite hardy and does well in zone 4, productive, precocious, and vigorous. Harvest October. 

HUDSON’S GOLDEN GEM          Reserve now for fall 2008              A  disease resistant, large russet variety of excellent quality found in a fence row growing wild at Hudson Nursery, Tangent, Oregon, 1931. Crisp, sugary, light yellow flesh, somewhat nutty flavor almost pear-like at maturity; smooth russet skin, conical and elongated. Harvest late September. 

 IRISH PEACH (Early Crofton)       Reserve now for fall 2008        An old Irish variety known in the early 1800’s, possibly from Eire in 1820, likely has Yellow Transparent in its parentage. Early to ripen in August, small, greenish/ yellow, tart/tangy lightly sweetened, brisk, good eaten off the tree at first also pies and sauce. Tip bearer, do not prune back side branches.  Reportedly quite winter hardy having survived -40. Zone 4   

JACKSON ’S APPLE (CHENANGO STRAWBERRY)       Sold out until 2009   An elongated porcelain skinned small to medium sized apple. Harvest must take place just as the fruit begins to ripen, as it turns milky white, may have a pink blush becoming more pronounced as it ripens. When picked at the right time flavor is unique and fruity, early September at Siloam Orchards. From New York , known since at least 1850. Zone 5.   Chenango Strawberry photo courtesy Apple Journal      

 JEFFERIS            Reserve now for fall 2008          From the farm of Issac Jefferis of Chester County, Pennsylvania in the 1840’s. Its long harvest window makes this a desirable variety for home orchardsists wishing to pick a few ripe ones daily. Small to medium size, dark orangey red. The flesh is yellowish white, tender, crisp and very juicy, pear-like. The tree is productive and may have disease resistance. Mid season harvest in September. The Jefferis apple was awarded the “Premium” by the Pennsylvania Horiculture Society as the best seedling exhibited. In 1888, noted U.S. pomologist Dr. H.E. Van Deman said “ If I should be asked to select the choicest early autumn apple known to me, I should say the Jefferis”.  

KANDIL SINAP       Available spring 2008     One of the most uniquely shaped apples, an extremely  narrow elongated form, from the Crimea or Turkey area( Kandil is candle in Turkish, for the shape), known in the 1800's but very possibly much older. Creamy white/yellow skin is blushed pinkish red. Zone 5

 KING OF TOMPKINS COUNTY     Reserve now for fall 2008     Attributed to Thomas Thacker of Warren County, New Jersey prior to 1800 of unknown parentage, and brought to Tompkins County, New York by Jacob Wycoff in 1804, who called it King, and named King of Tompkins County about 1855. A large apple, yellow background overlaid with red striping and flushing, flattish, oblate shape; yellow flesh that is somewhat sweet, rich and pleasant,juicy. An all purpose variety that stores fairly well and makes a flavorful addition to juice or cider. Triploid type will not pollinate others. Harvest in October. The tree is vigorous, spreading and productive.  

LADY (Api)     Reserve now for fall 2008             A small apple rich in history from the 1600’s in France. Thought to have been discovered in the Forest of Apis, Brittany, France, and was recorded in 1628, possibly the Appian apple of the Roman Empire. It was grown in the gardens of Louis XIV, and eaten by the ladies of the aristocracy as it would fit in their small delicate hands. Small, flattish with a shiny skin of creamy yellow, deep glossy crimson on the sunny side, very attractive; tender flesh that is white, crisp, juicy, effervescent. All purpose, good in cider, ripens very late, in October or later, stores well, only for areas that have a season long enough to ripen it. Often used in Christmas wreaths and decorations.  

LANARK GREENING          Reserve now for fall 2008 

 LUBSK QUEEN        Sold out until 2009           Displayed at the Columbia Exposition in 1893 and received the comments “ the most remarkable combination of brilliant pink and white and pruinose color of which the eye can conceive”. Glistening white porcelain skin splashed or blushed with the brightest pink and rosy red. Flesh is snow white, firm, juicy and brisk, tart to most tastes. Also good for baking. Unlike many early apples , it does not tend to become overripe and mealy on the tree. Keeps well for an early variety, harvested in late August. Lubsk Queen was one of some 350 Russian apples brought to the U.S. by Prof. J.L. Budd of the Iowa State Agricultural College and Charles Gibb of Quebec between 1879 an 1885 in an effort to locate quality fruit for the harsh northern climates.     

LYMANS LARGE SUMMER          Sold out until 2009        Magnificent large green apple,sometimes yellow, one of the best of the early summer apples. Though an early type it has”the breaking,crisp juicy flesh and clean pure flavor, blending sweet and sub acid, of the finest winter apples.Described as Large Yellow Summer in William Kendricks “New American Orchardist” in 1844. This variety was once thought lost but reappeared in 1941. 

  McINTOSH 1^st GENERATION     Reserve now for fall 2008    The most commercially important Canadian apple ever grown and one of the worlds most prominent varieties, particularly in North America. Over the years, as is the case with Delicious, the search has been on for redder or more commercially viable sports, as appearance is the main concern for todays growers and the consumer. As a result, the variety has been watered down, and does not have the exact appearance and flavor of the original. Taste the original “Hawkeye” and todays Delicious and you will find quite a difference. The 1^st  Generation is a direct descendant of  the original tree found growing on the farm of John McIntosh, Dundela, Dundas County, Ontario. Its parents are almost surely Snow and possibly St. Lawrence. A monument commemorates the tree: “ THE ORIGINAL McINTOSH RED APPLE TREE stood about 20 rods north of this spot. It was one of a number of  seedlings taken from the border of the clearings and transplanted by John McIntosh in the year 1796. Erected by Popular Subscription 1912”. (LH Bailey,1927) Ripens mid September, does not store as well as many, the best quality is from tree ripened fruit used fairly soon after after harvest. Zone 4.   

            The history is that John McIntosh came to Canada with the United Empire Loyalists. After spending some time along the frontier, he settled on his homestead in the county of Dundas in 1790 at a place later called McIntosh’s Corners, although that place has now become extinct, and Dundela has taken its place. In the year 1796 while clearing some land, he came upon a clump of young apple trees, about twenty in number. As apples were at that time a luxury, the apple trees were left unharmed, and a few days after were replanted in a clearing nearer his house. Most of the trees thrived for a few years but finally died. In 1830, only one tree out of the twenty remained. As this apple was unnamed, Mr. McIntosh combined his own name with the color of the apple and christened it “ McIntosh Red”. From the time it was transplanted, it grew rapidly and in a few years bore an abundance of fruit the color and flavor of which attracted the attention of the earlier settlers. It was situated about fifteen feet from the house, and when in 1893 the house was burned, the tree also received its share of the fire and one side was badly burned. Nevertheless, the other side continued to bear until 1908. That summer the leaves began to wilt and the apples to fall off until it was entirely bare. Thus the old tree which had withstood the storm of 112 years was forced at last to submit to the injuries received from the fire of 1893. The wide circulation of the McIntosh apple is due to his son, the late Allen McIntosh, who, fully appreciating the fruit, wished others to enjoy it also and started propagating by grafting and budding from the original tree. This has been repeated year after year since 1836. (From LH Bailey's "Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture, 1927)

McMAHON (McMAHON WHITE)     Sold out until 2009   A very winter hardy variety from seed of Alexander, planted about 1860 by A.L. Hatch of Ithaca, Wisconsin. The tree is vigorous and productive. An excellent cooker, fair for dessert, white flesh that is coarse grained, tender, juicy and subacid. The fruit is large, uniform shape, slightly conical, skin is light yellow becoming white at maturity possibly blushed with red. Harvest October. Zone 4 , likely will succeed in Canada zone 3.      

MACOUN   Reserve now for fall 2008    A McIntosh type apple with more flavor, ripens just after Mac at Siloam Orchards early October. A cross of McIntosh and Jersey Black from the New York State Experimental Station at Geneva NY, !930.   

MAIDEN BLUSH          Sold out until 2009         A beautiful late summer variety, lemon yellow with a crimson blush, not be confused with a rare Irish apple of the same name. The American Maiden Blush was popularized by Samuel Allinson of Burlington, New Jersey, and noted in 1817 as being “popular in the Philadelphia market”. The flesh is white/slightly yellow, crisp, tender, sharply acid at first mellowing as it ripens. For eating and cooking, also one of the best for drying as it remains white and bright.    Maiden Blush photo  

MELBA      Sold out until 2009   First grown by W.T. Macoun at the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa, Canada, in 1898 and introduced in 1924, a cross of McIntosh and Liveland (Lowland) Raspberry. A summer apple ripening in mid August, attractive coloring of background yellow washed with pinkish crimson, bruises easily. Sweetly subacid, tender, juicy. Winner of the American Pomological Society silver medal in 1898. Very winter hardy, due to having the extremely hardy Liveland Raspberry in its parentage. Easily survives in zone 4.           

MILWAUKEE           Sold out until 2009         Raised by George Jeffrey of Milwaukee , Wisconsin , a seedling of Duchess. Primarily a cooking apple for cold regions, also good eaten off  the tree if not overripe, slightly tart and acidic as are most good pie apples. The tree is moderately vigorous and spreading, productive; the fruit is usually large, yellowish green blushed and streaked with bright red and crimson. Canada zone 4 at least.                   

    Newtons Apple (Flower of Kent)     Available for custom budding 

      In 1665, Sir Isaac Newton was residing at Woolsthorpe Manor in Lincolnshire, England. It was here that ,as the story goes, an apple fell out of a tree and bonked him on the head. Scholars are skeptical as to whether or not he was actually beaned by the apple,but agree that by observing a falling fruit, the mathematician realized that the  power of gravity was not confined to Earth, and must extend to the planets and even the universe.        Cuttings from Woolsthorpe’s orchard were passed on to the National Fruit Research Station in East Malling , Kent,where they have  been used to grow trees that have provided buds for descendants.        Dr. Prince of York University, Toronto, began a quest to procure the Flower of Kent apple tree for the campus in 1990. After several unsuccessful attempts, botany professor Michael Boyer approached Siloam Orchards to propagate the tree for them. It is now growing at the University and at this site.  York University Newtons Apple               

NEWTOWN  PIPPIN  ( ALBEMARLE)       Reserve now for fall 2008          One of the most famous of the American historical varieties, originating circa 1700 near the village of Newtown on Long Island, New York. Grown widely in the eastern USA by the end of the 18^th century by many including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. An excellent keeper with crisp , firm, juicy flesh and distinctive taste.  

 NON PAREIL        Reserve now for fall 2008       One of the oldest apple varieties in our collection, dating back to 1600’s in England. Terrific flavor, a small variety colored greenish yellow ripening to orange and russeted. Harvest late, in Oct.zone 5   

NORTHERN SPY  Reserve now for fall 2008  A famous old variety known for years as one of the best pie apples of the season, also enjoyed as a dessert apple by many. The first seedlings may have been grown in Connecticut     circa 1800, brought to New York and raised by Heman Chapin in East Bloomfield . Mr. Chapin is also responsible for the Melon and Early Joe varieties, and a four foot high monument was erected to honor him and his apples, at Bloomfield by the Ontario County Fruit-Growers Society in early 1900. “THE ORIGINAL NORTHERN SPY APPLE TREE stood about 14 rods south of this spot, in a seedling orchard planted by Heman Chapin about 1800. The Early Joe and Melon apples also originated in this orchard”. FRUITS OF ONTARIO 1906, reports “ In Chicago, Canadian Spys are more sought for than any other variety, but owing to tenderness of the skin, which shows the slightest bruise, it is less popular for export to Great Britain than some other varieties”. The Northern Spy is notorious for being late to begin to bear fruit, on old standard rootstocks it was not uncommon to wait 15 years for the first blossoms. The availability of dwarfing rootstocks has reduced this waiting time considerably, but it may still be behind your other varieties. The fruit is large, sound fruit stores well, harvest in October, not hardy, zone 5. Late season bloomer. Very vigorous.      See also Sandow under disease resistant apples, for a winter hardy Spy

  NORTHWEST GREENING      Sold out until 2009         Alexander x Golden Russet , Wisconsin, 1872 E.W. Daniels.Large green for pies or fresh stores well and quite hardy , as hardy as Wealthy. Late Sept?

ONTARIO       Sold out until fall 2009          Introduced by Charles Arnold of Paris Ontario, and offspring of Northern Spy x Wagener, in 1820. Large fruit, colored yellowish with splashes of bright red and carmine; whitish yellow juicy flesh, spright, aromatic, fine grained. All purpose, good in pies as it holds its shape when cooked, good in cider. Bears young, zone 5, stores well, very productive. Moderately vigorous, somewhat spreading, harvest October.  

  PATTEN GREENING                   Sold out until 2009   From Iowa mid 1800’s very hardy, large, skin  pale yellow with pale green traces and pink blush; flesh yellow somewhat juicy subacid, pleasant, good quality,  hardier than Wealthy for the north.

PEEWAUKEE      Reserve now for fall 2008   A cross of Northern Spy x Duchess by George P. Peffer of Peewaukee, Wisconsin in the mid 1800’s. Okay for fresh eating, excellent cooking apple and fairly hardy, survives well in zone 4. The fruit is medium  to often large in size, has a thin greenish yellow skin mottled orange red and striped carmine; flesh is whitish, very juicy, coarse and firm. Late to ripen, a good keeper.  

POMME GRIS (Leathercoat or French Russet)  Reserve now for fall 2008    The history of this one is unclear, but it was most likely grown in Europe as early as the 1600’s as Reinette Grise, brought to the St. Lawrence valley by migrant French and grown as Pomme Gris. Confusion also exists between this and Swayzie Russet or Swayzie Pomme Gris, which are distinct varieties. An excellent cider and dessert russet, pear-like richness, slightly tart sweetness, nutty. Tough greenish yellow skin entirely covered with a brown russet, similar appearance to Golden Russet. Grown by Thomas Jefferson at Monticello. Ripens September. Tree is upright in growth and productive.      

 PRIMATE          Reserve now for fall 2008   Introduced 1840 by Calvin D. Bingham of Camillus,New York,unknown parentage. Green skin,may be whitish or lightly blushed. Tender, fine textured, juicy flesh, sweet-tart may be reminiscent of wine, great dessert apple, all purpose, harvest mid to late August, fairly winter hardy , zone 4. In the 1800’s a  highly regarded dessert apple for the summer season, still regarded highly by the few that grow it. Tree is very vigorous, productive, symmetrical. Long harvest window. The “Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture, published 1927, states “ The first tablet in New York state in memory of any apple was erected in the town of Camillus, Onondaga County, on the original site of the Primate apple tree (Fig. 263). John T. Roberts, Syracuse, N.Y., on September 11, 1903, caused a bronze tablet to be erected there. On this tablet is the following inscription: On this farm Calvin D. Bingham, about 1840, produced the marvelous PRIMATE  APPLE Named by Charles P. Cowles     GOD’S EARTH IS FULL OF LOVE TO MAN 

PRINCESS LOUISE        Reserve now for fall 2008     originated at Maplehurst near Grimsby Ontario as a chance seedling of Snow. The text Fruits of Ontario 1906 states “Samples were first exhibited by Mr. L. Woolverton at a meeting of the Ontario Fruit Growers Association at Hamilton, where it was given the name Princess Louise, after Her Royal Highness, wife of the then Governor-General, His Excellency the Marquis of Lorne.” A greenish or yellow apple becoming prominently covered with lively red or pinkish blush and stripes. Flesh is pleasantly mild, crisp and juicy, good dessert apple only average for cooking. Flesh is pure white like its parent the Snow apple. Reasonably winter hardy to zone 4, harvest early September. Her full name was Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, and had the Canadian province of Alberta as well as the famous tourist attraction Lake Louise, Alberta, named for her. For more on her story, click on MORE ABOUT PRINCESS LOUISE CAROLINE ALBERTA           

PUMPKIN (POUND) SWEET     Reserve now for fall 2008   Named for its large size and color, from the orchards of S. Lyman of Manchester, Connecticut, in the early 1800’s. Primarily a cooking apple that was once very popular in the south. Excellent for baking, canning, baked apple, pies and sauce, apple butter, and okay fresh if not overripe. Plantings were made in Ohio in the days of the Civil War specifically for the production o apple butter. Large to very large with a tough clear yellow skin that may occasionally have a reddish orange blush in the sun. The flesh is very sweet, juicy and firm. Ripens in early October. The tree is vigorous and highly productive. Zone 5.

            The text FRUITS OF ONTARIO 1906 reports " one of the staple export varieties in many parts of southern Ontario because of  it's long keeping qualities. It resists scab well"           The flavor is tart-sweet, spright with greenish-white flesh, juicy, for eating, cooking, storage. Fruit is flattened, rough russet appearance. Tree is fairly vigorous, may  have some disease resistance. Roxbury Russet should be used out of storage prior to Golden Russet.                Harvest of Roxbury Russet at Siloam Orchards takes place in early October. To reserve a sample for tasting call ahead of time  (September ) and we'll put a few away for you.

RUSSET APPLES - See  Egremont Russet, Golden Nugget, Golden Russet, Hudson's Golden Gem, Knobby Russet, Pomme Gris,  Roxbury Russet, St. Edmunds Russet, Swayzie Russet, 

ST. LAWRENCE             Reserve now for fall 2008              A  popular Ontario variety in the 1800’s, from the Montreal area pre 1835, likely a seedling of Snow ( Fameuse ). Renowned in it’s time for pies and preserves, tart, rarely found today. Harvest early Sept. Use promptly , breaks down quickly after harvest.  

SALOME   Sold out until 2009  A winter hardy variety for the north that stores very well and is resistant to apple scab disease. The fruit is medium sized, yellowish flesh with a pleasant sub acid flavor, becomes more juicy and flavorful in storage. All purpose, eating or cooking. It is harvested green but ripens in storage to bright red with darker red striping over a yellowish background. The tree is a slow grower but bears young and annually, productive. Harvest late, in October. Zone 4 at least, possibly zone 3. Originated with E.C. Hathaway of Ottawa, Illinois prior around 1853, who exhibited Salome in 1878 before the Illinois State Horticultural Society.     Grown on Ottawa 3 rootstock

  SEEK-no-FURTHER (WESTFIELD)        Reserve now for fall 2008          known at Westfield, Connecticut in 1796, but older. The fruit is medium sized and conic in shape with a greenish yellow skin that is flushed with orange and striped carmine, sometimes with light russet  patches. The flesh is yellowish white, crisp, tender and juicy, mildly astringent, with a distinctive aroma and taste. Usually a bluish bloom (powdery substance) covers the ripe fruit like Blue Pearmain. Tree is vigorous, hardy in zone 5, the fruit will hang on the tree until overripe. Good as a dessert apple and for cider, not a good cooking variety. Harvest October. 

 SMOKEHOUSE              From the farm of William Gibbons near Millcreek, Pennsylvania in the early 1800’s, more widely known by 1840, likely a seedling of Vandevere. First grown near the smokehouse on his farm, hence the name. Large fruit, conic in shape, greenish yellow flushed and striped red and carmine with russet dotting. Yellowish white flesh that is crisp, tender, subacid. All purpose, ripens in September.        Smokehouse photo courtesy Applejournal  

 SNOW (FAMEUSE)   Named for its snow white flesh, this heritage variety first grew in southern Quebec along the St. Lawrence River, from seeds brought from France in the early 1700’s or earlier. Most likely one of the parents of McIntosh.  Snow ripens in early October and has a distinctive taste and texture, all purpose. Zone 5. see also Shiawassee, Princess Louise, Scarlet Pippin.       Snow Photo  courtesy Apple Journal    -not available at this time 

 SPITZENBURG (ESOPUS)           Reserve now for fall 2008           One of Thomas Jeffersons favorites, grown at Monticello. From Esopus, Ulster County, New York mid 1700’s, planted at Monticello in 1790. The fruit has a yellow flesh that is juicy, spright and richly flavored, hard, oblong shaped, colored lively brilliant red/scarlet, improves in storage when picked just prior to becoming fully tree ripe and stores well in this condition. Zone 5, harvest Oct.    Spitzenburg photo courtesy Apple Journal