SOME GOOD EARLY APPLES

New Zealand Mail, 5 February 1902, Page 58

SOME GOOD EARLY APPLES

"^j lo gatherings of fruit or garden produce of almost any kind are, as a rule, eagerly welcomed, while, when grown for sale, the early consignments almost invariably nieet with a brisk demand, and realise good prices. To this apples are no exception, and barring some of the latter kinds, and a few extra fine samples of spine of the mid-season or main crop varieties. which occasionally sell well, certain of the early-fruiting apples usually prove more profitable than any others. They are also, as a class, exceedingly productive, while in some cases the fruit is also remarkably pretty, though with few exceptions, they are inferior in point of flavour to some of the later kinds. Again, they do not usually keep for any length of time, and as a rule should be used, or disposed of as soon as possible ' after being gathered. Qne of the most popular of all the early apples is the Red or Devonshire Quarrenden. This is a mediumsized but very handsome variety, the fruit being remarkably round and smooth, and of a deep rirm red or crimson colour, which even ext and s into the flesli of the fruit, staining it often to a considerable dtXitli. The flavour is sweet and rirtli, particularly for an early apple, while the j flesh is soft and mellow. Un account of both its beautiful colour and excellent qualities in other respects, this fine apple is greatly prized, and has recently realised more than double the price of any other variety. This apple is reputedly of a somewhat tender constitution, and certainly thrives best on a warm soil and in a sheltered position, but we have had it remarkably fine on a heavy clay soil in one of the Midland counties.

The earliest of all to ripen is Mr Gladstone, also known as Jackson's Seed'ing, a small but richly-coloured variety (.Ted and yellow striped), ripening towards rhe end of July, or early in August. The flavour is good for an early apple, and tho tree is very productive, especiallv oil lire Paradise stock.

The Irish Peach, or Early Crofton, is another excellent early dessert varietv, ripening in August. The fruit is small, but possesses a rich aromatic flavour, with soft flesh. It is best eaten direct from the tree, and as a rule is exceedingly prolific.

Beauty of Bath is yet another capital dessert variety, with medium-sized 'ruit of a bright red colour, and a brisk flavour. This makes a good market apple. Later come the Kerry Pippin, Lady Sudeley, and Worcester Pearmain, all highly-coloured and very prolific varieties, and excellent for market purposes. The Ingestre, or Summer Golden Pippin, is also a very pretty and popular kind. Of the culinary varieties, the best among the early varieties are the old Keswick Codlin, the Manx Codlin, Duchess of Aldenburgh (very handsome), Lord Suffield, Lord Grosvenor, Pott’s Seedling Cellini, and, a little later, Eclilinville, Grenadier and Stirling Castle.