Fruit Varieties and Horticultural Digest (J Fruit Var & Hort Digest)
Volume 25 Number 4 Article 9 Pages: 93-93
Year 1971 Month 10
Title: Old Apple Varieties That Have Survived
Author: B. Luce Citation
Abstract:
The 'McIntosh' appears to have survived
as a major variety for some time
yet.
Not too long ago it was frequently
mentioned that the Northeast needed
a variety to replace Macs.
It had
many faults-scab, preharvest drop,
and quality was poor after long storage.
But thanks to new chemicals and
CA storage, the 'McIntosh' is still holding
its place in the apple variety picture.
New red strains and the discovery
of spur types has just about assured
its place in the sun.
It was in 1796 that John McIntosh
discovered the seedling that later became
the favorite apple of Canada
and Northeastern U.S. The original
tree lived to be over 100 years old and
was named 'McIntosh Red' in 1836.
'McIntosh' is the parent of many varieties
that are today recognized in the
commercial lists of many countries.
They include 'Melba', 'Spartan', 'Cortland',
'Macoun', 'Puritan' and 'Tydman's
Red'.
Not too many of the century old
apple varieties are included in the
commercial lists today. 'Blue Pearmain',
'Ben Davis', 'Baldwin', 'Roxbury'
and 'Yellow Bellflower' are just about
forgotten; but others that have been
around for more than 150 years are
still grown in commercial quantities.
It is interesting that two varieties
that have gone past the 200 year mark
are green apples - 'Rhode Island
Greening' and 'Newtown'. The 'Golden
Russet', also well over the two and a
quarter century mark, is still grown
commercially in Nova Scotia, Canada.
Of the 'Spitzenburg' type apples that
were at one time very popular in this
country, the 'Jonathan', which remains
the lone surviver, will soon reach the
150 year mark. 'Northern Spy' is another
variety that has been with us
since the early 1800's and still holds
a small place in the commercial field
today.
