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|image_caption=Apple tree (''Malus domestica'')

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Apple. Rosaceae. The fruit and tree of Pyrus Malus, one of the rosaceous group. The name is also applied, with qualifications, to many other edible fruits, as may- apple, pond-apple, rose-apple.

Apple. Rosaceae. The fruit and tree of Pyrus Malus, one of the rosaceous group. The name is also applied, with qualifications, to many other edible fruits, as may- apple, pond-apple, rose-apple.

The apple is native to southwestern Asia and adjacent Europe. It has been cultivated from time immemorial. Charred remains of the fruit are found in the prehistoric lake dwellings of Switzerland. Now widely cultivated and immensely variable, the apple is grown in every temperate climate, and is probably the most important commercial pomological fruit.

The apple is native to southwestern Asia and adjacent Europe. It has been cultivated from time immemorial. Charred remains of the fruit are found in the prehistoric lake dwellings of Switzerland. Now widely cultivated and immensely variable, the apple is grown in every temperate climate, and is probably the most important commercial pomological fruit.

The apple has come apparently from two original stems. All the common apples are modifications of Pyrus Malus (see Pyrus), a low round-headed tree, with thick and fuzzy irregularly dent ate, short - stemmed leaves and fairly compact clusters of woolly-stemmed flowers. The crab-apples are derived chiefly from Pyrus baccata, commonly known as the Siberian crab. This species is probably of more northern or eastern origin than the other. It is of smoother and more wiry growth, with narrower and thinner essentially glabrous long-stemmed leaves, and more open clusters of glabrous-stemmed flowers. The apple is small and hard, and the calyx-lobes fall at maturity, leaving the eye or basin of the fruit smooth and plain. Hybrids between these species apparently have given the race of large-fruited crab-apples, of which the Transcendent and Hyslop are examples. The race known to botanists as Pyrus prunifolia is probably a hybrid group. Certain apples are native to North America. Two species, Pyrus ioensis and P. coronaria, are of interest to the pomologist. The former is the prairie-states crab, and is the more promising. In characters of growth, leaves and flowers, it bears a striking resemblance to forms of Pyrus Malus. The fruit is spherical or spherical-oblong, short-stemmed, very hard, and remains green-colored. The fruit of the eastern-states crab, Pyrus coronaria, is distinctly flattened endwise, and is long-stemmed. The leaves are deep-cut and often three-lobed. There are no improved varieties of this eastern species, and no authentic hybrids between it and the common apples. The fruit is sometimes used by settlers, but it has little comestible value. Pyrus ioensis has produced a number of promising hybrids with the common apple, and this mongrel race is known as Pyrus Soulardii. The Soulard crab is the best known of these. Its value lies only in its extreme hardiness. The pornological value of the native crabs is prospective. For a compléter account of the native apples, see Bailey, "Evolution of our Native Fruits."

The apple has come apparently from two original stems. All the common apples are modifications of Pyrus Malus (see Pyrus), a low round-headed tree, with thick and fuzzy irregularly dent ate, short - stemmed leaves and fairly compact clusters of woolly-stemmed flowers. The crab-apples are derived chiefly from Pyrus baccata, commonly known as the Siberian crab. This species is probably of more northern or eastern origin than the other. It is of smoother and more wiry growth, with narrower and thinner essentially glabrous long-stemmed leaves, and more open clusters of glabrous-stemmed flowers. The apple is small and hard, and the calyx-lobes fall at maturity, leaving the eye or basin of the fruit smooth and plain. Hybrids between these species apparently have given the race of large-fruited crab-apples, of which the Transcendent and Hyslop are examples. The race known to botanists as Pyrus prunifolia is probably a hybrid group. Certain apples are native to North America. Two species, Pyrus ioensis and P. coronaria, are of interest to the pomologist. The former is the prairie-states crab, and is the more promising. In characters of growth, leaves and flowers, it bears a striking resemblance to forms of Pyrus Malus. The fruit is spherical or spherical-oblong, short-stemmed, very hard, and remains green-colored. The fruit of the eastern-states crab, Pyrus coronaria, is distinctly flattened endwise, and is long-stemmed. The leaves are deep-cut and often three-lobed. There are no improved varieties of this eastern species, and no authentic hybrids between it and the common apples. The fruit is sometimes used by settlers, but it has little comestible value. Pyrus ioensis has produced a number of promising hybrids with the common apple, and this mongrel race is known as Pyrus Soulardii. The Soulard crab is the best known of these. Its value lies only in its extreme hardiness. The pornological value of the native crabs is prospective. For a compléter account of the native apples, see Bailey, "Evolution of our Native Fruits."

One of the most perfect apple regions of this country—considering productiveness, quality, long-keeping attributes, longevity of tree—is that which begins with Nova Scotia and extends to the west and southwest to Lake Michigan. Other important regions are the Piedmont country of Virginia and the highlands of of adjacent states; the Plains regions; the Ozark and Arkansas region; the intermountain region from Montana to New Mexico; the Northwest, including both large and small areas in British Columbia, Washington and Oregon; and the Pacific region, comprising the foothills and parts of the coast in California. All parts of the United States north of Florida and the Gulf borders, and excluding the warm-temperate parts of the Southwest, are adapted to the apple in greater or lesser degree. North America is the leading apple-growing country of the world. A full crop for the United States and Canada, of all kinds and grades, is probably not much less than 100,000,000 barrels, although it is doubtful whether more than one-third of this vast quantity is marketed in a fresh state. The apple is a cosmopolitan fruit, and, since it thrives almost anywhere, it is commonly neglected.

One of the most perfect apple regions of this country—considering productiveness, quality, long-keeping attributes, longevity of tree—is that which begins with Nova Scotia and extends to the west and southwest to Lake Michigan. Other important regions are the Piedmont country of Virginia and the highlands of of adjacent states; the Plains regions; the Ozark and Arkansas region; the intermountain region from Montana to New Mexico; the Northwest, including both large and small areas in British Columbia, Washington and Oregon; and the Pacific region, comprising the foothills and parts of the coast in California. All parts of the United States north of Florida and the Gulf borders, and excluding the warm-temperate parts of the Southwest, are adapted to the apple in greater or lesser degree. North America is the leading apple-growing country of the world. A full crop for the United States and Canada, of all kinds and grades, is probably not much less than 100,000,000 barrels, although it is doubtful whether more than one-third of this vast quantity is marketed in a fresh state. The apple is a cosmopolitan fruit, and, since it thrives almost anywhere, it is commonly neglected.

Erected By Popular Subscription 1912.

Erected By Popular Subscription 1912.

The history is that John Mclntosh came to Canada with the United Empire Loyalists. After spending gome time along the frontier, he settled on his homestead in the county of Dundas in 1790 at a place later called Mclntosh's Corners, although that place has now become extinct and Dundela has taken its place. In the year 1796 while clearing some forest land, he came upon a clump of young apple trees, bout 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. Mclntosh combined his own name with the color of the apple and christened it "Mclntosh 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 near 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 (Fig. 266). The wide circulation of the Mclntosh apple is due to his son, the late Allen Mclntosh, 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.

The history is that John Mclntosh came to Canada with the United Empire Loyalists. After spending gome time along the frontier, he settled on his homestead in the county of Dundas in 1790 at a place later called Mclntosh's Corners, although that place has now become extinct and Dundela has taken its place. In the year 1796 while clearing some forest land, he came upon a clump of young apple trees, bout 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. Mclntosh combined his own name with the color of the apple and christened it "Mclntosh 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 near 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 (Fig. 266). The wide circulation of the Mclntosh apple is due to his son, the late Allen Mclntosh, 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.

The origin of the Wealthy apple, the leading variety of the upper Mississippi Valley, is commemorated on the monument erected to the memory of Peter M. Gideon, Excelsior, Minnesota. The tablet was unveiled and dedicated with appropriate ceremonies on the old farmstead, where he passed the last forty-six years of his life, at 2 o'clock on the afternoon of Saturday, June 15, 1912. The memorial consists of a block of granite, raised on a platform of solid concrete, surrounded by a chain supported by a number of black iron posts. On the sloping top of stone is a bronze tablet bearing this inscription:

The origin of the Wealthy apple, the leading variety of the upper Mississippi Valley, is commemorated on the monument erected to the memory of Peter M. Gideon, Excelsior, Minnesota. The tablet was unveiled and dedicated with appropriate ceremonies on the old farmstead, where he passed the last forty-six years of his life, at 2 o'clock on the afternoon of Saturday, June 15, 1912. The memorial consists of a block of granite, raised on a platform of solid concrete, surrounded by a chain supported by a number of black iron posts. On the sloping top of stone is a bronze tablet bearing this inscription:

Erected by the Native Sons of Minnesota, June, 1912.

Erected by the Native Sons of Minnesota, June, 1912.

The triangular piece of ground on which this is placed containing approximately a half-acre, is surrounded by a chain and post fence, gift of O. P. Briggs, is dedicated as ' Park." It lies on the main traveled boulevard between Excelsior and Minnetonka Beach, a few hundred feet south of the Manitou station on the electric line.

The triangular piece of ground on which this is placed containing approximately a half-acre, is surrounded by a chain and post fence, gift of O. P. Briggs, is dedicated as ' Park." It lies on the main traveled boulevard between Excelsior and Minnetonka Beach, a few hundred feet south of the Manitou station on the electric line.

Special literature.

Special literature.

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The '''apple''' is a fruiting [[tree]], of the [[species]] ''Malus domestica''. Now widely cultivated and immensely variable, the apple is grown in every temperate climate, and is probably the most important commercial pomological fruit.

Pyrus malus, Linn. (Malus com- munis, DC. Malus Malus, Brit.). Apple. Fig. 3283; also under  Apple, Vol. I. A round-headed tree or a large bush, with foliage clustered on short shoots or spurs and also borne on the slender axial growths: lvs. oval, ovate or orbicular- ovate, mostly pointed at apex and rounded at base, soft in texture, dull, the margins irregularly serrate, on stout petioles: fls. large and showy, white or light rose, in close clusters on short pedicels, appearing with the lvs., about 5 or 6 in each cyme; sepals or calyx-lobes 5, acuminate; petals 5, obtuse, mostly pink on the outside; stamens about 20, with yellow anthers: fr. very various, with a cavity about the st., a homogeneous flesh and persistent calyx.—Cult, from remote antiquity, and thought to be native to Eu. and W. Temp. Asia to the Himalayas. It has run wild in many parts of Eu. Attempts are made to recognize two or more species in the group of common apples, but the efforts are not very successful in practice. Some authorities consider that there are two original species and that the common pomological apple represents a welding of them through hybridization.

 

Var. sylvestris, Linn. (Malus sylvfstris. Mill. M. acerba, Merat. Pyrus acerba, DC.). Mostly a wild or run-wild nearly or quite glabrous form, to which not many of the cult, pomological varieties can be referred: young branchlets glabrous or soon becoming so: lvs. glabrous above, shining and only scattered-pubescent beneath, the petiole and pedicels only slightly pubescent: calyx-tube and outside of calyx-lobes glabrous but the latter pubescent inside. W. and Cent. Eu.

 

Var. pumila, Henry (Malus pumila, Mill. Pyrus pumila, Koch). The pubescent type, the source of nearly all the pomological apples, and kept specifically separate by some writers: small or large tree, or bush- like: young branches prominently tomentose, as well as are the pedicels, calyx-tube, and both surfaces of the calyx-lobes:lvs. ovate or oval, dull and more or less tomentose beneath. Thought to be native only in S. E. Eu. and in Asia, although run wild else-where. A very dwarf form is the Paradise apple (P. Malus var. paradisiaca. Linn.), used as a stock on which to dwarf the pomological varieties.

 

Var. astracanica, Loud. (Malus astracanica, Dum. Pyrus astracanica, DC.). Distinguished by large coarsely serrate or doubly serrate lvs. which are tomentose beneath, and by the long pedicels. Probably Asian.

 

 

Var. apetala, Asch. & Graebn. (Pyrus apetala, Muenchh. P. dioica, Moench). Bloomless Apple. Figs. 3284, 3285. Fls. with no colored petals, these organs being represented by very small green bract-like or sepal-like bodies, the sepals appearing, therefore, to be in 2 rows; stamens absent; styles 10-15; ovary 6-or 7-celled, perhaps more: fr. (apparently produced by pollination with other apples) much as in common apples except for a deep not closed cavity at the apex, there being one "core above the other due probably to the crowding of the many cells as the pistil grows; as the apple grows, some or all the cores split open, and cause the hole in the top of the fr.; in Fig. 3285, b and c represent the persistent points of ruptured core-walls, and a marks a thickened petal or bract that stood in the fl. This monstrosity has been long known, and now and then recurs.

:''More information about this species can be found on the [[Malus|genus page]].''

There are horticultural forms of P. Malus distinguished as : Var. aurea, Hort., with yellow-variegated lvs.; var. plena, Hort., with more or less double fls.; var. pendula, Hort., of weeping or drooping habit.

==Cultivation==

==Cultivation==

The best results in apple-growing are to be expected in general when the land is tilled. The reasons for tilling the orchard are those that apply to other crops,— to make plant-food available, to extend the area in which the roots can grow, to conserve moisture. It is especially important, in our hot and sunny country, that the roots extend deep enough to escape the disastrous effects of drought. 1 he ideal treatment of orchard land is to fit the ground deep before the trees are planted, to plow deep for a year or two or three in order to force the roots down and thoroughly to ameliorate the soil, and to practise shallow tillage to conserve moisture. Since trees make most of their growth early in the season, the tillage should be begun as soon as the land is fit in spring; and it may be discontinued by midsummer or August. This cessation of the tillage allows of the growing of some cover-crop or catch-crop late in the season, in order to provide humus and to improve the physical texture of the soil. If the land is well handled in the first few years, it will not be necessary to turn a furrow in the orchard frequently thereafter, but merely to loosen the surface in the spring with a spading-harrow, spring-tooth harrow, or other tool, to reestablish the surface mulch. The only reasons for turning a furrow will occur when the land is so hard that the surface tools cannot mellow the surface, or when it is desirable to turn under a green-manure crop. Even hard lands may be got in such condition, by means of tillage and green-manures, that they may be worked up with harrow tools when the orchard comes into bearing. Plowing the orchard, therefore, has two legitimate objects: to mellow and ameliorate the land to a considerable depth, so that the roots may forage deep; to turn under a cover-crop. The former purpose should not be necessary after the first few plowings. An incidental object of plowing is to facilitate the making of the annual surface mulch; and this mulch is to save the moisture.

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most fertile soils, preferring a moisture retentive well-drained loamy soil[1, 200]. Grows well in heavy clay soils, though if these are poorly drained there could be problems with diseases such as canker[200]. Prefers a sunny position but succeeds in partial shade though it fruits less well in such a situation[1, 200]. Tolerates a pH range from 6 to 7, preferring a range of 6.5 to 6.8[200]. The apple is one of the most commonly cultivated fruit crops in the temperate zone. The primary climatic requirements for the production of good quality fruit are warm summer temperatures, relative freedom from spring frosts, reasonable protection from the wind (especially cold north and east winds) and an evenly distributed rainfall of about 600 - 800mm per annum[200]. Good apple production has been achieved as far north as 65°, whilst about 1000 hours of winter temperatures below 7°c are necessary to initiate flower production[269]. However good quality apples can still be produced in other areas with careful management and choice of cultivars[200]. Even in tropical latitudes, the plant has succeeded at high elevations, producing fruit at elevations over 3000 metres in Ecuador for example[269]. Where space is at a premium, or at the limits of their climatic range, apples can be grown against a wall. Most cultivars will grow well against a sunny south or west facing wall, an east facing wall will suit many of the tougher cultivars and even a north facing wall can be used for early culinary cultivars[219]. A hybrid of mixed origins, including M. dasyphylla, M. praecox, M. pumila, M. sieversii and M. sylvestris, this species is very commonly cultivated in temperate areas for its edible fruit[11]. There are very many named varieties[46, 183, 200] and with careful choice of these varieties it is possible to provide freshly harvested fruit from July to December and stored fruit for the rest of the year. When chives (Allium schoenoprasum) or other alliums are grown under apple trees it can prevent or cure scab[18]. A spray of the infused leaves of Equisetum spp can also be used against scab[18, 201]. If climbing nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) are grown into the tree they can repel woolly aphis[18, 201]. Apples lose their flavour if they are stored with potatoes[18]. They will also impart a bitter flavour to carrots or potatoes if they are stored in the same area[201]. Growing apples near potatoes makes the potatoes more susceptible to blight[201]. Wrapping maple leaves (Acer spp) around apples in store helps to preserve the apples[18, 20]. Apples store better if they are grown in a sward that contains a high percentage of clover[201]. Apple trees grow better and produce better quality fruit when foxgloves (Digitalis spp) and wallflowers (Erysimum cheiri) are growing in the orchard[201]. Dandelions (Taraxacum spp) produce ethylene gas and this can cause earlier ripening of fruit if plants are growing in an orchard[18]. The fruit is a good wildlife food source, especially for birds[200]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[200].{{pfaf}}

 

[[Image:Orchmason.jpg|thumb|right|[[Orchard mason bee]] on apple bloom, [[British Columbia, Canada]]]]

On good lands in which there is a sufficient natural supply of moisture, the sod-mulch treatment may take the place of tillage. This procedure keeps the land in sod, and the grass is mown and allowed to remain on the ground or is spread under the trees.

Apples are self-incompatible; they must [[Pollination|cross-pollinate]] to develop fruit. During the flowering each season, apple growers usually provide [[pollinator]]s to carry the pollen. [[Honeybee]] hives are most commonly used. [[Megachilidae|Orchard mason bee]]s are also used as supplemental pollinators in commercial orchards. [[Bumble bee]] [[queen bee|queen]]s are sometimes present in orchards, but not usually in enough quantity to be significant pollinators.<ref name=app4/>

The apple thrives in a variety of soils. Lands that yield good crops of wheat and corn may be expected to be good apple lands, if other conditions are right. Rolling, inclined, or somewhat elevated lands are generally considered to be most desirable. Their value lies in the better drainage of water and air. The trees may be set in either fall or spring. Forty feet apart each way is the standard distance for apple trees; but some varieties, as the Wagener and the crabs, may be set closer. In the South and on the plains, trees may be set closer, as they do not attain such great size as in the northeastern states. In general, it is best to devote the land to apples alone; but persons who are willing to give the plantation the best of care may plant other trees between the apples as fillers. The more diverse the kinds of trees which are planted together, the more difficult it is to give the proper care to each. Some of the shorter-lived varieties of apples make excellent fillers in the apple orchard; and in special cases dwarf apples may be used.

There are four to seven pollination groups in apples depending on climate:

* Group A – Early flowering, May 1 to 3 in England ([[Gravenstein]], Red Astrachan)

* Group B – May 4 to 7 ([[Idared]], [[McIntosh (apple)|McIntosh]])

* Group C – Mid-season flowering, May 8 to 11 ([[Granny Smith]], [[Cox's Orange Pippin]])

* Group D – Mid/Late season flowering, May 12 to 15 ([[Golden Delicious]], Calville blanc d'hiver)

* Group E – Late flowering, May 16 to 18 ([[Braeburn]], Reinette d'Orléans)

* Group F – May 19 to 23 (Suntan)

* Group H – May 24 to 28 (Court-Pendu Gris) (also called Court-Pendu plat)

Although it should be the general purpose to till the apple orchard throughout its life, whenever the trees seem to be growing too rapidly, the plantation may be seeded down for a time. That is, tillage is the general practice; seeding down and sod-mulching are the special practices. For the first few years, annual crops may be grown in the apple orchard; but every year a more open space should be left about the trees. As often as the land becomes crusted it should be tilled. On strong lands which are well handled, it is rarely necessary to apply concentrated fertilizers until the trees are old enough to bear. What fertilizers are then ; needed, and how much ; to apply, are to be determined by the behavior of the trees. If the trees are making insufficient growth, and the foliage lacks color, one or all of three things may be the trouble: the trees may need water; they may be suffering from insects or disease; they may lack nitrogen. If it is thought that they lack nitrogen, this material may be supplied in the form of nitrate of soda, sulfate of ammonia, or the unburned animal substances, as blood and tankage. Two to three hundred pounds to the acre of the nitrate of soda or sulfate of ammonia are liberal applications on well-tilled lands. If the trees are making vigorous growth, the probability is that they are not in need of more nitrogen. Potash and phosphoric acid may then be applied. Three hundred pounds of muriate of potash, or other concentrated material, should be sufficient for an acre, under ordinary conditions. As a rule, all orchards in full bearing should have a liberal annual application of fertilizing materials. In the East, apple trees should be in profitable bearing at twelve years from planting, and should continue for thirty years. In recent years, lime has been applied in many cases with good results, about 1,000 pounds to the acre every four or five years.

One cultivar can be pollinated by a compatible cultivar from the same group or close (A with A, or A with B, but not A with C or D).<ref name="Symposium on Growth Regulators in Fruit Production"/>

===Propagation===

===Propagation===

Grafting to reproduce cultivars.  Seeds to produce rootstocks or new varieties.

Grafting to reproduce cultivars.  Seeds to produce rootstocks or new varieties.

===Pests and diseases===

===Pests and diseases===

==Cultivars==

==Cultivars==

There are more than 7,500 known cultivars of apple.

There are more than 7,500 known cultivars of apple.  For a partial list, see: [[List of apple cultivars]].

==Gallery==

==Gallery==

<gallery perrow=5>

 

<gallery>

Image:Apples.jpg|A display of different apples

Image:Apples.jpg|A display of different apples

Image:Upload.png| photo 2

Image:Upload.png| photo 2

==References==

==References==

<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->

<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->

<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->

<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->