Changes

{{SPlantbox

{{SPlantbox

|common_name=Apple

|common_name=Apple

|Temp Metric=°F

|Temp Metric=°F

|jumpin=If this plant info box on watering; zones; height; etc. is mostly empty you can click on the edit tab and fill in the blanks!

|sunset_zones=vary by variety

|image=Upload.png

|image=Koeh-108.jpg

|image_width=240

|image_width=200

}}

}}

{{Inc|

{{Inc|

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 (Fig. 238). 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."

The two staple enemies of the apple are the apple-worm (the larva of the codlin-moth), and the apple- scab. These are readily held in check by spraying,—with arsenical poisons for the worm, and with lime - sulfur or bordeaux mixture for the scab. See Spraying. Spraying for the worm should be performed as soon as the last petals fall; for the scab as soon as the buds are well burst. In badly infected regions and on very susceptible varieties, it may be necessary to spray first for the scab before the buds swell. Since there are insects (as canker-worms, case-bearers, bud-moth) that appear before the flowers open, it is advisable to add arsenical poison to the fungicide at the early spraying. The number of times to spray depends on the thoroughness of the work, the pests to be combated, and the season; but it is a good rule to expect to spray with the combined fungicide and insecticide mixture when the buds burst, and again when the petals have fallen. In the plains country, less spraying may be necessary for the fungous diseases.

The two staple enemies of the apple are the apple-worm (the larva of the codlin-moth), and the apple- scab. These are readily held in check by spraying,—with arsenical poisons for the worm, and with lime - sulfur or bordeaux mixture for the scab. See Spraying. Spraying for the worm should be performed as soon as the last petals fall; for the scab as soon as the buds are well burst. In badly infected regions and on very susceptible varieties, it may be necessary to spray first for the scab before the buds swell. Since there are insects (as canker-worms, case-bearers, bud-moth) that appear before the flowers open, it is advisable to add arsenical poison to the fungicide at the early spraying. The number of times to spray depends on the thoroughness of the work, the pests to be combated, and the season; but it is a good rule to expect to spray with the combined fungicide and insecticide mixture when the buds burst, and again when the petals have fallen. In the plains country, less spraying may be necessary for the fungous diseases.

The apple commonly bears on spurs. The fruit - bud is distinguished by its' greater size (usually somewhat thicker than its branch), its greater width in proportion to its length, and more conspicuous pubescence. It is also distinguished by its position. A fruit-bud is shown in Fig. 239. A fruit- scar is shown near the base of the branch. If this fruit was borne in 1912, the side branch grew in 1913 from a bud which came into existence in 1912. If we go back to the spring of 1912, the matter can be made plain. A cluster of flowers appeared. One flower set a fruit (Fig. 240). This apple is at the end of the branchlet or spur. The spur cannot increase in length in the same axis. Therefore, a bud appears on the side (Fig. 241). The fruit absorbs the energies of the spur. There is little nourishment left for the bud. The bud awaits its opportunity; the following year it grows into a branchlet and makes a fruit-bud at its end (Fig. 239); and thereby there arises an alternation in fruit-bearing, although not all alternating in fruit- bearing may be attributed to this cause. The difference between fruit-buds and leaf-buds becomes apparent when the buds burst (Fig. 242).

The apple commonly bears on spurs. The fruit - bud is distinguished by its' greater size (usually somewhat thicker than its branch), its greater width in proportion to its length, and more conspicuous pubescence. It is also distinguished by its position. A fruit-bud is shown in Fig. 239. A fruit- scar is shown near the base of the branch. If this fruit was borne in 1912, the side branch grew in 1913 from a bud which came into existence in 1912. If we go back to the spring of 1912, the matter can be made plain. A cluster of flowers appeared. One flower set a fruit (Fig. 240). This apple is at the end of the branchlet or spur. The spur cannot increase in length in the same axis. Therefore, a bud appears on the side. The fruit absorbs the energies of the spur. There is little nourishment left for the bud. The bud awaits its opportunity; the following year it grows into a branchlet and makes a fruit-bud at its end (Fig. 239); and thereby there arises an alternation in fruit-bearing, although not all alternating in fruit- bearing may be attributed to this cause. The difference between fruit-buds and leaf-buds becomes apparent when the buds burst (Fig. 242).

The apple is budded or root-grafted on common apple seedlings. These seedlings are usually grown from seeds secured from cider mills. In the East, budded trees are preferred. In the upper Mississippi Valley, root-grafted trees are preferred, largely because own-rooted trees of known hardiness can be secured. In Russia, seedlings of Pyrus baccata are used as stocks. They prevent root-killing, and give earlier fruit-bearing. Apple trees are usually planted when two or three years old.

The apple is budded or root-grafted on common apple seedlings. These seedlings are usually grown from seeds secured from cider mills. In the East, budded trees are preferred. In the upper Mississippi Valley, root-grafted trees are preferred, largely because own-rooted trees of known hardiness can be secured. In Russia, seedlings of Pyrus baccata are used as stocks. They prevent root-killing, and give earlier fruit-bearing. Apple trees are usually planted when two or three years old.

Apples are dwarfed by working them on various kinds of Paradise and Doucin stocks. These stocks are merely naturally dwarf forms of the common apple, and which, in some remote time, have originated probably from seeds. Dwarf apples are much grown in Europe, where small-area cultivation and wall-training are common, but they are little known in America, and, because of economic conditions, are usually not profitable here. See Dwarfing.

Apples are dwarfed by working them on various kinds of Paradise and Doucin stocks. These stocks are merely naturally dwarf forms of the common apple, and which, in some remote time, have originated probably from seeds. Dwarf apples are much grown in Europe, where small-area cultivation and wall-training are common, but they are little known in America, and, because of economic conditions, are usually not profitable here.

Varieties.

Varieties.

The varieties of apple trees actually on sale in North America in any year are not far from 1,000 kinds. Each great geographical area has varieties that are particularly adapted to it. In the northern Mississippi Valley, there are few of the eastern-states apples that thrive. Varieties have been introduced from Russia with the expectation that they will be adapted to the region; but more is to be expected of their progeny than of themselves. Varieties of local origin, coming from various stem types, are now providing that region with satisfactory apples. In the selection of varieties, one should be guided by this adaptation to the region, and by the purpose for which the fruit is designed to be grown. Consult the recommended lists of the state horticultural societies; ask persons who have had experience in the given region; write to the experiment station; enquire at the markets. The leading commercial varieties in North America are Golden Russet (N. Y.), Red Astrachan, Baldwin (Fig. 243), Ben Davis (Fig. 244), Blue Pearmain (Fig. 245), Oldenburg (Duchess of), Esopus (Spitzenberg) (Fig. 246), Fameuse, Gano (Fig. 247), Black Gilliflower (Fig. 248), Gravenstein, Grimes (Fig. 249), Hubbardston (Fig. 250), Rails, Jonathan, Tompkins King, McIntosh, Missouri (Pippin), Newtown (Albemarle) (Fig. 251), Northern Spy (Fig. 252), Peck (Pleasant), Pennock, Rhode Island Greening (Fig. 253), Rome Beauty (Fig. 254), Shockley, Twenty Ounce, Wealthy (Fig. 255), Willow (Twig), Winesap and Stayman Winesap (Fig. 256), Wolf River, Yellow Bellflower, York Imperial (Fig. 257), King (Fig. 258). Baldwin and Ben Davis, the former of secondary quality and the latter of worse, hold the supremacy in American market apples. The apples of the eastern and central country tend toward flattened or oblate shape (Figs. 258-9). The typical form of the so-called long or conical American apple may be seen in Fig. 260. Many odd and unusual varieties are grown for dessert, one of which is shown in Fig. 261.

The varieties of apple trees actually on sale in North America in any year are not far from 1,000 kinds. Each great geographical area has varieties that are particularly adapted to it. In the northern Mississippi Valley, there are few of the eastern-states apples that thrive. Varieties have been introduced from Russia with the expectation that they will be adapted to the region; but more is to be expected of their progeny than of themselves. Varieties of local origin, coming from various stem types, are now providing that region with satisfactory apples. In the selection of varieties, one should be guided by this adaptation to the region, and by the purpose for which the fruit is designed to be grown. Consult the recommended lists of the state horticultural societies; ask persons who have had experience in the given region; write to the experiment station; enquire at the markets. The leading commercial varieties in North America are Golden Russet (N. Y.), Red Astrachan, Baldwin, Ben Davis, Blue Pearmain, Oldenburg (Duchess of), Esopus (Spitzenberg), Fameuse, Gano, Black Gilliflower, Gravenstein, Grimes, Hubbardston , Rails, Jonathan, Tompkins King, McIntosh, Missouri (Pippin), Newtown (Albemarle), Northern Spy, Peck (Pleasant), Pennock, Rhode Island Greening, Rome Beauty, Shockley, Twenty Ounce, Wealthy, Willow (Twig), Winesap and Stayman Winesap, Wolf River, Yellow Bellflower, York Imperial, King. Baldwin and Ben Davis, the former of secondary quality and the latter of worse, hold the supremacy in American market apples. The apples of the eastern and central country tend toward flattened or oblate shape. Many odd and unusual varieties are grown for dessert.

Monuments or markers have been erected to a few of the most noted varieties of apples. Fig. 262 shows the monument erected in Wilmington, near Lowell, Mass., in 1895, to the Baldwin, with the following inscription:

Monuments or markers have been erected to a few of the most noted varieties of apples. Fig. 262 shows the monument erected in Wilmington, near Lowell, Mass., in 1895, to the Baldwin, with the following inscription:

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 (Fig. 267). 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:

This Tablet commemorates Peter M. Gideon who grew the original Wealthy Apple Tree from seed on this, his homestead, in 1864.

This Tablet commemorates Peter M. Gideon who grew the original Wealthy Apple Tree from seed on this, his homestead, in 1864.

}}

}}

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.

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.

==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.

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.

{{stub}}

{{stub}}