y i THE AMERICAN POMOLOGIST: CONTAINING FINELY COLORED DRAWINGS, ACCOMPANIED BY tETTER-PRESS DESCRIPTIONS OF FRUITS OF AMERICAN ORIGIN. EDITED BY W. D. BRINCKL^, A.M., M.D. MF..MB. PENN. HORT. SOCIETY, COE. MEMB. MASS. HORT. SOCIETY, HON. AND CORE. MEMB. NEW HAVEN COUNTY HOET. SOCIETY, BUFFALO AND SOUTHERN IOWA HORT. SOCIETIES, HON. MEMB. WILMJNGTON HORT. SOCIETY, ETC. ETC. VOL I. PUBLISHED BY A. HOFFY,' Ko 193 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET, PHILADELPHIA 1851, IP o UJ >*• M*IN LI»fTAKY.AGmCUI-TUBE DEFT. THE AMERICAN POMOLOGIST: CONTAINING FINELY COLORED DRAWINGS, ACCOMPANIED BY LETTER-PRESS DESCRIPTIONS OF FRUITS OF AMERICAN ORIGIN. EDITED BY W. D. BRINCKL^, A.M., M.D. MEMB. PENN.' HORT. SOCIETY, COR. MEMB. MASS. HORT. SOCIETY, HON. AND CORR. MEMB. NEW HAVEN COUNTY HORT. SOCIETY, BUFFALO AND SOUTHERN IOWA HORT. SOCIETIES, HON. MEMB. WILMINGTON HORT. SOCIETY, ETC. ETC. VOL. I. PUBLISHED BY A. HOFPY, No. 193 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET, PHILADELPHIA. 1851. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1851, by A. HOFFY, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Eastern Dis- trict of Pennsylvania. NOTICE. THE PUBLISHER, A. Hoffy, in doing himself the honor of announcing DOCTOR WM. D. BRINCKLE as the Editor of the American Pomologist, deems it a source, not only of pleasure, but one also of pride and triumph. The innumerable and gratuitous instances to the enhancement of Horticulture that have been evinced by the Doctor, as well as his scrupulous observance of truth and impartiality, are already too well known to need further comment. These characteristics afford an additional guarantee to the accuracy of the American Pomologist, and will render it a STANDARD WORK OF THE STRICTEST RELIABILITY. Published in Numbers, not oftener than once in three months — Commencing July, 1851. EACH NUMBER TO CONTAIN TEN ILLUSTRATIONS, TRUE TO NATURE. EVERY FOUR NUMBERS WILL CONSTITUTE ONE VOLUME. TERMS. — Two Dollars per Number, or Eight Dollars per Volume. Forwarded by mail to any part of the United States. N. B. The American Pomologist, not being a local work, nor connected with any Horticul- tural Society or Establishment, contributions of seedling or native fruits, and all other valuable horticultural matter, from all parts of the Union, are earnestly solicited, for which due credit will always be given in the work. 670518 EDITOR'S PREFACE. THE repeated disappointments which have attended the cultivation of Foreign Fruits in this country, render it daily more manifest that our chief reliance must be placed on those of native origin. Though many of the trans-atlantic varieties possess undoubted merit, and richly de- serve all the praise that has been bestowed on them, a still greater number are of inferior quality, at least when fruited in this country. And of those that are of a high order of excel- lence, some are shy bearers, and others are constitutionally too tender to withstand the great and sudden vicissitudes of our variable climate. The design of the present work is to direct the attention of horticulturists more prominently to our native fruits, and to give such a pomological description and colored drawing of them as that they may be readily identified. Notwithstanding some of our indigenous kinds have been long known and quite extensively cultivated in some parts of our country, yet they will be introduced into the work, not only to place them on record, but to enable the pomologist, who may not be familiar with them, to discriminate the genuine from the spurious? Many of our native fruits possess great excellence — and not a few of them will successfully compete with the most celebrated kinds from the eastern hemisphere. Among these we may mention the Seckel, Dix, Pratt, and Columbia Pears — the Newtown Pippin, Fall Pippin, Rhode Island Greening, Esopus Spitzenberg, and Northern Spy Apples — the Heath Cling, Druid Hill, Crawford's Late, and Susquehanna Peaches — Lawrence's Favorite, Washington, General Hand, Columbia, and Jefferson Plums — Wendell's Mottled Bigarreau, Downer's Late, Coe's Transparent, and Dr. Kirtland's New Cherries — Hovey's Seedling, and Burr's New Pine Strawberries, etc. etc. Most of our fine domestic fruits are accidental seedlings. Valuable varieties have also been obtained by planting the seed of the best known kinds. But when artificial fertilization, during inflorescence, is resorted to, and the parents selected with judgment, a successful result is just as certain as that attending the similar course pursued in raising fine animals. Being confined exclusively to Fruits of native origin, the American Pomologist cannot be viewed as a rival of the valuable pomological works, with colored plates, already in progress. Most sincerely wishing them every success, we desire only to co-operate with them in dissemi- nating pomological information, and in promoting and encouraging a taste for this useful, in- teresting and fascinating science. In conclusion, the Editor will embrace this opportunity to state, that he is in no way con- nected with the profits and emoluments of the present undertaking. Believing the Publisher to be a worthy man, as well as an accomplished artist, the undersigned desires most cordially to promote the enterprise; and with this view his editorial services are rendered without any remuneration whatever. The propriety of addressing directly to the Publisher all communi- cations in relation to the work will therefore be apparent. W. D. BRINCKLE, M. D. PHILADELPHIA, JULY, 1851. The American Pomologist. PI. from, na.tu.re -A on. jton* Tty ffaffy. BRANDYWINE PEAR. Size — Medium, 21 inches long by 2 in width.. Form — Pyriform, much flattened at the base. Skin — Yellowish green, nearly covered with russet dots and blotches, especially around the eye. Stem — One inch long, medium thickness, somewhat fleshy at its insertion without de- pression. Calyx — Of medium size; open, set in a wide shallow basin. Core — Rather small. Seed — Dark brown. Flesh — White, melting. Flavor — Rich, resembling, in Mr. Downing's opinion, that of the White Doyenne and Marie Louise combined. Maturity — Middle of August. Leaf — Rather long, slender, serrate. Wood — Yellowish olive, interspersed with white dots. Tree — A free grower, a regular and abundant bearer. HISTORY, ETC. Dr. Ellwood Harvey, of Chaddsford, gives in the 3d vol. of the Horticulturist, the following history of this fine New Pennsylvania Pear: " The original tree was found near a fence in a field on my father's farm, (the late Eli Harvey.) It was transplanted, when quite small, to a garden on the property of George Brinton, then owned by his grandfather, Caleb Brinton. This garden, on the banks of the Brandywine river, is a part of the ground on which the American army stood in the defense of our country in the Battle of Brandywine ; and I therefore respectfully suggest the above name as an appropriate one for the fruit. The tree began to bear fruit about the year 1820, and in 1835 the original trunk blew down, near the surface of the ground. The present tree is a sucker, or shoot, which sprung up from the root, and has now been in bearing four or five years." I saw this pear for the first time in the summer of 1848. It, and another variety, were sent to me from Westchester before a description of it was published in the Horticulturist, for the purpose of obtaining my opinion of their merits. I unhesitatingly pronounced the Brandy- wine to be greatly superior to the other, and to be a fruit of the first quality. 1 •*• •••*»" I-..: . v ::• The American Pomologist. PL 3>5!L aK Jteam Litk.Prea.FhHi1 MOYAMENSING. Size — Full medium. Form — Round-obovate, somewhat irregular, Skin — Lemon-yellow, with occasionally blotches and lines of russet. Stem — Variable, usually about an inch long — fleshy. Cdyx — Rather small, set in a furrowed basin. Flesh — Buttery, melting. Flavor — Very pleasant. Maturity — August . Leaf — Medium size, petioles rather long. Wood — Yellowish brown, with numerous light dots. HISTORY, ETC. This fine summer pear originated in the garden of the late J. B. Smith, Esq. of Philadel- phia. His residence being in the District of Moyamensing, induced the Pennsylvania Horti- cultural Society in 1845, to name it Smith's Moyamensing. The original tree is seventy or eighty years old, and has always been a constant and uniform bearer. The American Pomolojiist PI. T P1AH. From nalitrr &• on stt'/te kg Hi'ff'y of P PETRE. Size — Full medium. Form — Obovate . Skin — Pale yellow, with sometimes russet patches. Stem — About an inch long, rather stout, inserted in a depression usually flattened. Calyx — Small, set in a narrow basin. Flesh — Whitish, of fine texture and buttery consistence. Flavor — Rich and perfumed. Maturity — September. Leaf — Usual size and form. Wood — Yellowish brown, older wood olive brown, shoots slender. HISTORY, ETC. This fine Autumn Pear, originated from a seed of the White Doyenne, sent from London to the elder John Bartram by Lady Petre, in 1735. The original tree, now about 115 years old, is yet standing at the Bartram Garden, near the south-east corner of the old mansion. This variety is of rather slow growth, but bears most abundantly and uniformly a crop of fine fruit. Several of the Seedlings raised by Bartram from the Petre still remain on the premises, the Chapman, however, is the only one that possesses any merit. The American Pomolo£ist PI. Fran not art fron. ZS.ffura.% Steam lith PENNSYLVANIA. Size — Above medium. Form — Short, obovate. Skin — Brownish russet on yellowish ground. Stem — li inch long, 1-1 Oth in width, inserted in a slight depression. Calyx — Small, set in a shallow basin. Flesh — Rather coarse, half melting. Flavor — Highly perfumed. Maturity — Beginning of September. Wood — Young wood reddish brown. Tree — Vigorous, diverging. HISTORY, ETC. The Pennsylvania Pear originated some fifty or sixty years ago, in the garden of the late John B. Smith, in the District of Moyamensing. The name was given to it by the Pennsyl- vania Horticultural Society. The original tree, of large size, is still remaining on the premises in Christian Street, and is within twenty or thirty feet of the Moyamensing Pear. In some parts of Ohio another pear is cultivated under this name. The American Pomologist. PI. From, wuart &- on. .itone tit/ Jla/fy. T.SJIuvaX Jtt,m.L,th rraj TUl? REPUBLICAN PIPPIN. Size — Large, 21 to 3 inches long by 31 to 4 inches in width. Form — Oblate. Skin — Striped with red on a mottled reddish ground, and, where not exposed to the sun, of a greenish yellow, with a few large gray dots. Stem — About an inch long, slender for so large a fruit, inserted in a narrow, rather deep cavity, which is sometimes a little russetted, the russet patch diverging in rays. Calyx — With small or narrow segments, closed, and set in a moderately deep basin. Core — Small. % Seed — Brown, large, broad, plump. Flesh — Yellowish white, tender. Flavor — Pleasant and peculiar, resembling somewhat that of walnuts. Maturity — September, October. Leaf — Broad, dark green, somewhat plaited or rugose, under side glaucous with reddish veins. Wood — Dark reddish brown. HISTORY, ETC. A native of Pennsylvania. The original tree was discovered in the woods near Muucy, Lycoming county, in 1796, by George Webb, by whom it was extensively^ propagated. The tree is still standing in its original locality, and in vigorous health. Scions were sent to Eng- land, in 1827, to J. H. Lewis, Esq. of East Farleigh, Kent, who now has trees of it in bearing. On the authority of Dr. Kittee, of Lycoming county, " it is fit for cooking the last of July. For drying it cannot be surpassed, cooking to a fine pulp in a very short time. In the green state it cooks well, and has a delicious flavor. The tree grows vigorously on any soil, but does not bear well on limestone land. It has a crop every year." This variety is cultivated to some extent in the vicinity of Westchester, in this state, where it sustains its high character. The American Pomolo^ist. PI Frvm nature &on stonf byjfoffy M.Pi ELIZA PEACH. Size — Large. Form — Round, terminating in a nipple. Skin — Yellow, with a mottled red cheek. Flesh — Yellow, red at the stone. Flavor — Very fine. Maturity — Last of September. Stone — Not adhering. Leaf- — Large, with reniform glands. HISTORY. This Peach was raised on the premises of Mr. Gerard Schmitz, South Fifth Street, in the District of Moyamensing. It received the premium offered by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society for the best Seedling Peach exhibited in 1849. L The American Pomologist. PI. from- nature fr on Stem l>y J/nffi{ BURLINGTON APRICOT. Size — Medium to large. Form — Oblong, somewhat compressed at the sides, with a distinct suture. Skin — Golden yellow, with numerous red spots, and a ruddy tint on the side exposed to the sun. Flesh — Yellowish . Stone — Yellow, moderately rough, perforated; in five stones out of twenty the perforation was entirely laid open, forming a furrow. Flavor — Fine. Maturity — From the middle of July to the beginning of August. Blossom — Large . Leaf — Large, broadly heart-shaped, terminating abruptly in a point, and slightly serrated. Wood — Reddish, old bark rough. Tree — A vigorous grower. HISTORY, ETC. The Burlington Apricot originated from a seed of the Peach Apricot, planted by Mrs. Sarah Woolman in 1838. In the spring of 1842 the tree was removed to its present locality on the premises of her son, Mr. John J. Woolman, opposite the Lyceum, on the east side of Main Street, in Burlington. It stands on the south side of a brick house, exposed to the east and west winds. The soil is a poor gravel, thrown out in digging the cellar of the mansion. The Tree fruited, for the first time, in 1843, and in 1844 the fruit was exhibited before the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. For the history of this fine Apricot I am indebted to the kindness and attention of David Landreth, Esq., of this city, and Samuel R. Wetherill, Esq., of Burlington. The American Pomologist From- Nature- Jc ffn/ Stone liyffoffy ith,. of PSBuraZ, PfuZ* WENDELL'S MOTTLED BIGARREAU. Size — Large, usually an inch in its transverse diameter. Form — Obtuse heart-shape, uniformly regular, with a distinct and well-marked suture extending half-way around the fruit. Skin — Rich dark purplish red, beautifully mottled with small points and streaks of a darker hue, which become quite indistinct when the fruit is fully ripe, the color then be- coming nearly black. Stem — About an inch and a half long, rather stout, and set in a round depression of mo- derate depth. Seed — Small. Flesh — Deep crimson, firm, crisp, though not tough, and well supplied with a rich deli- cious juice. Flavor — Rich, saccharine, and very agreeable. Maturity — At Albany from the 7th to 15th of July, about the time of Downer's Late Red. HISTORY, ETC. This new, rich, and beautiful Native Cherry, originated from a seed of the Graffion, planted by Dr. Herman Wendell, of Albany, at his place near that city, in the spring of 1840. It bids fair to take a high rank among the lovers of this favorite fruit. At the show of the Albany and Renselear Horticultural Society in 1849, it took the premium as the BEST variety exhibited, though it had to compete with the Black Tartarian, Graffion, Holland Bigarreau, Elton, and others of merit, which were shown at the same time. For the pomological description of this fine Cherry we are indebted to the kindness of our esteemed friend Doctor Wendell. The American Pomoloqist. o PI. from Nature, flcon S&/tes6y //a/fy COL. WILDER RASPBERRY. Size — Large. Form — Roundish, semi-transparent, varnished, prominent pips. Color — Yellowish white, or a delicate cream color. Flavor — Very fine. Maturity — End of June. Leaf — Much crimped. Stalk — with white spines. HISTORY, ETC. This variety originated from a seed of the Fastolf, planted in the spring of 1846. It was named in honor of my highly valued and distinguished friend, the ex-President of the Massa- chusetts Horticultural Society. It fruited in 1847, the year after the seed had been planted. The Col. Wilder is one of the finest flavored raspberries, and a most profuse bearer. Its semi- transparent, glazed, and prominent pips, render its appearance peculiarly beautiful and attrac- tive. Many Seedlings have been raised from this variety, some bearing fruit similar in every respect to that of the parent, others fruit of a yellow color not unlike the Yellow Antwerp, and many crimson fruit. The American Pomoloqist from Aa/urc e'i * <,// S /.iti-tl/'/' S /I,,'!:,.' /'.., GUSHING RASPBERRY. Size — Rather large. Form — Roundish conical. Color — Crimson . Flavor — Fine and sprightly. Maturity — June, and sometimes October. Leaf — Much plaited and regular in form. Stalk — With brown spines. HISTORY, ETC. This New Raspberry was named in honor of J. P. Gushing, Esq., of Watertown, Massa- chusetts. It was produced from a seed of the New Double Bearing, which had been imported by Mr. Robert Buist, of this city. The seed was planted June 27th, 1843, and vegetated in the spring of the following year. It fruited, for the first time, in the autumn of 1845. Only one berry, however, matured at that time, in consequence of the accession of cold weather. Besides fruiting in the summer, it invariably makes an effort to produce a second crop in Octo- ber, and not unfrequently the effort proves successful. The October crop is always produced on the wood grown the same season, and not on that of the preceding year. In 1850 the second crop commenced on the 20th of October, and on the 19th of November a branch, with ripe fruit on it, was cut off and exhibited at the meeting of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. 14 DAY USE RETURN TO DESK FROM WHICH BORROWED LOAN DEPT. This book is due on the last date stamped below, or on the date to which renewed. Renewed books are subject to immediate recall. _ n — — lift i r~"N REC'D L.U . ri n 4AC^2 AUG261957 NOV4 1974