We owe our acquaintance with this fine large fruit to the late Mr. A.H. Ernst, long President of the Ohio Pomological Society, who furnished trees to Mr. Robert Buchanan, an enthusiastic Pomologist of Cincinnati. Both these gentlemen were too modest to permit their names to be attached to a fruit which they did not originate, but which they have aided to distribute. Another focus of distribution was the orchard and nursery of R.W. Todd, at Madison, Indiana, and the fruit has been received under the name of Shannon, from Doctor J.A. Dibrell, of Van Buren, Arkansas. Origin Dayton, Ohio, from whence it was procured personally by Mr. Todd, many years ago, and the grafts set by him are the oldest trees known.
Tree healthy, vigorous, large, spreading; Shoots stout, dark; Leaves large.
Fruit large, often very large, oblate, somewhat conic, irregular; Surface smooth, greenish-yellow, sometimes blushed faintly near the base; Dots small gray.
Basin wide, deep, folded; Eye large or very large, open; Segments short.
Cavity wide, wavy or regular, brown; Stem short, stout.
Core medium to large, regular, closed, meeting the eye; Seeds numerous, medium, plump, sometimes imperfect; Flesh yellowish, breaking, tender, juicy; Flavor acid to sub-acid; Quality good; Market and kitchen, too large for dessert; Season, December, January.
Western Spy.
Origin Jefferson County, Ohio. Tree healthy but medium growth, very productive; exhibited by Joel Wood.
Fruit large, roundish-oblate, uneven; Surface smooth, yellow, blushed; Dots numerous, minute, with white bases.
Basin abrupt, uneven; Eye large, closed.