Fig. 162.—ROSS' NONPAREIL.
The delicious fruit about to be described is believed to be the celebrated Irish apple mentioned by Thompson, Lindley, and others; if not, we have found another choice fruit, which deserves to be better known. It is frequently found at the exhibitions in Ohio and Indiana. Often shown as Spice Russet, flatter and irregular: Vide conspectus.
Fruit medium, regular, oblate-conical; Surface smooth, yellowish, thin russet, rarely blushed dull carmine; Dots minute, gray.
Basin wide, folded; Eye medium, closed.
Cavity deep, acute, wavy; Stem long, inclined.
Core regular, open, scarcely meeting the eye; Axis short; Seeds numerous, medium, plump; Flesh white, breaking, fine grained, tender; Flavor sub-acid, aromatic, rich; Quality almost best; for table; Season December.
Spafford Russet.
Fig. 163.—SPAFFORD RUSSET.
This apple is supposed to have originated near old Fort Miami, in Northern Ohio, and was introduced to the notice of the Ohio Pomological Society by its Vice-President, J. Austin Scott, of Toledo, who cultivates the variety on the banks of the Maumee, near the place of its supposed origin.