Especially adapted to amateur collections.
Hewes' Crab.
Fig. 220.—HEWES' CRAB.
From Virginia. A famous cider apple, found in all extensive and good cider orchards. Tree of slender growth, but makes a large, spreading top, immensely productive alternate years, long lived; Twigs slender; Foliage sparse.
Fruit quite small, round, somewhat flattened, regular; Surface mixed, striped, purplish red on yellow; Dots numerous, large, pale or fawn.
Basin shallow; Eye small, closed.
Cavity deep, regular; Stem long, red.
Core round, regular, open, clasping; Seeds large, pointed; Flesh firm, yellowish and greenish, juicy; Flavor acid, rich; the must is very heavy; Quality best for cider; Season, November to January. Also useful for cooking, except on account of its small size; the rich and piquant acid makes it a particularly desirable ingredient in mince-pies.
In Kentucky there is a variety of this apple known as Beeler's Crab, with fruit of similar characters, but the tree is a better grower.