63d Congress | 2d Session ) SENATE Document No. 481 WESTERN APPLES ARTICLE ON WESTERN APPLES: HOW AND WHEN TO USE THEM By JOHN P. HARTMAN SEATTLE, WASH. i . PRESENTED BY MR. POINDEXTER December 19, 1913.— Referred to the Committee on Printing WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1914 .VI 2 REPORTED BY MR. CHILTON. In the Senate of the United States, May 9, 1914. Hesolved, That the manuscript aubmitted by Mr. Poindexter, on December 19, 1913, entitled "Western Apples; How and When to Use Them," by Mr. John P. Hartman, of Seattle, Wash., be printed as a Senate document. Attest: James M. Baker, Secretary, 2 0, OF 0, MAY 2b 1314 4v WESTERN APPLES: HOW AND WHEN TO USE THEM. It is a very common thing for an easterner to say concerning apples grown in the great Northwest that they are very beautiful, but taste- less. Usually both conclusions are true. The condition is one due to the ignorance of the public in knowing when to use particular kinds. Apples are exactly like human beings. Some mature and are at their highest state of usefulness much earlier than others. Some to fulfill their mission must be used before the 1st day of January after their growth, while others should not be touched until three months later. It therefore seems that the public should be thoroughly advised regarding the use of these exceedingly high-grade apples. I have been sorely piovoked more than once to find dining-car conductors placing before their guests beautiful looking baked ap- ples, but worthless because they had passed their season, therefore dry and pithy. For instance, in the fore part of March on the Michi- gan Central, I saw a Gano, which is a fairly good apple up to the 1st of January, but tasteless and juiceless in March. Pretty and fair to look upon, it is true, but without life or virtue or strength. It was like eating so much basswood. After years of experience, and consulting with all the experts, both growers and users, I believe some rules may be safely evolved, as follows : Probably the best late summer and early fall user for cooking is the early Gravenstein, while for cooking and eating from the time it ripens, about the 10th of September, until the middle of December, the King David stands very high. It should, however, run its course during September and October. Good tlirough most of November, if well cared for, has some life in December, but tasteless and useless the latter part of that month. The Jonathan and Spitzenberg are the very highest grade of western apples, and there is no better apple grown, unless it is as hereinafttr mentioned. They are ready for use about the middle of October, then being in a well-matured state. Under ordinary con- ditions, they keep well, and maintain all of their virtue until the middle or latter part of January. From that date on they are in their decadent stage. Their useful condition, as is true of all other apples, may be prolonged by cold storage. The Delicious, one of the best shij)pers, and good for all purposes, except for one who likes a veiy tart apple, is in its best stage of use- fuljiess from the middle of December to the first of March. It has a rather tough and thick skin, and therefore will stand rougher han- dling than probably any other apple grown. It is better, however, U \)£.£. £.\)l ;3VD WESTERN apples: HOW AND WHEN TO USE THEM. for eating thaii cooking, while the Spitzenberg or Jonathan are good for either purpose. The Rome Beauty is an apple of good grade, but by many con- sidered not so good as some already mentioned. It is quite a pro- lific bearer, and therefore much grown. Its period of usefulness may commence a little before the Delicious, and unless carefully pre- served under cold storage, will end by the first or middle of February. After that time it is liable to show a woody and tasteless condition. The NewtoAvn- Pippin and the Winesap are among tlie very best apples grown. The Newtown Pippin is regarded by a great number 01 people as the best apple produced. It is almost green in color when picked, but it must then be stored away, and does not necessarily need to be in a cold-storage plant; but if kept where the temperature is not too high it matures in nice shape, takes on a golden yellow hue, is ready for use the 1st of January or even sooner, reacliing its best in February, and I have often had them in good shape, thoroughly juicy and fuU of life till the 1st day of May. For coolving purposes this apple has no superior. The Winesap is the best keeper of all. Of last year's crop, I placed 12 boxes in cold storage for home use. I took the first out on the 1st day of February, and found that it would have been better to have waited one month. The last were taken out on the 2d of July, and were juicy, of splendid flavor, and as good an apple as ever placed on the table. They are the best keepers, and should never be used until after tlie 1st of February. The better plan is to com- mence on the Winesap in March, and they may be used until the new apples come. On the 4th of July we had on our table baked Winesaps of the crop of the year before and early Transparents of the present The Department of Agriculture should thoroughly familiarize the great hotels, the dining-car systems, and the heav}^ users of our country in how to use tlte western apple. The States of Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Oregon have a large acreage of this delicious fruit, and are producing in large quantities the best apples known to the world. For want of information or knowledge how to use them-, often the industry is given a black eye. Were I to place before my guest a baked Winesap in November or a baked Spitzenberg in June, the crop of the year before, I would say that he had a right to be insulted, yet that is what our railways and princif)al hotels are often doing. A New York hotel chef thought I was a dis- agreeable kicker when I objected to a Rome Beauty placed before me in April. When I sent it back, and afterwards saw him, his remark was "no more beautiful apples in the refrigerator." I agreed with him that it was beautiful, but that was all, and reminded him that beauty was only skni deep. Circularizing tlie consumers would mean much larger returns on the apples investment, being done by proper authority through the department. The people want the fruit, but they want and liave tile right to expect good fruit. They can have good fruit if they are taught some of the primary elements of its use. o LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 022 267 995 3 • Hollinger Corp.