 Summer.
Unknown parentage. Discovered or raised by Captain Henry Cole, Cornish,
ME (York County), about 1840. I was inspired to reintroduce Maine's
most famous summer apple by a letter from Philip Small of Cornish
which I received several years ago. His closing words were, "It
would seem natural that an old forgotten apple started in Cornish,
Maine would be grown there again." I tracked down the tree in
the collection of Cynthia Anthony of Searsmont who provided me with
fruit to taste and later scionwood to get my own trees going. Presumably
called 'Quince' because of what several old books call its "rich,
high quince favor," and also perhaps because of its shape and
coloring. Large flattish-conical ribbed bright yellow fruit sometimes
has a brownish blush. As the fruit ripens, the blush turns a glowing
translucent rusty red through which numerous yellow spots appear like
stars. It was a hit in our taste tests where the white flesh was described
as "tangy" and "strongly aromatic" having "zesty
zip" and "zing with plenty of sweetness." Frequently
recommended for cooking before it's completely ripe. Medium-sized
spreading reliable productive tree. Blooms early. About as hardy as
Baldwin. |
