Alexander. Emperor Alexander. Foreign. Fruit, large, conical, flattened at base, red streaked on greenish yellow; stem, small; cavity, deep; calyx, large; basin deep; flesh, coarse, crisp; showy; poor bearer. October.

— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)

Alexander.

This Russian apple, so much admired for its size and beauty, is not a favorite in the orchard, though some persons have found it profitable in the markets.

Tree medium size, spreading, moderately productive, early bearer.

Fruit large to very large, fair and handsome, conical, truncated, sometimes obscurely angular; Surface smooth, pale yellow, striped and splashed distinctly bright red, sometimes shaded mixed red; Dots minute.

Basin medium, regular; Eye small, long, closed.

Cavity rather deep, narrow, regular, brown; Stem medium to short, stout.

Core wide, regular, nearly closed, clasping; Axis short; Seeds large; Flesh whitish, breaking, not fine grained, juicy; Flavor acid, not rich; Quality scarcely good, except for cooking; Season, August and September. Fruit falls badly from the tree.

— John A. Warder, American Pomology: Apples (1867)

1. EMPEROR ALEXANDER. [Syn : Aporta ; Alexander ; Russian Emperor ; Kief's Koy.] This beautiful apple is a native of the Southern Provinces of Russia, whence it was transported to Riga. It is called Alexander, in compliment to the Emperor Alexander the First. It was introduced into England by Mr. Lee, nurseryman, of Hammersmith, about the year 1805. On January 7, 1817, Mr. Lee exhibited some very fine specimens at the Horticultural Society, one of which measured five inches in diameter, four inches in depth, and sixteen inches in circumference. It weighed nineteen ounces. A plate of this apple is given in the Transactions (vol. II. p. 406), but it is not quite typical in shape, owing no doubt to its size. A better figure of it is given in Ronalds' Pyrus Malus Brentfordiensis, plate xxxv., figure 2. Description.—Fruit, very large, heart-shaped. Skin, smooth, greenish yellow, with a few streaks of red on the shaded side, and orange, streaked with bright red next the sun ; the whole strewed with numerous russety dots. Eye, large and half open, with broad, erect, and acuminate segments ; set in a deep, even, and slightly ribbed basin. Stalk, an inch or more in length, inserted in a deep, round, and even cavity, which is lined with russet. Flesh, yellowish white, tender, crisp, juicy, and sugary, with a pleasant and slightly aromatic flavour. This is one of the most beautiful and valuable apples, both as regards its size and quality. It is more adapted for culinary than dessert use, but when well coloured it presents a very noble appearance on the table. It is in season from September to December. The tree grows well and vigorously. It is perfectly hardy, and a good bearer. The size of its fruit renders protection from the wind desirable. The leaves of the tree change in autumn to a fine red hue.

— Woolhope Naturalists Field Club, The Herefordshire Pomona (1885)

Alexander.

Emperor Alexander. Russian Emperor. Aporta. Victoria, incorrectly.

A very large, showy Russian variety. Tree vigorous, spreading, productive. Fruit very large, regularly formed, conical. Skin greenish-yellow, faintly streaked with red on the shaded side, but orange, brilliantly streaked, and marked with bright red in the sun. Calyx large, set in a deep basin. Stalk rather slender, three-fourths of an inch long, planted in a deep cavity. Flesh yellowish-white, crisp, tender, and juicy, with a rather pleasant flavor. Good. October to December.

— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)

Alexander—Of Russian origin; tree vigorous, spreading, productive. In the west it is now largely supplanted by its Wisconsin seedling the Wolf River—Fruit very large, regular, conical; surface greenish yellow, faintly streaked with red on shaded side, but orange on the sunny side almost wholly covered with bright crimson stripes and splashes, a showy fruit; dots obscure, few, minute, gray; cavity regular, deep, with trace of russet; stem short, knobbed at base; basin narrow, abrupt, slightly corrugated; calyx open. Core open; cells ovate, slit; tube conical; stamens basal; seeds short, plump; flesh yellowish white, crisp, tender and juicy with a rather pleasant flavor, good. October to December.

— N.E. Hansen, A Study of Northwestern Apples (1902)

Alexander. Very large, oblate, inclined to conic, regular; streaked with bright red on greenish-yellow; stalk small, cavity rather deep; calyx large, basin deep, even; flesh rather crisp, sub-acid, good; a coarse sort, only for cooking. A moderate or poor bearer. Late autumn. Very showy, its chief recommendation. Russian.

— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)

ALEXANDER

REFERENCES. 1. Forsyth, 1824:131. 2. London Hort. Soc. Cat., 1831: No. 10. 3. Kenrick, 1832:65. 4. Floy-Lindley, 1833:11. 5. Mag. Hort., 1:395. 1835. 6. Downing, 1845:79. fig. 7. Thomas, 1849:146. 8. Cole, 1849:118. 9. Emmons, Nat. Hist. N. Y., 3:32. 1851. 10. Barry, 1851:282. 11. Elliott, 1854:120. 12. Gregg, 1857:41. 13. Hooper, 1857:11. 14. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1862. 15. Warder, 1867:510. 16. Fitz, 1872:152. 17. Leroy, 1873:333. fig. 18. Ia. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1879:538. 19. Downing, 1881:11 index, app. 20. Hogg, 1884:72. 21. Roach, Montreal Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1886-87:27. 22. Wickson, 1889:244. 23. Lyon, Mich. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1890:288. 24. Bailey, An. Hort., 1892:234. 25. Hoskins, Rural N. Y., 53:278. 1894. 26. Gaudier, 1894: No. 14. col. pl. 27. Dempsey, Ont. Fr. Stas. An. Rpt., 1:24. 1894. 28. Burrill and McCluer, Ill. Sta. Bul., 45:312. 1896. 29. Stinson, Ark. Sta. Bul., 43:102. 1896. 30. Waugh, Vt. Sta. Bul., 61:29. 1897. 31. Can. Hort., 20:283. 1897. 32. Woolverton, Ont. Fr. Stas. An. Rpt., 5:5. 1898. figs. 33. Bunyard, Jour. Roy. Hort. Soc., 1898:354. 34. Craig, Cyclopedia of Amer. Hort., 3:1404. 1901. 35. Hansen, S. D. Sta. Bul., 76:22. 1902. 36. Munson, Me. Sta. Rpt., 1902:83, 85, 86. 37. Budd-Hansen, 1903:36. fig. 38. Powell and Fulton, U. S. B. P. I. Bul., 48:36. 1903. 39. Beach and Clark, N. Y. Sta. Bul., 248:111. 1904. 40. Scriber, Can. Hort., 28:248. 1905.

SYNONYMS. Albertin (17, 26). ALEXANDER (1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40). Alexandre (34, 26). Alexander the First (31). Alexandre (17, 26). Aporta (3, 4, 6, 9, 13, 17, 20, 26, 31). Aporta Nalivia (26). Aubertin (17, 26). Beauty of Queen (17, 26). Belle d'Orleans (17, 26). Comte Woronzoff (17, 26). Corail (17, 26). English King (19, 26). Empereur Alexandre I (17, 26). Empereur Alexandre de Russie (17, 26). Empereur de Russie (17, 26). EMPEROR ALEXANDER (3, 4, 20, 33). Emperor Alexander (2, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 26, 32). Fin d'Automne (17, 26). Grand Alexander (26). GRAND ALEXANDRE (17). Grand Alexandre (26). Gros-Alexandre (17, 26). Jolly Gentleman (26). KAISER ALEXANDER (26). Korallen Apfel (26). Phœnix (26). Phönix (17, 26). Pomona Britannica (17, 26). Président Napoleon (17, 26). Russian Emperor (2, 6, 9, 13, 20, 26). Stoke Tulip (26). Wolf River incorrectly (39). Wunderapfel (26).

Alexander is a typical representative of the class of Russian apples commonly known as the Aport group. Fruit very large, attractive red or striped, coarse in texture, medium to good in quality, suitable for culinary rather than for dessert use. The fruit is apt to crack and decay about the stem and calyx and often becomes discolored where it is chafed by constantly rubbing against some twig or branch; there is also a considerable loss from premature dropping of the fruit. Notwithstanding these faults many fruit growers now regard Alexander favorably as a commercial variety as in some markets there is a strong demand for the fruit at good prices. It is being used to some extent for export trade (40). Its season begins in September and extends through October or into November. It may be held in cold storage till November. It goes down quickly and as it does not stand heat well before going into storage it should be shipped the day it is picked and under ice (39). As it ripens continuously during a period of from four to six weeks it should have more than one picking. The tree is hardy, vigorous and moderately productive. In some localities it is subject to blight. It can be recommended for planting in commercial orchards to a limited extent. In the West it is now largely supplanted by its Wisconsin seedling Wolf River (34, 36).

Historical. Introduced into England from Russia in 1817 (20). The exact date of the introduction of this variety into America is not known. The Massachusetts Horticultural Society made several importations of European varieties which were distributed among the members of the society. Mr. Manning exhibited what was supposed to be Alexander before the Massachusetts Horticultural Society at its meeting on September 18, 1830. Whether this was Alexander or not, the shipment of varieties of which Alexander was one had evidently been made prior to that date.¹ It has been widely disseminated and is now pretty well known in the apple growing districts from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Thus far it has not been grown to any considerable extent in New York state but at the present time its cultivation is on the increase.

TREE. Tree large to medium, vigorous to moderately vigorous with long, stout branches. Form upright spreading to roundish, open and somewhat inclined to droop after bearing heavy crops. Twigs short, curved, stout with large terminal buds; internodes medium. Bark brown mingled with olive-green, lightly streaked with scarf-skin; slightly pubescent near tips. Lenticels scattering, medium in size, oval, raised. Buds medium in size, plump, obtuse, free, slightly pubescent.

FRUIT. Fruit large, uniform in size and shape. Form roundish conic to slightly oblate conic, regular or approaching broadly angular, symmetrical. Stem medium to rather short, moderately thick. Cavity acute to acuminate, deep, broad, symmetrical, occasionally lipped, russeted, often with broad, conspicuous, outspreading russet rays. Calyx medium to large, usually open; lobes medium to short, rather narrow, acute. Basin rather small, deep, narrow to nearly medium in width, abrupt, nearly smooth, symmetrical. Skin moderately thick, tough, smooth, glossy, somewhat waxy, greenish or pale yellow deepening to orange-yellow in the sun, often entirely overspread with lively red or handsomely striped and splashed with bright carmine. Dots inconspicuous, small, scattering. Prevailing effect red or striped. Calyx tube variable, long to short, wide to medium, conical to funnel-shape. Stamens median to basal. Core small, usually axile; cells often not uniformly developed, closed or very slightly open; core lines slightly clasping. Carpels elliptical to slightly ovate, emarginate. Seeds medium in size, wide, short, rather plump, obtuse to acute. Flesh nearly white with faint yellow tinge, firm, coarse, moderately crisp, tender, juicy, mild subacid, fair to good.

Season September and October or early November.

¹N. E. Farmer, Sept. 24, 1830: 78.

— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 2 (1905)

Alexander.—Of Russian origin; tree vigorous, spreading, productive. In the West it is now largely supplanted by its Wisconsin seedling, the Wolf River. Fruit very large, regular, conical; surface greenish yellow, faintly streaked with red on shaded side, but orange on the sunny side, almost wholly covered with bright crimson stripes and splashes, a showy fruit; dots obscure, few, minute, gray; cavity regular, deep, with trace of russet; stem short knobbed at base; basin narrow, abrupt, slightly corrugated; calyx open. Core open; cells ovate, slit; tube conical; stamens basal; seeds short, plump; flesh yellowish white, crisp, tender and juicy, with a rather pleasant flavor, good. October to December.

— J.L. Budd & N.E. Hansen, American Horticultural Manual, Part II: Systematic Pomology (1914)

Alexander

The Alexander originated in Russia; was introduced into England in 1817; but the exact date of its introduction into the United States we are not able to determine.

The fruit is very large, attractive, red or striped, coarse in texture, rather good in quality, better for culinary purposes than for dessert. It is large, uniform in size and shape, roundish, slightly conical, symmetrical. Skin moderately thick, tough, smooth, glossy, somewhat waxy, greenish or pale yellow deepening to orange in the sun. In the arid regions of bright sunshine, it is often of a deep red color.

The tree is hardy, vigorous, moderately productive, but is more subject to blight than some other varieties. It has long branches, upright, spreading to roundish top, twigs stout with large terminal buds; bark brown mingled with olive green.

For market the fruit is in good demand from September to the first of November, although it inclines to crack at the stem and calyx, and there is considerable loss by premature dropping.

— Granville Lowther (ed.), Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture (1914)

EMPEROR ALEXANDER. Ronalds, p. 25. F., Grand Alexandre; G., Kaiser Alexander. (Aporta, English King.) Culinary or dessert, September to November, large, 4 by 3, round, conical, flattened on five sides. Colour, golden-yellow, with broad red stripes and flush. Flesh, pale yellow, tender, sweet. Eye, closed, in a rather deep and plaited basin, which is topped by five angular ribs. Stem, rather long in a deep and wide russet-lined cavity. Growth, vigorous, spreading; fertility moderate. Leaf, large, roundish, pale grey-green, down hanging, nearly flat, very coarsely crenate. Origin, Russian. Imported into England in 1817. It has suffered often at the hands of re-christeners. Valued chiefly on the exhibition table. May be distinguished from Bismarck by the short round seeds.

— E.A. Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920)

6. Alexander. (×½)

ALEXANDER. Fig. 6. Aporta.

Alexander has many merits but some faults. Merits of the trees are vigor, hardiness, productiveness, earliness and regularity of bearing; of the fruits, large size and handsome appearance. The chief fault of the tree is susceptibility to blight. The apples fail in being coarse in texture and so poor in quality as to be suitable only for culinary purposes; in ripening unevenly and so requiring several pickings; in dropping prematurely; and in not keeping well in either common or cold storage. The variety is much used as a filler in some apple regions, and as a permanent tree where hardiness is a determinant. Its cultivation is everywhere common in northern apple regions. Alexander was introduced into England in 1817; when into America is not known.

Tree large, vigorous, with long stout branches, upright-spreading, open, somewhat drooping. Fruit large, uniform in size and shape, round-conic to oblate-conic, regular or approaching broadly angular, symmetrical; stem short, thick; cavity acute, deep, broad, symmetrical, occasionally lipped, russeted, often with broad, conspicuous outspreading russet rays; calyx large, open; lobes short, narrow, acute; basin small, deep, narrow, abrupt, smooth, symmetrical; skin thick, tough, smooth, glossy, waxen, pale yellow deepening to orange-yellow in the sun, overspread with lively red or striped and splashed with carmine; dots inconspicuous, scattering; prevailing effect red or striped; calyx-tube variable, long, wide, conical; stamens median; core small, usually axile; cells closed or slightly open; core-lines clasping; carpels elliptical, emarginate; seeds wide, short, plump, obtuse; flesh faint yellow, firm, coarse, crisp, tender, juicy, mild subacid; fair to good; September to November.

— U.P. Hedrick, Cyclopedia of Hardy Fruits (1922)

Planted Spring 1890. Tree a strong and spreading grower; productive. Fruit very large, regularly formed, conical. Skin greenish yellow, with bright red over nearly the whole surface. Flesh white, crisp, tender and juicy, mildly acid, and of pleasant flavour. Season, September and October.

— Central Experimental Farm, Central Experimental Farm, Agassiz BC — Catalogue of Fruit Trees under Test (Bulletin No. 3, 1900) (1900)

Large red striped apple, solid, poor quality, very valuable for cooking. Though strong it a great favorite for keeping, hardy. NCS

— Stark Bros. Nurseries & Orchards Co., Stark Bros. Year Book (1910) (1910)

large and handsome, rich juicy with a pleasant acidity, good for cooking purposes and keeping well. Flesh firm and crisp. Sept. to Nov.

— James Veitch & Sons, Veitch's Fruit Trees (1911) (1911)

Probably the same as the preceding.

— George Bunyard & Co., George Bunyard Catalog of Fruit Trees (1914) (1914)

very large and handsome; a good cooking apple S Sept.-Jan.

— Thomas Rivers & Son, Thomas Rivers Catalogue of Fruits (1914) (1914)