BELLE ET BONNE.

REFERENCES. 1. Downing, 1857:118. 2. Downing, 1872:91. 3. Hogg, (?) 1884:18. 4. Thomas, 1885:242. 5. Mich. Hort. Soc. Rept., 1890:288. 6. Ill. Sta. Bul., 45:314. 1896. 7. Thomas, 1903:337.

SYNONYMS. Bellyband (?) (3). Rolland (?) (3). Tenon Hills (1, 2). Winter Belle Bonne (?) (3).

This old Connecticut variety (1, 2) is found occasionally in Southeastern New York. The fruit is large, handsome, smooth, uniform in size and of about the same season as Hubbardston. It is rather too mild in flavor to be desirable for general purposes. Although an old variety it has never become a standard kind in the markets of this state. In hardiness, health and longevity it ranks about with Baldwin. The trees are moderately productive, usually bearing biennially. They are a little slow about coming into bearing. It is not recommended for planting in New York. Downing regards it as probably identical with the Belle Bonne of Hogg (1, 2, 3) which was first described by Parkinson in 1629. It is quite distinct from Billy Bond.

TREE.

Tree large, vigorous. Form roundish, spreading. Twigs rather long, stout, somewhat pubescent. Bark dull reddish-brown.

FRUIT.

Fruit large to very large. Form roundish oblate. Stem short. Cavity wide, deep, thinly russeted. Calyx closed. Basin medium in width and depth. Skin deep yellow or greenish. Dots small. Flesh tinged with yellow, firm, rather coarse, juicy, mild subacid, good. Season, early winter.

— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 1 (1905)