CLASS II.—CONICAL APPLES.

ORDER II.—ANGULAR.

SECTION 2.—SOUR.

SUB-SECTION 2.—STRIPED.

Buckingham.

BYER'S RED—FALL QUEEN (of some)—BLACKBURN (erroneously.)

This favorite southern apple, from Louisa County, Virginia, has worked its way northward into public favor at rapid rate, under the influence of railways and Pomological Societies. It was first presented to the American Society at the Philadelphia meeting, in 1860, when it was figured and reported on by the Committee on Native Fruits, to some of whom, as to thousands of others in the West, it was familiar as household words. This fruit was brought by settlers to Southern Illinois, and thence distributed, by taking up the sprouts that formed about the base of the stocks, and setting them out for an orchard. I have some of these growing, and they make nice plants.

Tree vigorous, upright, compact while young, spreading with the weight of fruit, never large; the shoots rather slender, red, dark; Leaves medium, rather narrow, wider towards the end, dark, footstalks red. The stems of these trees are characterized by curious enlargements of an irregular, mammellar form, and reddish color, and appear to be like the knaurs of the olive tree.

When this apple was first brought to the notice of the Cincinnati Horticultural Society, twenty years ago, it was thought to resemble the Winter Queen of Kentucky so closely that it was considered only a variety or sport, and called the Striped Fall Queen, but it has since been deemed a distinct sort.

Fruit large to very large, variable in form, but generally conical, or oblate-conic, truncated, angular; Surface smooth, greenish-yellow, mixed and striped pale purplish-red; Dots scattered, prominent, yellow.

Basin deep, abrupt, wavy; Eye large, long, open.

Cavity wide, wavy, brown; Stem short.

Core large, regular, closed; Axis very short; Seeds numerous, long, pointed; Flesh yellow, tender, fine-grained, juicy; Flavor mild sub-acid, rich, agreeable; Quality best, or nearly so; Use, table, kitchen, drying; Season, October to December.

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

Buckingham.

Queen. Equinetely. Sol. Carter. Fall Queen. Byer's. Winter Queen. Winter Queen. Ox-Eye of some in Ky. Ne Plus Ultra. Kentucky Queen. Bachelor. King. Lexington Queen. Merit. Byer's Red. Frankfort Queen. Blackburn. Red Gloria Mundi of some. Ladies' Favorite of Tenn. Henshaw. Red Horse of some.

The origin of this Apple appears all unknown. It has been long grown in Virginia, Kentucky, and other Southwestern States, and is there a profitable and popular variety, valuable either for market or table use. It matures often in November, but will keep into February. Tree hardy, healthy, moderately vigorous and productive, forming a round-headed spreading tree of medium size. Young shoots rather slender, dull reddish brown.

Fruit medium to large. Form oblate, inclining to conic. Color greenish yellow, mostly covered, shaded, striped, and splashed with two shades of crimson or purplish red, many light brown dots. Stalk short. Cavity broad, deep, slightly russeted. Calyx closed. Segments to a point. Basin rather large, deep, slightly corrugated. Flesh yellowish, rather coarse, breaking, tender, juicy, mild, sprightly, subacid. Core small. Very good to best. November to February.

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

BUCKINGHAM.

REFERENCES. 1. Coxe, 1817:147. fig. 2. Downing, 1845:144. 3. Van Buren, Mag. Hort., 23:256. 1857. 4. Elliott, 1858:180. 5. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1858. 6. Mag. Hort., 27:98, 152. 1861. 7. Warder, 1867:537. fig. 8. Downing, 1872:109. 9. Leroy, 1873:87. 10. Barry, 1883:343. 11. Thomas, 1885:217. 12. Lyon, Mich. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1890:290. 13. Wickson, 1891:246. 14. Bailey, An. Hort., 1892:236. 15. Massey, N. C. Sta. Bul., 92:42. 1893. 16. Hoskins, Rural N. Y., 53:278. 1894. 17. Stinson, Ark. Sta. An. Rpt., 1894:45. 18. Beach, N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 13:579. 1894. 19. Taylor, Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1895:195. 20. Powell and Fulton, U. S. B. P. I. Bul., 48:38. 1903. 21. Budd-Hansen, 1903:57. fig. 22. Beach and Clark, N. Y. Sta. Bul., 248:113. 1904.

SYNONYMS. BACHELOR (9). Bachelor (8, 11). Batchellor (9). Blackburn (8). Blackburn, erroneously (7). Buckingham (9). Byer's (8). Byer's Red (7, 8). EQUINETELY (3). Equinetely (8, 10, 11, 13, 17). Fall Queen (7, 8, 10, 15, 17, 21). Fall Queen of Kentucky (11, 16). Frankfort Queen (8). Henshaw (7, 8). Kentucky Queen (8, 9, 11, 17). King (8, 9). Ladies' Favorite of Tenn. (8). Lexington Queen (8). Merit (8, 9). Ne Plus Ultra (8, 9). Ox-Eye of some in Kentucky (8). Queen (8, 9, 17). Red Gloria Mundi of some (8, 9). Red Horse (8, 17). Sol Carter (3, 8). WINTER QUEEN (1, 2, 4). Winter Queen (8, 9, 17, 18). Winter Queen of Kentucky, incorrectly (8). Winter Queening (2, 4).

This variety has long been favorably known in the southern states. When well grown it is decidedly attractive in appearance, but, as grown here, it is not especially attractive and not desirable. This location is too far north for the variety to develop its best color and quality. While it occasionally gives heavy crops, we find it an irregular bearer and often unproductive.

Historical. Origin unknown (8), by some said to have come originally from Louisa county, Va. (7), by others, from North Carolina (3). It has long been known from Southern New Jersey southward through Virginia and westward through the Ohio valley.

TREE.

Tree a moderate grower. Twigs short, rather slender, rather crooked considering the length; internodes short. Bark smooth, clear light reddish-brown mingled with olive-green, not pubescent. Lenticels rather scattering, below medium, generally elongated, raised. Buds medium or below, rather prominent, rather acute, slightly pubescent, lightly attached to the bark.

FRUIT.

Fruit large. Form oblate to roundish oblate, somewhat irregular, usually broadly and obscurely ribbed; sides sometimes unequal. Stem rather stout, short to medium. Cavity large, acute to acuminate, wide, deep, usually with heavy outspreading russet. Calyx medium to large, closed or open. Basin large, abrupt, wide, moderately deep, obscurely furrowed, wrinkled. Skin thick, tough, pale yellow or pale green washed and mottled with red, striped and blushed with bright carmine. Dots numerous, small, light or russet, mingled with others which are large, gray and areolar. Prevailing effect in well colored specimens, beautiful red striped. Calyx tube medium, varying from conical to funnel-form. Stamens median or approaching basal. Core below medium to small, varying from decidedly abaxile to nearly axile; cells usually symmetrical and open or sometimes closed; core lines clasping. Carpels much concave, elliptical to roundish, emarginate, usually smooth. Seeds rather dark, medium to rather large, plump, wide and obtuse. Flesh tinged with yellow, moderately firm, moderately coarse, rather tender, crisp, juicy with distinct aroma, mild subacid, fair to good.

Season November to April (20, 22).

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

Buckingham

This variety originated in the South, some say in Virginia and others say in North Carolina; but it seems not well adapted to the northern sections of the United States. It has long been known in New Jersey, Virginia and westward in Southern Ohio, Southern Indiana and other parts of the Middle and Southern states.

The tree is a moderate grower, twigs short and rather slender; bark smooth, clear, reddish brown mingled with olive green.

Fruit large; form oblate to roundish, somewhat irregular, sides sometimes unequal. Skin thick, tough, pale yellow or pale green, washed and mottled with red, striped and blushed with carmine. Flesh tinged with yellow, moderately firm, coarse, rather tender, crisp, juicy with distinct aroma, mild subacid, fair to good. It is a good keeper for use from November to April.

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

Buckingham.

Fruit, large, round conical, angular, greenish yellow, shaded with crimson and whitish gray dots; stem, short; cavity, broad, deep; calyx, closed; basin, deep; flesh, yellow, juicy, tender, mild sub-acid; "very good;" core, medium. December.

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

Planted Spring 1895. Tree a vigorous grower. Fruit above medium size, oblate, conical. Skin greenish yellow, mostly covered with light and dark red and sprinkled with brown dots. Flesh yellowish, coarse, breaking, juicy, mildly sub-acid, quality very good. Season November and December.

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

Buckingham.* (Bachelor. Equinetely, Fall Queen of Kentucky, Kentucky Queen.) Medium to large, oblate, inclining to conic; striped, shaded and splashed with crimson on greenish yellow, with many light brown dots; cavity large; stalk short; basin wide and deep, somewhat furrowed; flesh yellowish, tender, breaking, mild sub-acid, very good in quality. Late autumn and early winter. A popular and profitable sort in the southwestern States. Tree hardy and healthy, and moderately productive, forming a round-headed top. Virginia. Fig. 383.

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

Greenish-yellow, striped and splashed with two shades of crimson or purplish-red. Has long been favorably known in the southern states- is attractive in appearance and of good quality. Tree hardy, healthy and vigorous, moderately productive and an early bearer. Excellent for drying, family use, and market. NCS.

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

Buckingham (Fall Queen).—An old favorite variety from Virginia; tree upright, slightly spreading, moderately vigorous and productive.

Fruit large, variable, generally conical or oblate conical, truncated, angular; surface greenish yellow, mostly covered, shaded, striped and splashed with two shades of crimson or purplish red; dots numerous, light brown; cavity broad, deep, slightly russeted; stem short; basin rather large, deep, slightly irregular and corrugated; calyx closed; segments connivent. Core small; axis very short; seeds many, long, pointed; tube conical; flesh yellowish, rather coarse, breaking, tender, juicy, mild, sprightly subacid, very good to best. November to February.

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

BUCKINGHAM. Fig. 13. Fall Queen. Kentucky Queen. Ne Plus Ultra Queen. Red Horse. Winter Queen.

Buckingham is a southern apple, attaining in the South, especially on the Atlantic seaboard, almost perfection in form and color, and having, besides, a rich, pleasant flavor. In the North, the apples do not develop high color nor good quality, and the trees are unproductive and irregular in bearing. The origin of Buckingham is unknown, but it has been grown in Virginia and North Carolina for at least a century and a half.

Tree a moderate grower. Fruit large, oblate to round-oblate, irregular, broadly and obscurely ribbed, sides sometimes unequal; stem stout, short; cavity large, acute to acuminate, wide, deep, with heavy outspreading russet; calyx large, closed or open; basin large, abrupt, wide, deep, obscurely furrowed, wrinkled; skin thick, tough, pale yellow or pale green washed and mottled with red, striped and blushed with bright carmine; dots numerous, small, light or russet, mingled with others which are large, gray and areolar; calyx-tube conical; stamens median; core small, abaxile to axile; cells symmetrical and open or closed; core-lines clasping; carpels concave, elliptical to round, emarginate, smooth; seeds dark, large, plump, wide, obtuse; flesh yellow, firm, coarse, tender, crisp, juicy, with distinct aroma, mild subacid; fair to good; November to April.

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