Collins

COLLINS.

REFERENCES. 1. U. S. Pom. Rpt., 1895:21. 2. Thomas, 1897:468. 3. Van Deman, Amer. Gard., 19:823. 1898. 4. Stinson, Ark. Sta. Bul., 49:10. 1898. 5. Ib., 60:127. 1899. 6. Brackett, Amer. Gard., 22:190. 1901. 7. Budd-Hansen, 1903:65.

SYNONYMS. Champion (3, 4, 5, 6, 7). Champion Red (3, 4, 5, 6). Collins' Red (3, 4, 5, 6). Coss Champion (6). Coss's Champion (4, 5).

An Arkansas variety of recent introduction. It has not yet been sufficiently tested in New York to determine whether it is desirable for planting in this region. As fruited here it is of good size and form but decidedly inferior to Baldwin in color and quality, in these respects ranking even below Rome (Beauty) and sometimes below Ben Davis and Cooper Market. When well grown the color is attractive, being yellow, contrasting sharply with the bright red with which it is more or less overspread and sometimes nearly covered. In many cases the cavity shows some resemblance to that of Rome. The tree is a good grower, hardy, and has the reputation of being very productive. Evidently it requires a longer season than Baldwin to bring it to perfect development, but it may prove profitable in those sections of the state where Ben Davis does well.

Historical. Originated about 1865 near Fayetteville, Arkansas (1, 4, 6). It has been much planted in the Southwest and is there especially valued on account of the productiveness of the tree and the excellent keeping quality of the fruit.

TREE. Tree large, tall, very vigorous; branches long, moderately thick, crooked. Form rather upright and dense, eventually becoming more open and outspreading. Twigs moderately long, rather slender, pubescent; fruit often borne on the ends of the twigs; internodes medium to long. Bark very bright dark reddish-brown, somewhat mottled with thin, gray scarf-skin. Lenticels numerous, conspicuous, usually small but sometimes large, roundish or oblong, not raised. Buds medium to large, rather flat, appressed, somewhat acute or tending to obtuse, quite pubescent. Foliage rather dense; leaves medium to large, rather long.

FRUIT. Fruit large or above medium. Form globular or a little oblate inclined to conic, pretty symmetrical. Stem above medium to short. Cavity acute, sometimes acuminate, medium to rather broad, symmetrical or obscurely furrowed, smooth or with radiating russet rays. Calyx medium to rather small, partly open or sometimes closed; lobes slightly separated at the base, short, obtuse. Basin round, moderately shallow to rather deep, somewhat abrupt to rather obtuse, symmetrical or somewhat furrowed. Skin thick, tough, slightly waxy, and partly covered with a faint bloom. Highly colored specimens are bright dark red, sparingly and indistinctly striped with purplish-carmine and occasionally showing contrasting clear yellow ground color. Less highly colored specimens are yellow, more or less washed and striped with red. Dots inconspicuous, small, russet or pale gray. Sometimes a suture line extends from cavity to basin. Calyx tube small, varying from long, narrow funnel-shape to short, approaching conic. Stamens median or below. Core medium to rather small, abaxile; cells symmetrical, closed or somewhat open; core lines clasp the funnel cylinder. Carpels much concave, elliptical to obcordate, somewhat tufted and deeply emarginate. Seeds dark, large, rather narrow to moderately wide, long, rather flat, acute. Flesh nearly white, very firm, rather coarse, crisp, moderately tender, moderately juicy, rather sprightly subacid, slightly aromatic, fair to good. Season January to June.

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

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