CORTLAND
Apple
USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection
CORTLAND
Origin and History
Cortland is a cross between Ben Davis and McIntosh, made at the New York Agricultural Experiment Station in 1898. The variety was distributed in 1915. It is sought for in New York and New England where McIntosh is chiefly grown and promises to be a close competitor or to take the place of McIntosh where the latter is grown.
Tree
The trees are much the same as those of McIntosh.
Fruit
Cortland is so similar to McIntosh that the two varieties are certain to be confused, but each is distinct, and the differences are all in favor of Cortland. The fruits are larger and brighter in color than McIntosh. The shape, taste, and flesh characters are almost identical to those of McIntosh.
Season
The fruits ripen a little later than those of McIntosh.
Storage
The fruits keep longer than those of McIntosh.
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes or Variants
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 2 catalogs (1913–1932) from Missouri, New York
- Samuel Fraser , Geneseo , New York — 1913
- Stark Bro's Nurseries , Louisiana , Missouri — 1932
View original book sources (1)
— U.P. Hedrick, Cyclopedia of Hardy Fruits (1922)CORTLAND.
The fruits of Cortland are so similar to those of McIntosh that the two varieties are certain to be confused, but each is distinct and the differences are all in favor of Cortland so that the apple is better than that of McIntosh, impossible as it may seem. The fruits of Cortland ripen a little later than those of McIntosh, keep longer, are larger, and brighter in color. The shape, taste, and flesh characters of the two are almost identical. The trees are much the same. Cortland is an improved McIntosh and as such is sought for in New York and New England where McIntosh is chiefly grown. The variety is a cross between Ben Davis and McIntosh made at the New York Agricultural Experiment Station in 1898. The variety was distributed in 1915 and now promises to be a close competitor or to take the place of McIntosh where the latter is grown.