Cross

Origin / History

[NOTE: Source text may be incorrect — the sources describe at least two different apples under the name Cross. Downing's Cross is a large summer apple from Maryland. Hansen's and Thomas's Cross is a Russian import. Hansen states that "the name Cross has long been given to another apple in Maryland," and he describes two distinct Russian Crosses, No. 413 Dept. and No. 15 M. Lowther's large, roundish oblate summer fruit, "suited for both kitchen and market use," agrees with Downing's Maryland apple. Below, the Maryland Cross and the Russian Cross are kept apart under each heading rather than merged.]

The Maryland Cross originated with Robert Cross of Fair Play, Maryland. Downing says its large size and fine appearance render it "one of the most valuable of its season for market and culinary uses." Lowther reports it from one station in the Central Division and notes that the variety is reported in more than one division.

The Russian Cross came from Russia. The Russian Nomenclature Commission called No. 413 Dept. the Cross Apple to distinguish it from No. 15 M. Professor Budd suggested the name Large Anis for Cross 413, and it has also been disseminated under that name. The name Cross was adopted as the official name of No. 413 of the United States Department. Hansen judged that, because the name Cross had long been given to another apple in Maryland, the numbers 15 M and 413 Dept. must be retained for the present. A. G. Tuttle received scions of No. 413 from Chas. Gibbs. On a visit, Gibbs had looked through Tuttle's collection, said he had nearly everything but should have one or two more, and sent him Cross and Grandmother. Thomas lists Cross as Russian.

Tree

The tree of the Maryland Cross is vigorous and makes a large spreading head. It is an early bearer, producing large crops in alternate years and a light one in the intervening years (Downing).

The tree of the Russian Cross No. 413 Dept. is very spreading and a medium grower; wood grayish. A. G. Tuttle reports that No. 413 "does not blight a particle with me."

Fruit

Size: Maryland Cross large to very large. Russian Cross medium to large: No. 413 Dept. medium to large (Hansen), rated size 5 in the Cross Group report Hansen quotes; No. 15 M and Thomas's Russian Cross medium.

Form: Maryland Cross roundish oblate, nearly regular. Russian Cross oblate, regular or nearly so; the Cross Group report gives No. 413 as oblate conical.

Stem: Maryland Cross very short. Russian Cross short to medium: No. 413 short (Hansen), medium in the Cross Group report; No. 15 M medium.

Cavity: Maryland Cross large and deep. Russian Cross deep. No. 413 regular, with a radiating patch of russet (Hansen), green, broad, and deep in the Cross Group report. No. 15 M deep, regular, somewhat russeted.

Calyx: Russian Cross No. 413 calyx half open (Hansen), large and closed in the Cross Group report; tube conical; stamens median. No. 15 M calyx large, open; tube conical; stamens marginal.

Basin: Maryland Cross large, deep, broad, slightly plaited. Russian Cross No. 413 wavy, abrupt, with fine wrinkles (Hansen), well defined and nearly smooth in the Cross Group report. No. 15 M and Thomas's Russian Cross shallow; No. 15 M also abrupt and wavy.

Skin: Maryland Cross whitish or greenish white, rather thinly striped, splashed, and mottled with light and dark red.

Russian Cross yellow to rich yellow, striped and splashed with crimson, "much like Fameuse" (Thomas). No. 413 mostly covered with mixed dark red and crimson splashes and stripes (Hansen). The Cross Group report gives No. 413 as greenish yellow, nearly covered with a light carmine, with distinct bloom. No. 15 M rich yellow, more or less striped and splashed with crimson.

Dots: Maryland Cross few, light and grayish. Russian Cross No. 413 minute, white, obscure (Hansen); green specks in the Cross Group report. No. 15 M white, obscure.

Flesh and flavor: Maryland Cross flesh white, half fine, tender, juicy; mild subacid. Lowther calls it "of very good quality."

Russian Cross flesh white, subacid. No. 413 pleasant subacid, "good" (Hansen); the Cross Group report gives the flesh as light yellow and the flavor as slightly subacid. No. 15 M brisk subacid, "not spicy," "good." Thomas rates it "very good."

Core and seeds: Maryland Cross core small. Russian Cross No. 413 core closed, meeting; seeds numerous, short, plump. No. 15 M core open, clasping; seeds large, dark brown.

Season

Maryland Cross a summer apple, ripening from the middle of August to the middle of September.

Russian Cross late fall into midwinter. No. 413 late fall, given as October to December in the Cross Group report. No. 15 M early winter. Thomas gives midwinter.

Uses

Maryland Cross a market and culinary apple, suited for both kitchen and market use.

Subtypes / Variants

The Cross Group report Hansen quotes treats the Russian Cross as a group. No. 413 Dept. is distinct from Cross 15 M, 8 M, Skrischapfel, and Cross Vor., "the synonomy of which was not taken up."

Other

Thomas figures the variety as Fig. 412.