THE FAMEUSE APPLE.

Fameuse. Forsyth's Fruit Trees, 3d Edition. De Neige, } Pomme de Fameuse, } Lon. Hort. Soc. Cat. Sanguineus, } Pomme de Neige, Fruits and Fruit Trees of America. Snow Apple, } of some American collections. Chimney Apple, }

It is somewhat remarkable that such an old apple as the Fameuse, familiar to European writers on fruits, should not have been more generally known among our American pomologists. Neither Cox nor Thatcher, two of the earliest writers, mention it; and Mr. Kenrick, in his Orchardist, appears to have been the first to call the attention of cultivators to it. His description and account of the Fameuse brought it into notice, and latterly it has become much better known and more highly appreciated, so that at the present time a collection cannot be considered complete without it.

That a variety of so much merit should not have been more generally disseminated is somewhat surprising, for, as an autumn apple, both on the score of beauty and excellence, it has few superiors. Of only medium size, it is still large enough for a dessert fruit, and its brilliant purplish crimson skin, which brings its snow-white flesh in still greater contrast, renders it one of the most attractive apples. In its peculiarly tender, almost melting flesh, and its slightly musky aroma, it greatly resembles some of the fine pears.

The Fameuse has always been supposed by our pomologists to be an American apple; and one of our authors speaks of it as a "celebrated Canadian fruit." But the early notice of it by Forsyth, as well as its history, so far as it has been traced, afford no proof of this. On the contrary the evidence is, that it is a foreign apple, and in all probability originated in France. It is known to have been planted by the French settlers on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, at Ogdensburgh and Detroit, one hundred and fifty years ago; and it is scarcely possible that at that time a native variety should have been so well known, as to have been disseminated over such a large tract of country.

The Fameuse is a most abundant bearer in alternate years. It seems to prefer a deep, rich, strong, loamy and rather moist soil; and it is in such situations as this, in the vicinity of Montreal, that it attains its greatest excellence.

Tree.—Moderately vigorous, upright, making erect annual shoots, and forming a large, round, handsome head.

Wood.—Deep reddish chestnut, dotted with small, whitish specks, rather slender, and short-jointed; buds, small, short and flattened: Flower-buds, medium size.

Leaves.—Medium size, roundish ovate, shortly pointed, tapering little towards each end, nearly flat, deep green, doubly, rather deeply, and sharply serrated; petioles, short, about one inch long, stout.

Flowers.—Medium size; petals cupped, and tinged with pink.

Fruit.—Medium size, about three inches broad, and two and a half deep: Form, round, occasionally flattened at the base, and largest in the middle: Skin, fair, smooth, yellowish green, nearly covered with a lively pale red, and streaked with purplish crimson, very dark on the sunny side: Stem, short, about half an inch long, rather slender, and inserted in a moderately deep and somewhat contracted cavity: Eye, small, closed, and little depressed in a slightly furrowed basin; segments of the calyx rather long, twisted: Flesh, snow-white, fine, crisp and very tender; Juice, abundant, slightly subacid, rich and excellent, with a delicate musky aroma: Core, medium size, closed; Seeds, medium size, long and pointed.

Ripe in October and November, and keeps well.

— C.M. Hovey, The Fruits of America (1852)

Fameuse.

Pomme de Neige, | Sanguineus, | Snow.

Foreign, or rather Canadian origin. It is admirably adapted to all Northern sections, producing yearly, and always fair, smooth fruit. Tree, of moderate, rather diverging, habit; shoots dark; and, as an orchard tree, only of second size. Without being a fruit of high character, it is just so good that, taken with its production of regular, handsome fruit, it cannot be dispensed with. Tree, hardy and rich; strong or heavy soils suit it best; proves hardy West.

Size, medium; form, roundish, somewhat flattened; color, greenish yellow, mostly overspread with pale and dark rich red; stem, slender; cavity, narrow; calyx, small; basin, shallow, narrow; flesh, remarkably white, tender, juicy, with a slight perfume; core, close, compact; seeds, light brown, long pointed. October to January.

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

Fameuse. SNOW — CHIMNEY — POMME DE NEIGE. This is a favorite Northern fruit of great beauty. Origin uncertain — whether Canadian or French. It is greatly valued in the North and Northwest as an early winter apple. Tree vigorous, productive; Shoots red; Foliage dark, abundant. Fruit medium, round, regular; Surface pale waxen yellow, almost wholly covered deep red, made up of stripes and splashes that are not always traceable in the depth of color — absent where a portion of the apple has been shaded by a leaf; Dots minute. Basin medium, regular; Eye very small, closed. Cavity wide, wavy, green; Stem short. Core medium, heart-shaped, closed, meeting the eye; Seeds numerous, pointed, rich brown; Flesh snowy white, very tender, fine-grained, juicy; Flavor sub-acid, mild, delicately perfumed, not rich; Quality good; Use, dessert, kitchen, market; Season, October to December.

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

Fameuse.

Pomme de Neige. Sanguineus. Snow Chimney. Snow.

A very celebrated Canada fruit (probably an old French variety), which has its name from the snow-white color of its flesh, or, as some say, from the village from whence it was first taken to England. It is an excellent, productive, autumn apple, and is especially valuable in northern latitudes.

Tree moderately vigorous, round-headed, hardy. Young shoots reddish brown.

Fruit of medium size, roundish, somewhat flattened. Skin with a ground of pale greenish yellow, mixed with faint streaks of pale red on the shady side, but marked with blotches and short stripes of darker red, and becoming a fine deep red in the sun. Stalk quite slender, half an inch long, planted in a narrow funnel-shaped cavity. Calyx small, and set in a shallow, rather narrow basin. Flesh remarkably white, very tender, juicy, and with a slight perfume. Very good, almost best. Ripe in October and November. A regular bearer and a handsome dessert fruit.

There is a variety under name of Striped Fameuse, claimed to be distinct, the fruit being more striped and less highly colored.

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

Fameuse.* (Snow-apple, Pomme de Neige.) Medium in size, round, often oblate, even; handsomely striped and blotched with fine deep red on whitish ground—where much exposed, a deep, nearly uniform red; stalk three-fourths of an inch long, slender; cavity small; basin quite small, slightly wrinkled; flesh very white, juicy, sub-acid, a little spicy, exceedingly pleasant, but not very rich. Late autumn. Shoots dark, diverging, somewhat flexuous. Much admired as a table fruit for its handsome appearance and pleasant, refreshing flavor. Fig. 388.

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

FAMEUSE.

REFERENCES.

1. Forsyth, 1824:101. 2. Buel, N. Y. Bd. Agr. Mem., 1826:476. 3. London Hort. Soc. Cat., 1831:No. 757. 4. Kenrick, 1832:33. 5. Floy-Lindley, 1833:16. 6. Manning, 1838:55. 7. Ib., Mag. Hort., 7:45. 1841. 8. Downing, 1845:91. 9. Horticulturist, 1:257. 1846. 10. Thomas, Cultivator, 5:306. 1848. fig. 11. Ib., 1849:147. fig. 12. Cole, 1849:118. 13. Emmons, Nat. Hist. N. Y., 3:36. 1851. col. pl. No. 48. 14. Hovey, 2:7. 1851. col. pl. and fig. 15. Mag. Hort., 17:15. 1851. fig. 16. Goodrich, Ib., 17:122. 1851. 17. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1852. 18. Elliott, 1854:77. 19. Gregg, 1857:42. 20. Hooper, 1857:36, 107, 110. 21. Lothrop, Mag. Hort., 32:63. 1866. 22. Warder, 1867:595. 23. Todd, 1871:125. fig. 24. Fitz, 1872:145. 25. Leroy, 1873:483. 26. Montreal Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1876:12. 27. Jack, Ib., 6:61. 1880. 28. Ib., 8:140. 1881-82. 29. Hogg, 1884:58. 30. Hoskins, Rural N. Y., 47:249. 1888. 31. Wickson, 1889:245. 32. Montreal Hort. Soc. Rpt., 14:88, 89. 1889. 33. Lyon, Mich. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1890:290. 34. Montreal Hort. Soc. Rpt., 15:19, 26. 1890. 35. Bailey, An. Hort., 1892:239. 36. Ib., 1892:249. 37. Taylor, Me. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1892:57. 38. Amer. Gard., 14:425. 1893. 39. Burrill and McCluer, Ill. Sta. Bul., 45:321. 1896. 40. Can. Hort., 20:304. 1897. figs. 41. Woolverton, Ont. Fr. Stas. An. Rpt., 5:12. 1898. figs. 42. Can. Hort., 22:226. 1899. 43. Craig, Amer. Gard., 20:27. 1899. 44. Vt. Sta. Bul., 83:83-92. 1900. 45. Can. Hort., 24:236. 1901. 46. Waugh, Vt. Sta. An. Rpt., 14:293. 1901. 47. Budd-Hansen, 1903:82. fig. 48. Beach and Clark, N. Y. Sta. Bul., 248:120. 1904. 49. Scriber, Can. Hort., 28:277. 1905.

SYNONYMS. Chimney Apple (14, 16, 22, 25). DE NEIGE (3, 25, 29). De Neige (14, 15). du Marechal (25). FAMEUSE (1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 24, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48). Fameuse (5, 8, 25, 29, 36). La Belle Fameuse (43). La Fameuse (29). Neige (2). Neige-Framboise de Gielen (25). POMME DE NEIGE (5, 8). Pomme de Neige (4, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 41). Pomme de Nicge (1, 7, 12). Pomme Fameuse (3). Pomme de Fameuse (14, 15). Sanguineus (8, 14, 15, 18, 23, 25). SNOW (36). Snow (2, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 31, 33, 41, 43, 46, 47, 48).

Fameuse is one of the most desirable dessert apples of its season. It is very beautiful in appearance and the flesh is white, tender and excellent in flavor and quality for dessert. It is decidedly inferior to other varieties of its season for culinary purposes. It is well known in market, and during its season, which extends from October to the holidays, it usually sells above average market prices, particularly if well colored and free from scab or other imperfections. The fruit is often badly injured by the apple-scab fungus, but this may readily be controlled by proper preventive treatment.¹ It keeps well in cold storage. Some report that if free

¹N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 18:399-418. 1899. Ib., 82:331-386. 1903.

from scab it may be held as long as Rhode Island Greening (48). In the Champlain district and in portions of the St. Lawrence valley it is one of the most important varieties found in commercial orchards. Generally speaking, it grows to a higher degree of perfection in those districts than it does in other apple-growing regions of New York. In the more southern sections of the state it appears to succeed best in the high elevations and on light well drained soil with clay subsoil. The tree is of medium size, a moderate grower, hardy, healthy, rather long-lived, and a reliable cropper yielding good to heavy crops biennially or sometimes nearly annually. The fruit hangs pretty well to the tree. Fruit of marketable grades is fairly uniform in size, but there is a considerable amount of it that is too small for market. In those portions of New York south of Lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence valley the fruit does not usually develop its best color, and in some seasons, and particularly in unfavorable localities, it is so poorly colored as to be quite unsatisfactory. In such locations it is better for the fruit grower to plant McIntosh instead of Fameuse if he desires to grow a variety of the Fameuse group.

Historical. Waugh (44) gives the following historical account of the Fameuse. "The history of Fameuse is obscure, probably beyond clearing up satisfactorily, but extremely interesting as far as we know or can guess at it. The turning point of speculation for years has been as to whether the variety is of American or European origin. One of the most interesting contributions to this discussion was made by Mr. Chauncey Goodrich, (16) of Burlington, Vt., in 1851. We quote the following extracts from this article: 'It is here one of the most common as well as oldest varieties; hundreds of barrels are sold in a single season in this town alone. . . . All American writers call it a Canadian apple; of this I think there is no proof. One hundred and twenty years since, the French planted this variety on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, opposite Fort Frederick on Crown Point, at a place called ‘Chimney Point’ more than fifty years before any other permanent settlement. From these old trees cions have been scattered through Vermont, and called the Chimney apple. A very intelligent and highly educated French seigneur residing on an old seignory eighty miles below Quebec informed me that this was one of the first varieties of apples planted on the place; that the trees were very old and were brought from France. The early French settlers planted the same variety at Ogdensburg, Detroit, and other places on Lakes Erie and Ontario, where it is still known as the ‘Snow Apple’; also at Kaskaskia, Illinois, more than one hundred and fifty years since, where the old trees are still productive, and apples from them are sent to St. Louis, &c. The same apple may be found in France, and in London of the growth of France.'

"It is hardly to be supposed that a seedling apple was produced in Canada at so early a day as to be distributed more than a thousand miles in every settlement made by the French, one hundred and fifty years since.

"Another fact tending to suggest a European origin for Fameuse is that it is usually found in the old gardens, in company with well known European varieties of pears, apples and other fruits.

"On the other hand the testimony of European pomologists is mostly against the theory of a European origin. The variety is known in the larger collections of all the countries of Europe, just as Ben Davis is, and has been known there for many years. But most European authors unhesitatingly assign a Canadian origin to the variety; and the variety seems too little known, too little appreciated, and too little at home with European surroundings for us to believe it originated there. Those who call it a European apple usually assign its nativity to France; but Leroy (25) the greatest of all French, and perhaps of all European authorities, did not know the variety. He says that Le Lectier cultivated the Pomme de Neige (synonym of Fameuse) at Orleans (France) before 1628; but Leroy did not know whether or not this was the same Pomme de Neige grown in Canada. In fact he says, ‘I have never, up to the present time, met this apple Pomme de Neige on our soil. In place of it they have always sent me Calvill de Neige, ripening from January to March.’ Most of the so-called Snow apples of Europe, in fact, are white skinned and totally different from the Snow, or Fameuse, of America.

"It is agreed that, whether the Fameuse came from Europe or not, it was distributed by the earliest of the French missionaries and planted by the first settlers. Quebec was founded shortly before 1600 and Montreal in 1641. The seigniory du Cote de Beaupre, said to be the oldest seignory in Quebec, was granted in 1636 and promptly colonized. Thus we have almost a hundred years of French settlement and missionary activity prior to 1700, the approximate date at which, according to Mr. Goodrich, the Fameuse was brought to Vermont. This seems to allow ample time for a Canadian origin for the variety and for its wide distribution in Quebec, Ontario and the Northern states.

"The early distribution of apples, either from Europe to Canada, or from place to place on this continent, was accomplished chiefly, almost exclusively, by seeds. Some of the missionaries knew the art of grafting, but there was small encouragement to practice it. From these considerations, and others which cannot be fully argued here, the writer is firmly convinced that the Fameuse originated in Canada from seed brought from France."

TREE.

Tree vigorous, with long, moderately stout branches. Form upright spreading or roundish, rather dense. Twigs medium size, curved, stout; internodes short. Bark dark brown tinged with red, lightly coated with scarf-skin; pubescent. Lenticels scattering, small, round or somewhat oval, slightly raised. Buds medium size, flat, obtuse, free, pubescent.

FRUIT.

Fruit hardly averages medium but sometimes is above medium size. Form roundish inclined to conic, sometimes a little oblate, regular, uniform, symmetrical. Stem medium to short but sometimes long, rather slender. Cavity acute to somewhat acuminate, moderately deep to deep, rather wide, often gently furrowed, sometimes partly russeted but generally smooth and red or greenish. Calyx rather small, usually closed. Basin medium in width and depth, rather small, somewhat abrupt, obscurely furrowed or wrinkled, often having mammiform protuberances. Skin thin, tender, smooth, light bright red deepening to almost purplish black in highly colored specimens with a somewhat striped appearance toward the apex. In less highly colored specimens the striped effect is more noticeable. Dots few, scattering, light. Calyx tube narrow, funnel-form. Stamens median or somewhat basal. Core medium to rather small, axile; cells closed; core lines clasping. Carpels symmetrical, roundish or inclined to elliptical, somewhat emarginate, mucronate. Seeds dark, long, rather narrow, acute to acuminate. Flesh white, sometimes streaked or stained with red, very tender, juicy, subacid becoming very mild subacid or sweetish, aromatic, very good for dessert. Season October to midwinter.

— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 2 (1905)

Fameuse (Snow). — Origin probably in the French settlements on the St. Lawrence River from seed brought from France between 1600 and 1650. It was first propagated largely from seeds, and although it reproduces itself in this manner quite closely, many have proven sufficiently distinct to be propagated under separate names. The apples of the Fameuse type are discussed by Prof. F. A. Waugh in Vermont Experiment Station Bui. No. 83. Tree moderately vigorous, spreading, round-topped, an early bearer, very productive in alternate years.

Fruit medium, roundish, slightly flattened; surface pale, waxen yellow, almost or wholly covered with fine deep solid red, on shaded side and on specimens protected from the sun the coloring consists of stripes and splashes; dots minute, obscure; cavity narrow, wavy, acute, green; stem short, medium, slender; basin shallow, rather narrow, smooth; calyx small, closed; segments short divergent. Core small, closed, barely clasping; cells ovate, entire; tube funnel-shaped; stamens marginal; seeds long, pointed; flesh snow-white, often stained with red, very tender, juicy, fine-grained, perfumed, mild subacid. Very good. October, December.

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

Fameuse

Fameuse is in its season one of the most desirable of dessert apples. It is very beautiful in appearance; the flesh is white, tender, excellent in flavor and quality for dessert. But it is decidedly inferior to other varieties in its season for culinary purposes. Its market season in the Northern states, is from October to the holidays, and it usually sells for good prices. It is more susceptible than most other varieties to apple scab fungus, but since the adoption of spraying methods this is kept well under control. The tree is of medium size, a moderate grower, hardy, healthy, rather long lived, and a reliable cropper yielding good to heavy crops biennially, sometimes annually.

Historical. The history of the Fameuse is uncertain; but the preponderance of evidence seems to be that it originated in Canada among the French colonists on the eastern shores of Lake Champlain. It has one peculiar characteristic, which made its dissemination more rapid than that of most other varieties, and that is, it produces reasonably true to type, from the planting of the seed. However, there is more tendency to variation by planting from seed than from the ordinary method of grafting or budding. As a result there have been a number of varieties originated from the Fameuse, among which are Bloom, Brilliant, Canada Baldwin, Fameuse Noire, Fameuse Sucre, La Victoire, Louise, McIntosh, Hilaire, Shiawassee.

Fruit small to medium size, roundish, sometimes a little oblate, regular, uniform symmetrical. Cavity acute, moderately deep, rather wide, often gently furrowed, sometimes partly russeted; but generally smooth and greenish red. In the Northwest it is often a deep red.

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

FAMEUSE. Ronalds, p. I., F., De Neige. (Snow, Royal Snow, Sanguineous.) Dessert, November to January, small, 2¼ by 2¼, round, flattened, regular. Colour, brilliant red flush almost covering fruit. Flesh, crisp, white, flavour poor. Eye, a little open in a shallow ribbed basin. Stem, slender in a round even narrow cavity. Growth, vigorous ; fertility, good. Leaf, medium, narrow, held out, nearly flat, sharply serrate. Origin, probably Canadian ; known before the seventeenth century. Known in England about 1800. Of no value in Britain. Notable for its white flesh.

— E.A. Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920)

FAMEUSE. Fig. 20. Snow. Few apples are more beautiful and more refreshing than those of Fameuse. If the tender skin of light and shaded red be cut through, flesh of snowy whiteness rimmed and stained with crimson is exposed, beautiful to sight and delectable to smell and taste. Fameuse, commonly and aptly called Snow, belongs to Canada and the high altitudes and northern latitudes of the United States, where, alone, the apples reach perfection, and the trees attain vigor, health, and longevity. The variety has several serious faults; thus, the apples are small and keep only until Christmas; fruit and tree are inviting prey to apple-scab; and the trees are very fastidious as to soils. Fameuse is of Canadian origin, with a history of at least 200 years. It is the parent of a score or more of worthy offspring.

20. Fameuse. (X⅔)

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, dense, with long, stout branches. Fruit medium size, round-conic, sometimes oblate, regular, uniform, symmetrical; stem medium to short, sometimes long, slender; cavity acute, deep, wide, often gently furrowed, sometimes russeted but generally smooth and red or green; calyx small, closed; basin medium in width and depth, abrupt, obscurely furrowed or wrinkled, often having mammiform protuberances; skin thin, tender, smooth, bright red deepening to dark red in highly-colored specimens, striped toward the apex; dots few, scattering, light; calyx-tube narrow, funnel-form; stamens median; core small, axile; cells closed; core-lines clasping; carpels symmetrical, round or elliptical, emarginate, mucronate; seeds dark, long, narrow, acute; flesh white, streaked or stained with red, very tender, juicy, subacid becoming mild subacid, aromatic; very good; October to midwinter.

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

Planted Spring 1890. Tree a vigorous grower. Fruit of medium size, roundish, a little flattened. Skin greenish yellow, nearly covered with two shades of red. Flesh white, juicy, tender, quality very good. Season October and November.

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

Handsomely striped with deep red on whitish ground, often a deep, uniform crimson—very beautiful. Desirable as a dessert variety, good quality and very hardy. Of the Fameuse group, McIntosh and Wismer Dessert are best. NNCS

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